Windows 7: How many JAVA installations should I keep?

Espinoza · 01 Oct 2012

In Control Panel, Programs and Features I found by order of installation date the following JAVA programs, and I guess I do not need them all. Seeking your advice to learn which ones can I delete.
1. JAVA FX 2.1.1 Oracle. 21.06.2012
2. JAVA (TM) 7 Update 5 Oracle 21.06.2012
3. JAVA (TM) 6 Update 22 Oracle 28.03.2012
4. JAVA (TM) 6 Update 26 Oracle 09.08 2011
5. JAVA (TM) SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 1 Sun Microsoft System 12.09.2007

stormy13 · 01 Oct 2012

Just the latest version, which you don't have at the moment. Uninstall all of them (except Java FX assuming you are actually using it) and install the latest,

Download Free Java Software

DavidW7ncus · 01 Oct 2012

I uninstalled all Java from some PC's because of security issues with Java.
If i find something is missing that requires Java, I'll re-install what is needed for that.

I think it depends on what sites/programs you use that need Java.
If you don't have the required Java, you should get prompted to install what is needed...

I always create a System Backup Image before making changes like this.

Qub1 · 02 Oct 2012

Yeah what stormy13 said, you can just uninstall all but the latest version. That is because each version of java is backwards compatible, meaning that they are able to understand all the stuff the older versions were able to do. Also keeping the older versions might make your pc more vulnerable to infections because they can contain exploits which are often used by malicious java applets you find on the internet.

Britton30 · 02 Oct 2012

I'm with DavidW7ncus on this, I don't use Java. In my case if s site wants to install it I figure I don't really need to see it anyway.

Qub1 · 02 Oct 2012

Yeah that is true, unless you really need it to display certain content on a site Java is like the doorway that malicious sites can use to access your files. Unless you keep it up to date and remove the older versions it can easily get you infected. It happened to me twice in a row, once even with the newest version installed, so be careful.

Espinoza · 03 Oct 2012

Have read answer received and still I am not sure of what I must do safely.
It looks as if I can delete all versions except the last one and then ask to
install the latest one that somebody say I do not have. Thaks to all for their
replies and help.

Espinoza · 03 Oct 2012

Thread sould be closed

Britton30 · 03 Oct 2012

You will have a Solved button in your posts.

Andreas W · 03 Oct 2012

Would like to mention that you dont really need to have java or flash installed since all browsers now got that built in to them, and the actuall programs that is on your computer that uses java is pretty few so I would say uninstall them all and if some program you have require it you will get prompted to install java. I dont see the point in having it on your computer if nothing uses it, same with flash

Windows 7: How many JAVA installations should I keep?

How many JAVA installations should I keep? problems?