Annoying Java update message

I've recently bought a new Windows 7 computer, and every two days or so I've been getting a message shortly after bootup that a new version of Java is available to be installed. As I don't use Java, I ignored it the first few times, but eventually I gave in and allowed it to install itself.

Then today, I got the same message again. I allowed it to do its thing and sure enough it then displayed a message that the version concerned was already installed and asked if I wanted to re-install it!! Of course I said no, but I'd like to know why the original message was still appearing even after the installation had been completed.

I checked the installed program list in the Control Panel and it's showing that I have the following two Java versions installed:

Java(TM) 6 Update 14 (64-bit) V6.0.140
Java(TM) 6 Update 17 V6.0.170

I assume the second one must be a 32-bit version as it doesn't state that it's 64-bit.

As I said, I don't consciously make any use of Java and I'm not sure whether I even need these two software items on the computer anyway. Basically I use the computer for email, web browsing, MS Office Professional 2003, image viewing and playback of video clips - so I don't do any Java-based development.

I'm happy to leave the software there provided I can be sure that I won't be getting these annoying install messages. Can anyone suggest how I can put a stop to them?

Java is always updating itself now'a'days. Install them and be safe

Latest Java version (32 & 64) should be Version 6 Update 18. You can install these by using IE 32-bit and then using IE 64-bit and going to java.com in each browser.

I believe; however, that if you go into Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel and remove Java, the update reminders will be gone forever.

An older version was probably pre-installed on the PC before you got it.

Spidey1976 said:

Latest Java version (32 & 64) should be Version 6 Update 18. You can install these by using IE 32-bit and then using IE 64-bit and going to java.com in each browser.

I believe; however, that if you go into Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel and remove Java, the update reminders will be gone forever.

An older version was probably pre-installed on the PC before you got it.

Thanks for this. The thing is, I'm not sure whether I need Java on the computer or not - I'm not very knowledgeable about Java. Is it needed only for Java developers or is it advisable to keep it even though I'm only an "ordinary" computer user?

The only kind of programming I ever do is Visual Basic stuff in MS Access 2003 and writing occasional Word macros in MS Word 2003.

I don't really have a list, but it powers some web sites and applications. You could just uninstall it, and then if you find later that you need it, just go to java.com: Java + You and install the latest version... its always free :)

I really can't remember any websites off hand that require it, so see how far you can get without it.

Spidey1976 said:

I don't really have a list, but it powers some web sites and applications. You could just uninstall it, and then if you find later that you need it, just go to java.com: Java + You and install the latest version... its always free :)

I really can't remember any websites off hand that require it, so see how far you can get without it.

Well if there are websites that make use of it, I think I'll keep it. As long as these update messages only appear when there's a new version, I can live with that. I haven't had any more spurious messages since that one I mentioned, so maybe it was just some kind of glitch.

Thanks for your response anyway. :)