Does XP(MCE) require that Java be installed?

[Jackson]

Zone Alarm firewall reported yet another process trying to go on the
web. It turned out to be the Java updater checking for updates
(jusched.exe). A little digging shows that there are five instances
of this program on my Dell C521, three in .../program files/java...
and two in BIN (whatever that is). Those in BIN seem to be compressed.

I ran a virus check on the directory ...'program files/Java... and it
took 15 minutes to complete scanning some 54000 objects (whatever an
'object' is)! That is just in the Java directory, I have no idea
where or what the bin directory is, so I couldn't check those.

Okay, that's my rant - now my question:

Is Java really necessary for XP if you want to go on the web? I like
to visit certain news web pages.

Will I foul something up in my computer if I run this test?:

1. Temporarily rename the Java folder to zzzJava.
2. Visit my usual web pages with Java folder renamed.
3. See if I can still view the pages.
4. If necessary rename the folder back to the original name.

Is there any danger is running that test? When Java can't find its
folder it won't automatically reinstall itself will it?

Thank you so much for any insight.

 

[FrankV]

Uninstall all but the latest Java. You only need one. See if that helps.

FrankV

 

[Jim]

Zone Alarm firewall reported yet another process trying to go on the
web. It turned out to be the Java updater checking for updates
(jusched.exe). A little digging shows that there are five instances
of this program on my Dell C521, three in .../program files/java...
and two in BIN (whatever that is). Those in BIN seem to be compressed.

I ran a virus check on the directory ...'program files/Java... and it
took 15 minutes to complete scanning some 54000 objects (whatever an
'object' is)! That is just in the Java directory, I have no idea
where or what the bin directory is, so I couldn't check those.

The BIN (short for binary) folder contains programs. This is just Unix
speak at work.
Jim

 

[Allan]

Zone Alarm firewall reported yet another process trying to go on the
web. It turned out to be the Java updater checking for updates
(jusched.exe). A little digging shows that there are five instances
of this program on my Dell C521, three in .../program files/java...
and two in BIN (whatever that is). Those in BIN seem to be compressed.

I ran a virus check on the directory ...'program files/Java... and it
took 15 minutes to complete scanning some 54000 objects (whatever an
'object' is)! That is just in the Java directory, I have no idea
where or what the bin directory is, so I couldn't check those.

Okay, that's my rant - now my question:

Is Java really necessary for XP if you want to go on the web? I like
to visit certain news web pages.

Will I foul something up in my computer if I run this test?:

1. Temporarily rename the Java folder to zzzJava.
2. Visit my usual web pages with Java folder renamed.
3. See if I can still view the pages.
4. If necessary rename the folder back to the original name.

Is there any danger is running that test? When Java can't find its
folder it won't automatically reinstall itself will it?

Thank you so much for any insight.

If you uninstall Sun Java you will not be able to fully use any websites
that use Java or Java applets. Also you will not be able to use any
standalone Java apps such as Limewire, Azureus, etc. The firewall may create
more than one rule for jusched; it does not hurt anything so don't worry
about it. You can simply disable Java and Java applets in the Internet
Options|Security|Internet|Custom settings control panel applet.

 

[Rock]

Zone Alarm firewall reported yet another process trying to go on the
web. It turned out to be the Java updater checking for updates
(jusched.exe). A little digging shows that there are five instances
of this program on my Dell C521, three in .../program files/java...
and two in BIN (whatever that is). Those in BIN seem to be compressed.

I ran a virus check on the directory ...'program files/Java... and it
took 15 minutes to complete scanning some 54000 objects (whatever an
'object' is)! That is just in the Java directory, I have no idea
where or what the bin directory is, so I couldn't check those.

Okay, that's my rant - now my question:

Is Java really necessary for XP if you want to go on the web? I like
to visit certain news web pages.

Will I foul something up in my computer if I run this test?:

1. Temporarily rename the Java folder to zzzJava.
2. Visit my usual web pages with Java folder renamed.
3. See if I can still view the pages.
4. If necessary rename the folder back to the original name.

Is there any danger is running that test? When Java can't find its
folder it won't automatically reinstall itself will it?

Thank you so much for any insight.

It doesn't need to be installed, but some web sites might have problems if
it isn't as will some programs. When updating Java remove all through
Add/Remove programs then install the current version. You only need the
most recent. Get it from here:

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

Scroll down to Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6u1.

The automatic update check for Java doesn't need to run. I remove it, and
manually check for updates. This can be turned off from the Java console.

 

[Jackson]

/.../

It doesn't need to be installed, but some web sites might have problems if
it isn't as will some programs. When updating Java remove all through
Add/Remove programs then install the current version. You only need the
most recent. Get it from here:

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

The automatic update check for Java doesn't need to run. I remove it, and
manually check for updates. This can be turned off from the Java console.

Thanks to all who replied. I had three different versions installed.
I uninstalled them all and then downloaded and installed the latest.
I do appreciate that Java lets you select how often it goes on line to
check for updates; daily, weekly or monthly. I wish all those
automatic checkers did that. I believe I have some that check almost
continuously. Agent.exe, for example, seems to read and write to the
registry about every 30 seconds (24/7)on my XP(MCE), but I don't think
it actually goes on line that often.

 

[Rock]

Thanks to all who replied. I had three different versions installed.
I uninstalled them all and then downloaded and installed the latest.
I do appreciate that Java lets you select how often it goes on line to
check for updates; daily, weekly or monthly. I wish all those
automatic checkers did that. I believe I have some that check almost
continuously. Agent.exe, for example, seems to read and write to the
registry about every 30 seconds (24/7)on my XP(MCE), but I don't think
it actually goes on line that often.

You're welcome.