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