How to Remove Java Updates

Java, the programming language used to power many Web-based applications, searches for updates and installs them automatically as they become available. However, the automatic updating feature of Java also contains a flaw that affects many versions of Java: old updates are not removed. Eventually, this can cause Java updates to consume hundreds of megabytes of hard drive space. Remove old Java updates to reclaim hard drive space and avoid the potential security risks of having old versions of Java on the computer.

Instructions

1. Hit the Windows logo and "R" keys on the keyboard simultaneously. In the "Run" box that appears, type "appwiz.cpl" and hit "Enter." Alternatively, you can reach this screen by clicking the "Start" button and "Control Panel," then double-clicking "Add or Remove Programs" in Windows XP or "Programs and Features" in Windows Vista and 7.

2. Scroll down the list until you find the Java updates. They will have entries on your list of installed programs that look similar to "Java(TM) 6 Update 3."

3. Click on the oldest update and click "Remove" if you are running Windows XP. In Windows Vista and 7, right-click on the update and click "Uninstall."

4. Repeat Step 3, working from the lowest-numbered update to the highest-numbered one, until only the most recent update remains.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have performed the steps outlined in this article once, you may not need to do so again. In 2008, Sun Microsystems issued a statement promising that new Java updates would remove older Java code automatically.

References

• Washington Post: Java Update Promises to Remove Older Versions