It's unlikely you can get by without it - unless you never use the system to surf the Internet.  Many, many websites use it - so do many applications.

You CAN remove all the old versions, reboot and install just the new one - Java updater has a way of leaving a mess behind after a while.

Evermore:

Java is an entirely optional program that you can ignore, but I can't imagine surfing without it. Too many sites require it.

 If you use it, you should certainly keep it up to date, for security reasons.

Thanks ejn63 and joe53. That was the answer that I needed. I do surf the internet at times. I just didn't understand what all Java was used for. I will keep it installed and updated.

Evermore,

1) The most current version of Java is JRE 6 update 16 (not 15).

2) To complicate matters, with the advent of 64-bit operating systems, Java now comes in two "flavors":   the original/classic 32-bit version, as well as a separate new 64-bit version.   If you don't have a 64-bit system, you don't have to be concerned with this.  

But for Vista/Win7 people who have a 64-bit operating system, be advised that you will have two versions of IE:   a 32-bit version (which is the default) as well as a 64-bit version.   If you surf with the 32-bit IE, you will need to have the 32-bit version of Java installed there; while if you surf with the 64-bit IE, you will need to have the 64-bit version of Java installed for it.   And if you switch between 32 and 64 bit versions of IE, using one at some time, and the other at other times, you will need to download/install BOTH 32 and 64 bit versions of Java.   For more on this, see  http://java.com/en/download/faq/java_win64bit.xml

3) Not only "can" you remove older versions of Java (as ejn63 commented), in fact, you SHOULD remove them, by going to your Control Panel, ADD/REMOVE programs, and uninstalling any old versions of Java you find there.

The newer versions of Java 6 are "smarter", in that they automatically look for and remove updates numbered 10 and higher of JRE 6.   But earlier updates (1 through 9) of JRE 6... as well as all versions of JRE 5 (and older) must be removed manually.

NOTE:   As i was composing this response, I see that BugBatter replied to this thread.   I realize that I've duplicated some of her information (or is it vice versa??), but, having taken the time to respond, I will leave this post intact.

Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system. It is possible that you may be running Java code in your applications that absolutely require a specific version of the JRE to run. Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update.

• Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6.
• Scroll down to where it says Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 16 .
• Click the "Download" button to the right.
• Check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
• NOTE: As always during installations, beware of any pre-checked option to install a toolbar. If you do not want it, UNcheck it.
• The page will refresh.
• Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation with or without Multi-language and save to your desktop.
• Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
• Go to Start > Control Panel double-click on Add/Remove programs and remove all older versions of Java.
• Check any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
• Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
• Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each of the Java versions.
  Close Add/Remove.
• 
  * In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Program Files\Java =this folder. Delete any subfolders.
  * Do NOT delete C:\Program Files\ JavaVM =this folder, if found!
  
• Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
• Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u16-windows-i586.exe to install the newest version.

Delete the downloaded installation file after completing the above procedure and reboot if not prompted to do so.

Thanks everyone for the information on Java. I will use your advise to uninstall older version and install the newer version. This forum is always an excellent place to get the information us novice need.

You're most welcome. We're always glad to help. Have a great day.  :emotion-1:

Hello Bugbatter,

• Thank you very much, for the step by step instruction in updating to the (JRE)6 Update 16. 
• I have the Java Control Panel shortcut on my Desktop, so that I can check for the latest update.  My question is: How come it kept saying that I have the latest Java update, when I check for update, and yet I had the (JRE)6 Update 15, which was not the latest update.  The message would say, You already have the latest Java(TM) Platform on this system.  I just don't understand.  Therefore, I check this forum just to make sure.  Thank you everybody for all your wonderful information.

Control_tps,

Perhaps BB will reply with a better explanation.   

But there's one possible reason that comes to mind:   While JRE 6 update 16 contains a "bug fix", it does not contain any "security fixes".   Quoting from their release notes:

"This feature release does not contain any new fixes for security vulnerabilities to its previous release, Java SE 6 Update 15. Users who have Java SE 6 Update 15 have the latest security fixes and do not need to upgrade to this release to be current on security fixes."

( see  http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/6u16.html )

On that basis, I believe their site is recognizing both updates, 15 and 15, as being "current" --- that is to say, "current enough", from their security perspective.

Hello ky331,

Alright, thanks. :emotion-2:

Sorry, please delete this posting.