are Java releases cumulative?

[Jim S.]

The "add or remove programs" panel on my system shows Java 6 updates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10. These are all about the same size, which leads me to wonder if the "update" label isn't misleading. I'm thinking that maybe each "update" is a complete release, and I could free up almost a gigabyte by removing everything but the latest one. Am I thinking correctly?

Also, I have Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1, Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Hotfix, and Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1. Can I safely delete the 1.1 versions?

 

[Smith P.]

Correct, just uninstall all of them exclude last.
Not so fast for .NET, some old application req 1.1, some based on 2.0 or 3.0

 

[yourbeliefs]

Correct, just uninstall all of them exclude last.
Not so fast for .NET, some old application req 1.1, some based on 2.0 or 3.0

Yeah don't delete .NET frameworks. Not all .NET stuff is backwards compatible.

 

[Ramy]

Yeah what they said. Although you don't have to uninstall the Java versions either.

 

[StevenD]

Also, check \Documents and Settings\Default User\Application Data\Sun\Java.

Java caches all of the installers when you install it. It sucks that they put this in the Default User profile so everytime a new user logs on, it copies all the installers with it. At 15MB+ each, these can add up.

 

[Smith P.]

Is Java Uninstall take care of cleaning the folder ?

 

[Foxbat]

Yeah what they said. Although you don't have to uninstall the Java versions either.

It's recommended that you do. Some of the older versions have security flaws.

 

[bateau980]

Just a warning... Some apps require a certain major version of Java. You are fine to remove several versions of 1.6_x, but leave any 1.4_x and 1.5_x if you have them.

Reason: Many developers built their code to check and require a certain version of Java. If it isn't found, the app will either end or launch the installer for the required version. I've fallen victim to this error way to many times in the field.

 

[Smith P.]

Very _smart_ approach - check and run on just one version. Those coders should do better job and add a warning what exactly version they need.

 

[Foxbat]

Very _smart_ approach - check and run on just one version. Those coders should do better job and add a warning what exactly version they need.

+1 to that. We had this Time Card web app that would do exactly bateau980 said and try to install 1.2.1_4 if that version was not installed. Fortunately, enough of their users must have groused about it and the new version requires a minimum Java version and runs fine with the newer, more secure Java.

 

[bateau980]

I just wish my Java Based Expense Reporting system would be upgraded... can't print an ER to sign and send in with JRE 1.6 installed. Talk about bogus coding.