I found out I have both the 32 and 64 bit versions of Java installed. Can this cause any problems. In my control panel it shows both versions but it doesn’t say which is 32 and which is 64 in the event someone here says i should remove the 32 bit version. If having both isn’t cause for concern then I won’t do anything,thanks
You can always uninstale them both and reinstale 64 bits to make sure
Well the only reason I even discovered I had two different versions was when the avast updater notified me that an update was available. I must have had both versions for a long time and I’m not experiencing any problems. Didn’t know if having both could cause any conflicts,btw I’m a computer novice with most things so I’m looking at this in that respect.
It rather depends on what browser you are using, there is a 32bit and 64bit version. Whilst you have a 64bit OS if you are using a 32bit browser version, I don’t know if that would also mean you would have the 32bit JAVA version installed.
The current JAVA installer has both 32/64 bit versions in the installer, so I would have thought that it would install what is required.
Dave I have IE and I thought I read somewhere that IE reverts to the 32 bit version. Also it turned out that the 32 bit version was the one that needed updating,which I did.
There are separate 32 and 64 bit Java Runtime Environment installers. See http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre7-downloads-1880261.html. Adobe Flash installers include the 32 and 64 bit versions.
I have both installed Java 32 and 64 on my laptop. The one needed is dependent on the software that is calling the Java function, not just the OS.
So then John I haven’t experienced any problems so I guess I’ll just leave things as they are.
I do have Java disabled in the browsers via the Java Control Panel as I don’t need it on the web, only on a program that I run locally. This is to minimize security issues.
Thanks for that clarification, confusion reigns ;D
An exceptionally long time since I dumped JAVA.
Kind of like computers; things no longer needed gets purged. 
If you don’t absolutely need Java dump it since is has been known to be easily exploited.
I haven’t had Java so long I can’t remember when I uninstalled it once and for all. 
+1 I gave up Java since Windows 98 and I still don’t use it and I still don’t trust Java at all.
Thanks for the Tip Gopher IT john
I only use Java for one installed program
As I never installed Java that I know of can I just assume it was there from the get go.(don’t know if it matters but i have windows 7) Can someone tell me the biggest reason Java is used for. It sounds like i don’t even need it.
That is true. You may not even need it ever, but if you do; for a program, a website, or interaction, you will know. So You may remove it and try your programs and usual websites, your bank, etc without it. If everything seems to work like always, stay away from it.
No JAVA isn’t part of the OS, someone had to have installed it. I don’t believe it would come pre-installed on a new notebook, etc. as it is non-essential.
Some programs are JAVA based and require it, some websites use JAVA (not to be confused with JavaScript). So unless you have a program/s that require it or visit a website that requires it and you absolutely have to use them. Then JAVA isn’t required and can be uninstalled.
If I uncheck the “enable java content in the browser” which is in the security tab of the java control panel,would that surfice until I find out I don’t need java for anything I use?
It’s a start its quite likely that if you don’t know why its on the system or why you need it then it’s is highly probable that you don’t need it.
As you said you can disable Java content from the browser so test that for a few days and if there is no problems the next step is deleting Java all together and if you find out it is needed then it is a pretty simple process to re-install it
Craig thats what I plan on doing for a few days,check most of my usual sites. Thanks for the reply.
No problem, with any luck you’ll be Java free in a few days and a lot safer on the net