How to Remove Old Java Versions [Too Many Installed]
How Many Versions of Java Do YOU Have to Remove?
Time and time again in my work as a computer service specialist, I come across computers that have 3 or 4, sometimes as many as 9 or more versions of Java installed on their PCs.
Many people don't even realize that all those versions of Java are there, and assume that when they install the latest version of Java, the older versions are removes, as most other programs work that way. Other people know about all those versions, but did not remove any for fear of "breaking" something.
Well, I am here to tell you that in most (and I do mean MOST) circumstances, you can safely remove all but the very latest version of Java and suffer no consequences. Not only is this the official word from the makers of Java themselves, but I can say that I personally have removed hundreds of sets of old versions of Java from as many machines over a period of years, and have never had a customer complain that something stopped working properly because of it.
The Java site does mention that some programs may stop working if you uninstall an old Java version ... but they recommend that you contact the programmers and mention that their software should be updated to find and use the most recent version of Java available. In other words ... well behaved software uses the latest version of Java, and programmers are expected to code accordingly! This should be well known by all major commercial developers.
How to Remove Old Versions of Java from Windows Vista
To remove old version of Java from your PC Computer running Vista, click on Start, Control Panel, Control Panel Home, Programs, Uninstall a Program.
Remove all but the latest version of Java from the program list.
If you are not sure if you have the latest version of Java, remove all versions of Java from the program list, and then go to www.Java.com to install the latest version.
Reclaim Disk Space Used by Old Java Software
Most version of Java seem to take up between 115 to 150 MB of Disk Space. If you have 6 or 7 old versions to remove, you could reclaim between 690 and 1050 MB of disk space!
If you are running tight on hard drive real estate, cleaning up your old Java versions may be just the thing you need to do!
How to Remove Old Versions of Java from Windows XP
To remove old version of Java from your PC Computer running XP, click on Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs.
Remove all but the latest version of Java from the program list.
If you are not sure if you have the latest version of Java, remove all versions of Java from the program list, and then go to www.Java.com to install the latest version.
