Need to free memory

[assiral]

Do I need to uninstall or delete previous versions of programs? e.g. : I have
latest version of Java but my computer's C drive still keeps the two previous
versions. Same goes for all the security updates that Microsoft does
automatically. Do the latest versions replace the older ones?

 

[JS]

You can and should delete the earlier versions of JAVA.

As for Windows security updates they should not be deleted/uninstalled.

 

[VanguardLH]

Do I need to uninstall or delete previous versions of programs? e.g. : I have
latest version of Java but my computer's C drive still keeps the two previous
versions. Same goes for all the security updates that Microsoft does
automatically. Do the latest versions replace the older ones?

So what does memory have to do with your question? You really need to
free the *disk* space occupied by those files?

Some programs may still require earlier versions of Java. Not every
subsequent release of Java is wholly backward compatible with prior
versions, and programs may rely on features or behavior from prior
versions. However, if a program requires an earlier version of Java
then they should check for that and alert you. Usually they just check
for a minimal version and assume the functionality they expect to have
available will be available in that version or later. In most cases,
uninstall all versions of Java and just download and install the latest
one. That will reduce your *disk* space (but nothing regarding memory
consumption).

The $<name> folders are only needed should you ever need to uninstall
that patch, hotfix, or service pack. If you never intend to go backward
(or you will simply flatten your host and install a fresh instance of
the OS) then you don't need those subfolders. Alternatively, you could
just zip them into a compressed archive file to keep them around.
Removing the $<name> folders will not remove their entries in the
Add/Remove Programs applet.

 

[Peter Foldes]

You do not have the latest version of JAVA. If you would then you would not see the
previous versions still being there. The latest version removes all previous
versions of Java when installing.

As far as freeing up space refer to the post by VanguardLH

 

[Malke]

You do not have the latest version of JAVA. If you would then you would
not see the previous versions still being there. The latest version
removes all previous versions of Java when installing.

As far as freeing up space refer to the post by VanguardLH

Actually, this isn't quite true. One of the major complaints against Sun is
that their updates won't automatically uninstall the earlier, still
vulnerable versions of Java. I've found that their very latest installer
(update 13) will remove one previous version. However, if there are
multiple previous versions on a machine it won't remove all of them.

To the OP: As you've been told, you should only have one version of Java
installed. The latest version (Version 6 Update 13) can be found here:

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Malke

 

[assiral]

Thanks for the info and for clarifying the "memory" vs. "disk space" thing.

I do have the 6 and 13 Java update as my computer checks for latest versions
automatically and in fact I noticed that the programs folder lists updates
10, 11, and then skips to 13.

Thanks

 

[Twayne]

Do I need to uninstall or delete previous versions of programs? e.g.
: I have latest version of Java but my computer's C drive still keeps
the two previous versions. Same goes for all the security updates
that Microsoft does automatically. Do the latest versions replace
the older ones?

Although in some circles, disk space is considered memory, it's more
often referred to as disk space for clarity. Mamory can refer to a lot
of things.

Yes, if there are programs you don't use any longer, uninstall them. A
few can just be deleted but that's not the norm, so be very carfeful.
Go thru your add/remove to see what you might be able to do without.

It's unlikely but remotely possible you might want the security update
stuff for uninstalling updates, but very unlikely. If you're positive
you'll never want to uninstall any updates, then go ahead and delete
those.
Otherwise, zip them up and save them on CD or something just in case,
and store them away. Then delete them from the drive.
Deleting those will not free up much disk space though. You've better
off buying another hard drive.

Java you only need the latest version.
Some programs in some very few cases want a specific version of Java
though; I have one of those. They also though, usually install the java
to their own folder structure because they don't want future versions
causingt it to be deleted.
Again, zip them up and delete them. If everything still works fine,
delete the zip. If not, you have it to put back. I suspect you won't
find anything go wrong.

None of that is going to recover much space for you though and it also
won't last for long. You really need to look for a larger hard drive.

In case you actually mean memory as in RAM, well, that's another story.
RAM is also cheap these days. XP in normal situations seems to be
happiest with 1 Gig or RAM.

HTH,

Twayne`

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Do I need to uninstall or delete previous versions of programs? e.g. : I
have
latest version of Java but my computer's C drive still keeps the two
previous
versions. Same goes for all the security updates that Microsoft does
automatically. Do the latest versions replace the older ones?

Not necessarily.

Some applications require *specific* versions of Java and will not function
with other versions.

For example, I have a Thinkpad laptop and the system utility software
requires and includes a specific (and older) Java version. That Java
version will *not* work with the Blackboard system (an educational suite
used by many universities), and the utility will *not* work with the Java
version Blackboard requires. So, for both of these to work, both Java
versions must be present.

Java isn't that big, so unless there is an actual functional problem that
you're experiencing, I'd suggest leaving them where they are.

As to the MS updates, if you're looking in the Windows folders, you're
seeing the uninstallers for various hotfixes and updates. If you're sure
you will never remove them, you can delete these folders, but in the end,
they aren't taking that much space either.

If your system is running out of space, hard disks are not expensive, and
you can easily download full-functioning free demo versions of drive imaging
software, which will allow you to quickly transfer everything to a (much)
larger drive.

HTH
-pk

 

[Peter Foldes]

TY for the info Malke