Win XP Cleanup- a question

[loribee59]

using the add/remove program:

anyone familiar with all those Window security updates, Java script, and two chats AIM (2008) and AOL (2004)...??

AOL IM 10.70 MB last used in 2004
and AIM6 (2008)....do I need both? or keep the most current one?

Java scripts~ Java 6, updates 2, 3, 5, & 7...do I need to keep all of them? or keep just the recent update..? each updates are 110 MB

J2SE Runtime 5.0 updates 6, 9, 10, & 11...same question as Java, and each updates are 120 MB

WMP security updates for version 9...do I get rid of this? I have version 10, never upgraded to v.11...yet. LOL

let me know if they are safe to remove the old updates/versions

TIA!!

 

[wiggsfly]

With Java you can remove all of them and get JRE 6 Update 11 (the latest) http://www.java.com

You should also be able to remove all the older versions of the remaining programs as well. At the worst case you might have to reinstall one which could be a good thing as you'll have the latest updates.

 

[loribee59]

that's what I thought~ just wanted to verify.

another question cleaning up XP.... I'd like to defrag, but the only time I'd let it defrag would be during bedtime. do I need to leave my computer powered on...?

 

[wiggsfly]

Yes, you must leave it on to defrag.

 

[peepnklown]

You could do something similar to AIM. You can remove both and install the latest version of AIM.

 

[SAPguy]

After removing programs, but before defragging, download and install CCleaner.

Run it to clean up all the random installer files, temp files, etc and then run it to clean garbage entries in the registry.

After that is completed, defrag.

 

[leonstafford]

remember, if it ain't broke....

unless these programs are using much of your computer's power, which for most of these, they shouldn't be (AOL may be loading unnecessarily at boot)...

sometimes removing things like Windows updates and Java updates will make your machine unstable. If other programs are depending on those others to be there and find nothing you can start to get weird errors.

Best practice is not to install unnecessary software in the first place.

If your machine inevitably builds up unwanted stuff, it is worth the time to backup your data and re-install Windows, then reinstall NEEDED software only. The added advantage of this is you get a nice fresh system which you know doesn't have any virii/malicious programs which may also have gotten in along the way.

Prevent is always easier than repair (in PCs and in our souls)

 

[elliotps932]

You could always reinstall xp and start anew?