Solved Rationalising multiple versions of installed programs

[swiftie]

Is it safe to remove close duplicate programs from "Programs and Features" ?

For example, my system shows:
Amazon MP3 Downloader 1.0.17
Amazon MP3 Downloader 1.0.18

Whilst I'm sure I don't want 1.0.17, I'm leery about removing it for fear that doing so might damage the 1.0.18 version.
In this case, it would be simple to re-instate the program from Amazon, but some of the duplicated programs contain data that I may find hard to recover, if something deletes it...

 

[Ztruker]

If they install to the same folder, don't. If separate folders should be okay.

Create an image backup first so you can recover if things go bad.

 

[RolandJS]

OP is correct to be concerned. Some programs, not many, build upon the previous installs. Previous poster mentioning installs into same directory - correct! I found that out the hard way, once.

 

[swiftie]

Well, I found out about "different directory" the hard way...
My Kindle for PC program had three instances, one under C:\Program Files\... and two under C:\Users\Steve\Appdata\...
I checked which one was in use (corresponded to the desktop icon) and deleted the \Program Files\ version...
All three instances disappeared. Not really a total surprise, and easily rectified as a re-install from Amazon restored everything; I didn't even have to re-enter my ID/pw. The collateral benefit was that I ended up with a newer version.

I'm going to ignore such duplicates in future. Well, at least until next week, when my ageing brain will have forgotten this salutary lesson. :-(

Please forgive me for marking my own post as the solution, but I want my experience emphasised, so I don't get sued.