What is OpenAL doing on the list of installed programs?

Cantaloupe · Dec 18, 2010

By accident, I found out that OpenAL (no other details given) is on the list of installed programs on my Win7 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

Combine · Dec 18, 2010

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

stormy13 · Dec 18, 2010

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).

Cantaloupe · Jan 15, 2011

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

OceanicAirlines · Jan 15, 2011

OpenAL

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.

Cantaloupe · Jan 29, 2011

OceanicAirlines said:
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

BammerNJ · Apr 9, 2014

Just a suggestion, something that I have done in the past which has been helpful.

Go to your list of installed programs

Find the entry for OpenAL
Look at the "Installed On" column and take note of the date
Now click on the header/Title of the "Installed On" column (this should order all of the software entries by install date)

Now look down the Installed Programs list and find the "Installed On" date on which your OpenAL was installed.
You should see OpenAL and all the other programs that were installed on that date. This should help you narrow down what program may have installed OpenAL.

Hope this was helpful
Bammer

phlibby · Dec 23, 2014

OpenAL

I just noticed it installed along with my X-FI Sound Card Driver Pack. I believe it is a helper for the driver to emulate a virtual atmosphere.

Poor Tech · May 6, 2016

AL OpenAL what is it?

Do not Panic!, you probably installed or updated your GO-Pro or some sort of Audio Software,The new Go-Pro software and some Audio Software use and install the "AL OpenAL".

I believe this sloppy programming , any company that uses a third party helper software should warn the user before installing it, but they don't.

Have a Good one!

rel · Aug 20, 2016

Yup, I found it installed the same day I installed GoPro Studio and other GoPro software.

neil9327 · Mar 1, 2017

I had the same thing, and found that OpenAL was installed at the same time as Quik, which is software for a GoPro camera.
I have uninstalled both now.

Jam22 · Jan 22, 2018

I had the same question about OpenAL. I read the replies, but my broader question is Why there is no Publisher listed. I am uncomfortable having any program installed in my computer where the Publisher is unknown or not listed. If the developer had listed the Publisher, it would probably have prevented many questions; but maybe that was the design. And yes I am paranoid about anonymous programs being installed on my computer without my knowledge. Just because ypu are papranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.

Layback Bear · Jan 22, 2018

Jam22 welcome to our forum.

Their is nothing wrong with a little paranoia. Paranoia is another layer of security protection.

Jack

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