Do I really need Java?

[MrBill]

I have J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0, Update 6 installed on my system
on the advice of one of the tips I got in this news group, but knowing
nothing about this package I'm wondering if I really need it? Here's
some of my reasons for possibly uninstalling Java:

- I've read that it slows down IE.

- I am not programming code that requires Java capabilities.

- It seems every time Norton AntiVirus comes out with a new virus DAT
file, it finds a couple of new trojans in my Java ZIP files. Since I
have a good firewall running at all times, it's not likely these
trojans will ever be executed by someone coming into my system through
the Internet, but these trojans that NAV keeps finding make me VERY
uneasy!

- Java is huge . . . uninstalling it would free up disk space, speed
up my full hard disk backups, and speed up NAV full disk scans.

Of course there are probably good reasons to keep Java, but I need
someone to tell me what these are . . . thanks!

- Bill

Bill(at)AA4M.Com
E-mail: Change "(at) to "@"

 

[Vagabond Software]

I have J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0, Update 6 installed on my system
on the advice of one of the tips I got in this news group, but knowing
nothing about this package I'm wondering if I really need it? Here's
some of my reasons for possibly uninstalling Java:

- I've read that it slows down IE.

- I am not programming code that requires Java capabilities.

- It seems every time Norton AntiVirus comes out with a new virus DAT
file, it finds a couple of new trojans in my Java ZIP files. Since I
have a good firewall running at all times, it's not likely these
trojans will ever be executed by someone coming into my system through
the Internet, but these trojans that NAV keeps finding make me VERY
uneasy!

- Java is huge . . . uninstalling it would free up disk space, speed
up my full hard disk backups, and speed up NAV full disk scans.

Of course there are probably good reasons to keep Java, but I need
someone to tell me what these are . . . thanks!

- Bill

Java has always been a security nightmare. Having said that, the risks can
be mitigated through safe computing and enabling real-time file system
scanning with an antivirus program (enabled is the default in most).

You'll need java to run any application written in java, such as your
favorite Texas Hold'em game.

Carl

 

[Doug Kanter]

I have J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0, Update 6 installed on my system
on the advice of one of the tips I got in this news group, but knowing
nothing about this package I'm wondering if I really need it? Here's
some of my reasons for possibly uninstalling Java:

- I've read that it slows down IE.

- I am not programming code that requires Java capabilities.

- It seems every time Norton AntiVirus comes out with a new virus DAT
file, it finds a couple of new trojans in my Java ZIP files. Since I
have a good firewall running at all times, it's not likely these
trojans will ever be executed by someone coming into my system through
the Internet, but these trojans that NAV keeps finding make me VERY
uneasy!

Those come from some lame web site you're visiting. You probably know which
ones.

- Java is huge . . . uninstalling it would free up disk space, speed
up my full hard disk backups, and speed up NAV full disk scans.

Without knowing how much data is on your disk, and what percentage of that
is represented by Java-related files, it's difficult to address this issue.
However, it should really be the least of your concerns.

Of course there are probably good reasons to keep Java, but I need
someone to tell me what these are . . . thanks!

The only reason to keep it is that there are some web site designers who
think it's necessary to create menus and other features which require java.
It's stupid, but there's not much you can do about it. Some of these sites
are worth visiting, so you really have no choice but to have Java, or the
menus on these sites won't work.

 

[Guest]

If you don't need it, get rid of it. Keep an installation package somewhere
however should you need it in the future (and if you don't want to spend time
downloading it)

 

[Tim Slattery]

I have J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0, Update 6 installed on my system
on the advice of one of the tips I got in this news group, but knowing
nothing about this package I'm wondering if I really need it? Here's
some of my reasons for possibly uninstalling Java:

- I've read that it slows down IE.

Many web sites use Java applets. If the website you're currently
visiting doesn't use Java, then Java has no impact on how fast or slow
IE renders it. If the site does use Java, you won't be able to see or
use the applet if you don't have the Java runtime installed.

- I am not programming code that requires Java capabilities.

You need the runtime in order to run Java applets that others have
programmed. You'd need a Java SDK to write Java programs.

 

[MrBill]

Of course there are probably good reasons to keep Java, but I need
someone to tell me what these are . . . thanks!

Thanks to everyone for the comments. Based on your posts, all
versions of Java have been uninstalled. FWIW, after removal I found
that I had 156 MB more hard disk space available (no big deal) and
53,000 less files according to NAV (definitely a big deal)!

Thanks again,
Bill

 

[DanS]

Thanks to everyone for the comments. Based on your posts, all
versions of Java have been uninstalled. FWIW, after removal I found
that I had 156 MB more hard disk space available (no big deal) and
53,000 less files according to NAV (definitely a big deal)!

Thanks again,
Bill

I doubt you can contribute 53,000 files and 156 MB to Java. The SUN Java
runtime (v1.3) on my PC is a whole 17 MB and 85 files. The 1.5 install
package is only 18 megs.

The bigger problem is you are still using IE.

 

[Vagabond Software]

@4ax.com:

I doubt you can contribute 53,000 files and 156 MB to Java. The SUN Java
runtime (v1.3) on my PC is a whole 17 MB and 85 files. The 1.5 install
package is only 18 megs.

The bigger problem is you are still using IE.

Java can easily account for 156MB on disk, especially the way Sun does
updates. The jre1.5.0_06 folder on my disk occupies 60 MB of hard disk
space and I always go back and uninstall the older versions, which Sun does
not do automatically.

carl

 

[DanS]

Java can easily account for 156MB on disk, especially the way Sun does
updates. The jre1.5.0_06 folder on my disk occupies 60 MB of hard
disk space and I always go back and uninstall the older versions,
which Sun does not do automatically.

carl

I can see several versions of the JRE occupying that amount as well, but
53,000 files ?

DanS

 

[Vagabond Software]

I can see several versions of the JRE occupying that amount as well, but
53,000 files ?

DanS

I agree. It's hard to account for the 53,000 files. Perhaps if it also
deletes all the js files out of the temporary internet files folder?

carl

 

[ANONYMOUS]

I agree. It's hard to account for the 53,000 files. Perhaps if it also
deletes all the js files out of the temporary internet files folder?

You must have lots of unnecessary files in:

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Temp

You can delete all of them. Of course Change USERNAME as appropriate.
I suggest change the USERNAME on the link I have given you and copy and
paste it in Windows Explorer so that it takes you there otherwise you
might have to unhide the folders.

hth