Do I need Microsoft Silverlight

[margrave]

I have Silverlight installed on this Win 7 desktop, and it receives occasional updates. But I wonder: Do I need it? Is it in use? How would I know?

I know that it's Microsoft's answer to Adobe Flash. But in a Flash-dominated world, I don't know where or when Silverlight gets used, if at all. How can I find out if it's being used on my PC?

 

[indianacarnie]

I myself don't have it installed on my machine. NO problems at all. I haven't found any sites/videos etc. that I couldn't view without it. Now.... I do think I've heard .... somewhere .... that Netflix (maybe) needs it, but as I don't use Netflix I can't vouch for that. My bottom line is ...... no you don't need it. (MY opinion)

 

[shadow2201]

I myself don't have it installed on my machine. NO problems at all. I haven't found any sites/videos etc. that I couldn't view without it. Now.... I do think I've heard .... somewhere .... that Netflix (maybe) needs it, but as I don't use Netflix I can't vouch for that. My bottom line is ...... no you don't need it. (MY opinion)

Yes Netflix uses it, you can't view Netflix without it. From my understanding, for the general user, it is mostly used in different video streaming services. So I don't think it's necessary to have unless you stream a lot of video's on certain sites, I think ABC and sites like that use it to stream their videos at times. The thing is, you don't necessarily need it, but it's also not hurting you to have it, sure it takes up space, but it's not slowing you down, and if you don't use it, you'll never know it's there, so I would say just keep it there and maybe sometime in the future you might use it, if not, no harm done.

 

[Tookeri]

I've only needed it for Microsoft sites. Here's a highly recommended one if you're interested in security:
Malware Hunting with the Sysinternals Tools | TechEd North America 2012 | Channel 9

When you watch a video you can right-click in the video and see if the pop-up menu says Flash Player, HTML5 Player, or Silverlight

Before you uninstall Silverlight you could just disable the add-on in your browser and wait a few weeks to see if you run into any webpages with a video that doesn't play. If so then maybe you do need it

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep only Microsoft help videos and Netflix uses Silverlight,
I don't use either so Silverlight is not installed,
Cheers.

 

[DuLee]

Good question. Good answers.

The OP had a good question. I had forgotten all about Silverlight until last week's Microsoft Update in which they updated some Silverlight files. I suppose now my question is: since I apparently have Silverlight installed (and updated) should I just leave it alone as it never causes any apparent problems ... or should I uninstall it?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
It's all personal preference to have it or not,
It's released through the windows update system so if you auto load windows updates it will just reload.

I personally leave it to collect dust in the optional updates section because hiding it just brings up another version.

 

[torchwood]

and

Its a requirement in the Uk, if your ISP is Sky and you want to use the Skygo ap.

 

[GokAy]

I personally leave it to collect dust in the optional updates section because hiding it just brings up another version.

It comes back like 5-6 times when hidden, once for each version upgrade. When you hide them, you don't get them offered again, until a new version comes out. I have them hidden (just one entry in hidden updates screen) and don't get offered a new one. Been like this for 5 weeks now (since I installed OS).

 

[Barman58]

Silverlight is used by various content providers in the UK, and I assume other markets, As stated SkyGo, Netflix and I think a few of the general catch up TV providers BBC iPlayer Etc

I use several of these so have it loaded, when i needed it works, when I don't it causes no issues

 

[Tookeri]

I keep it installed + updated in case I need it someday, but I always have Silverlight disabled in all browsers. Just like Flash.

It's still disabled after upgrade

 

[GokAy]

Quoting myself, just wanted to correct my mistake:

I have them hidden (just one entry in hidden updates screen) and don't get offered a new one.

This update is offered 7 times, and there are 7 entries in Hidden Updates window. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Boozad]

This has been sitting here for as along as I can remember, it must overwrite itself judging by the date of release. I don't have any problems without it so I obviously don't use any services that require it to be installed, but at work the W7 PCs are getting the Silverlight pop-up all the time. I guess you don't have to install it if you don't need it, if you get the pop-up that tells you that you need it then install it.

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Or, stop being as anal as me and just install it anyway, it won't hurt anything.

 

[ThrashZone]

Quoting myself, just wanted to correct my mistake:

I have them hidden (just one entry in hidden updates screen) and don't get offered a new one.

This update is offered 7 times, and there are 7 entries in Hidden Updates window. Sorry for the confusion.

Yea that's why I don't bother hiding them and just leave it to collect dust like Boozad shows

 

[GokAy]

Well, I am not offered the update anymore though, and will only get it again on next version update, whenever that may be.