Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

[BJB]

I have no idea what this feature does but my ThinkPad has 9 versions of it, see attached pic. Is this normal? Are they all required? I ask because my Win 7 is very slow to fire up, though fine once up and running, and I'm going through the whole repertoire here - checking startups, checking errors in event viewer, updating drivers etc, so far without much sign of improvement.

 

[A Guy]

It is normal to have multiple versions. Windows adds them to the WinSxS folder and the application picks the version it needs

Each has its own runtime libraries. Each is independent and the various programs needing them will call the one needed. These are not the reason for your slowdown. If you haven't seen these already:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174750-boot-times-monitor-event-viewer.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html

A Guy

 

[BJB]

Thank you. I will study all of that. I see that my ThinkPad has a load of Lenovo utilities built in which I suspect are contributing to the startup problem. I know they are not essential as I also installed 8.1 on this same machine and it boots in no time at all and doesn't have any of the pre-installed Lenovo stuff. However the last time I tried removing it the system had problems and I had to restore an image. Any advice on that?

 

[maxie]

Hi there .. Can you remember which Lenovo products you had problems with when you removed them ? I have an Lenovo too though not the same Model as yours .. The only software i have is the Lenovo Energy and Boot Optimizer .. Maybe you have a lot more Bloatware than i had .. They seems to dish out more and more each year ...

 

[BJB]

Far as I can recollect I uninstalled all the Lenovo software in one session. There were problems afterwards but it was over a year ago and I can't now remember just what. I restored an image and here's what the system has now. I've probably already dumped some stuff.

Lenovo Auto Scroll Utility x64
Lenovo Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Technology
Lenovo patch Utility (32 and 64 bit)
Lenovo Power Management Driver x64
Lenovo Registration
Lenovo Solution Center x64
Lenovo System Update
Lenovo User Guide
Lenovo Warranty Information
Lenovo Welcome
Message Center Plus
On Screen Display x64
Power Manager
RapidBoot HDD Accelerator - ha ha
RapidBoot Shield x64
Rescue and Recovery (the factory restore system, not needed)
ThinkVantage Access Connections
ThinkVantage Active Protection System x64
ThinkVantage Communications Utility x64

Quite some list isn't it? Many of these obviously I can just dump but it's knowing which ones it's best to leave. When I look in CCleaner there are also other Lenovo startups, such as tpshocks.exe and TPKNRRES.exe which I have no idea about at all.

I'll most likely not rush it and just take em out one at a time, especially as I'm simultaneously updating over 20 drivers DriverMax has updates for. Macrium is going to be kept busy

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
There are a few .NET applications and perhaps others that make use of the visual C++ re-distributable modules. For instance some versions of NERO / WINAMP etc etc. Almost anything that puts popup windows on your screen will use this. (Maybe applications today might not but certainly 2013 and earlier). (By POPUP here I'm not talking about commercials / advertisements but often boxes presenting you with a checkbox and the OK / Cancel buttons).

Later versions of the C++ redistributable package may supplant / replace earlier versions such as the fairly ubiquitous 2005 version but they can co-exist together. The install will sort out any requirements automatically.

I'd also stick well clear of sites like DRIVERMAX - a lot of ad / spy / trialware gets installed via sites like these. It's easier these days to search manually for what you need.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[maxie]

Nothing in the list seems much good .. The only reason i kept the Power Management is it controls the Function Keys and i like the Battery Care .. As for TPKNRRES.exe its a communications controller and uses a lot of the CPU not needed .. Also the tpshocks.exe is a core process of the ThinkPad active protection program and no, you don't want or need it with an SSD. The program can be uninstalled

 

[BJB]

tpshocks.exe is a core process of the ThinkPad active protection program and no, you don't want or need it with an SSD. The program can be uninstalled

No SSD, much as I'd like one, so I think I'll retain the active protection system. Thanks.