Are all these necessary???

[drhayden1]

just curious why i have so much of the same and should i leave alone
or if i can delete-which one or ones??

[scythe944]

I'd say leave them on.  You have two versions of C++, as well as 64/32 bit versions, and the rest are updates to the different versions.

Frankly, I'd have to ask you what programs you use that might need C++ in the first place?

Do you program at all?

[drhayden1]

don't program at all except for setting times for hd programs on my dvr
have some legit downloaded games and have steam http://store.steampowered.com/ and onlive cloud exe programs http://www.onlive.com/#1

[MAG]

I'd say leave them on.  You have two versions of C++, as well as 64/32 bit versions, and the rest are updates to the different versions.

Frankly, I'd have to ask you what programs you use that might need C++ in the first place?

Do you program at all?

I don't program either (well not since the days of fortran and algol).

I've got all these too - they just arrive with windows update.

[drhayden1]

ok thanks.....guess i will just leave alone to be safe

[scythe944]

I doubt steam needs it.  I have steam on my home comp, but haven't used it in a LONG time.

I'd say that something on your system DID need it though, and your computer has been downloading updates for it ever since.

You can try removing all of it and see if a program stops working.  If not, you're good to go.

Have a look here: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/archive/index.php/t-24588.html?s=c6f9b962b9451dfdcc7027bccff727c1

[scythe944]

I can't say that I agree with MAG, since I'm working on a Win7 system right now that doesn't have any version of C++ installed.

It's really only for programmers, or for an odd program that needs those libraries installed.

From what I've read, it's not like .NET framework, and you only need the latest and greatest version installed (plus updates) so older versions should be ok to remove, or all of them if you don't have any programs that rely on it.

[drhayden1]

ok...which ones should i take off??
leave the 3 dated 6/15/2011 and take off the rest>??

[scythe944]

I would take off the 2005 version and all of the x86 related entries.

Or better yet, remove them all and try your programs out to see which one needed it in the first place.  Like I said, not many programs need it, so I'm curious to see which one made you install that.

[drhayden1]

taking all off now....

[scythe944]

cool let us know!

If you find a program that needs it, you can always download the newest version again.

[drhayden1]

gonna reboot and see if this new piece of crap blows up

[MAG]

I can't say that I agree with MAG, since I'm working on a Win7 system right now that doesn't have any version of C++ installed.

It's really only for programmers, or for an odd program that needs those libraries installed.

From what I've read, it's not like .NET framework, and you only need the latest and greatest version installed (plus updates) so older versions should be ok to remove, or all of them if you don't have any programs that rely on it.

Well, here are two that arrived recently.

I guess the real question though is how did the first one (that keeps getting updated) get there.

No idea.

[scythe944]

Programs that rely on C++ install it in the background.  Either that, or you downloaded it for some reason or another.

Again, we have to figure out what program caused you to download it in the first place.

[MAG]

If we hear no reports of disaster from drhayden1 I'll uninstall them and see what complains.