Do I need Java installed?

JethroUK

Keep getting annoying Java Runtime Update requests popping up - which i just suppress

Java install is about 467328165472647124 gigabytes of my PC space

Cant remember the last time my PC needed it for anything - I think it was when I played a ZX Spectrum emulator online about 3 years ago

I'm trying to have a bit of a spring clean on my PC and uninstall anything I dont use daily

waddler_8

Uninstall it. If something needs it function properly it'll soon tell you.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you are using Open Office, I think it is needed for some of its functions.

waddler_8

OpenOffice: http://www.openoffice.org/download/common/java.html

If you do need it for a local app, it must be kept updated (Don't suppress the update prompts). I would suggest disabling it in your web browsers.

http://www.java.com/en/download/help/disable_browser.xml

Vulnerabilities in the latest version are being targeted in the wild by malcoder's exploits.

http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2013/02/yaj0-yet-another-java-zero-day-2.html

http://www.securelist.com/en/analysis/204792255/Kaspersky_Security_Bulletin_2012_The_overall_statistics_for_2012#4

Vulnerable applications targeted by malicious users

While we called 2011 the year of the vulnerability, 2012 can justifiably be described as the year of the Java vulnerability, with half of all detected exploit-based attacks targeting vulnerabilities in Oracle Java.

fenlander_uk

I uninstalled it months ago and waited for applications to complain. Absolutely nothing happened.

JethroUK

Uninstalled

Ill just see how I get along without it

Avoriaz

JethroUK wrote: »

Java install is about 467328165472647124 gigabytes of my PC space

That is some disk you have there.

johnnyboyrebel

JethroUK wrote: »

Keep getting annoying Java Runtime Update requests popping up - which i just suppress

Java install is about 467328165472647124 gigabytes of my PC space

Cant remember the last time my PC needed it for anything - I think it was when I played a ZX Spectrum emulator online about 3 years ago

I'm trying to have a bit of a spring clean on my PC and uninstall anything I dont use daily

You'll be surprised how many things actually use java and not just on your pc! If there is an update for anything, you can't go wrong just updating it. Sure, it may take up a bit of space but for maximum performance you then have everything covered and up to date.

Ectophile

I uninstalled it from my PC. Nothing happened.

If you do find you need it, then re-install the latest version, then disable the plug-in in your web browser.

Ratboy

As I understand it, you need Java to run FB Games and the like, as the OP suggested, but the amount of space it was using is a joke obviously kb rather than Gb..

Just install it as needed at next Windows upgrade, or when requested.

I always thought Java based games to introduce viruses, as they use unscripted text, then assembled locally, so they can sneak viruses through?? And Java is used on phones also?

Be happy for someone to clear that up.

agrinnall

I uninstalled it a few weeks ago after all the recent kerfuffle about security issues, I haven't yet come across anything that's complained because it's not there. It's never been on the laptop I use for work and I've never experienced any problems on that either. I don't game so perhaps if I did I might have a different view, but as things stand I can't see me needing to re-install it.