Windows 7 - What is OpenAL doing on the list of installed programs?

By accident, I found out that OpenAL (no other details given) is on the list of installed programs on my Windows 7 64bit machine. Seems to be related to Creative Labs(?). My machine has VIA audio and I have not knowingly installed this thing.

Any ideas what this is, what it does and where it may have come from?

Thanks,
C

When there's something you don't know, just google it .

OpenAL provides capabilities for playing audio in a virtual 3D environment.

Have a look here -> OpenAL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And this is its official page -> Home - OpenAL

Probably find that it got installed with a game that uses OpenAL for its audio engine. Most will install the necessary files in the game's install directory, but some will install it separately (sort of like games that use Nvidia's Physx whether you have a Nvidia card or not, as it is required by the game to run).

I have not installed any game hence my question. In fact I very much doubt I installed anything that has to do with sound

It's also built-into a lot of app's and you'll find it on a lot of "unofficial" applications.

It's becoming (albeit, non-malicious,) 7's "Viewpoint Media Player" equivalent.

Thanks for this tip