Java updater

G_M

To clarify, the reason I dislike the constant update requests is that I have a download limit, so always do manual updates - at times when my download limit isn't affected. Java just keeps on reminding me to update....endlessly!

To confirm the info provided so far:
* Java is needed for a number of applications so I should not uninstall
* Java is not needed (so I asume I can uninstall)
* Java should be updated regularly to avoid infection
* Java needn't be updated as it is rare for infection to come via Java
* Disabling Java in startup via CCleaner will stop the pop-ups (Done this now - pop up update reminders continue!)
* Firefox needs to be updated (strange - I don't use Firefox)
* Java and Javascript should not be confused (I'm confused - what do Java and Javascript do?)

Many thanks for the comments to date. ......

free4440273

To clarify, the reason I dislike the constant update requests is that I have a download limit, so always do manual updates - at times when my download limit isn't affected. Java just keeps on reminding me to update....endlessly!

^^how often then?

aliEnRIK

I only mentioned about firefox for anyone that does use it as clearly whatever main plugin (java, flash etc) works with IE needs to work with firefox

GunJack

If you're having issues, then I'd uninstall java and download and re-install it - the updates for java should be fairly infrequent, couple of months or so apart. The newer versions uninstall the previous version as part of the install process, so unless you've got REALLY old versions still on your pc, they shouldn't cause too many problems.....

GunJack

in fact, uninstall ALL older versions before starting again...

G_M

DeltaTwo wrote: »

Javascript has nothing to do with Java,
Javascript is a scripting language and is run in the browser. Thanks.

Java.....is used less and less these days, mostly replaced by javascript and flash. Thanks.

....
I switched off my auto updates and only did the occasional one manually.
To switch off the updates, you need to get into 2 or 3 settings, as well as the Service, annoying. That's what I need help with. Tried unsuccessfully.
Even though i switched off the updater, other files would still attempt to run at startup, really annoying!

I found i needed it less and less and the few functions on certain sites were not critical to me, so i uninstalled it completely on this particular pc. If I can't switch off updater, uninstall is next option.

how often then?

Several times a day.

The newer versions uninstall the previous version as part of the install process, so unless you've got REALLY old versions still on your pc, they shouldn't cause too many problems.....

I seem to have V6.20. I believe 6.23 is the latest.

Thanks all.

Hammyman

poppy10 wrote: »

Download CCleaner and run it as administrator. Then you can go to Tools>Startup and delete the entry for Sun Java update scheduler. Problem solved.

Java is one of the more annoying updates - the update files are huge, they install alongside rather than replacing old versions, taking up even more space on your hard drive, and they are pointless - hardly any consumer malware targets Java as a vector.

BWAHAHA. What excellent advice - turn off the updater for one of the most commonly exploited bits of software.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?aq=java+exploit

spud17

If you click the Java icon in Control Panel, then find the 'Update' tab, you can set it to check for updates e.g. monthly.

Can't check exactly, as not on MS.

G_M

spud17 wrote: »

If you click the Java icon in Control Panel, then find the 'Update' tab, you can set it to check for updates e.g. monthly.

Can't check exactly, as not on MS.

?? Control Panel has no Java icon.

Thanks Delta Two

If you really want to disable the updates, and as you can see from above, there are often important ones, and yours, Update 20 was a major update for security fixes over Update 19,
then it's probably a good idea to at least do the occasional manual one.

Always my intention - just want to do it when I want to do it, not want Java wants me to do it!
Checked 'control panel/uninstall' and I seem to have
Java (TM) 6 Update 18 (64 bit)
Java (TM) 6 Update 20

Going for the uninstall option as the others don't work. Java just doesn't allow switch off of updater! See how it affects my usage.....

spud17

?? Control Panel has no Java icon.

Don't know what you've got then, showing here in XP and Win7, and always has.