136mb Java 2 program in Win XP Home Edition

[Autoeng]

What is the Java 2 program in Win XP Home Edition? Can it be removed?

[PrntRhd]

Is this Java RE?

[Autoeng]

Yes, the Java 2 Runtime Environment, SE v1.4.2_03. Can I get rid of it?

[PrntRhd]

I would get rid of that particular old version. The current J2RE version is 1.5.0_07 at Sun Java's site which is safer for security reasons.
J2RE allows applications to run in a "sandbox" to protect the Operaing System from certain executable files. You may or may not want to have that capability when installing applications.

[mjc]

Um...isn't 1.4.2xx one of the versions still vulnerable to the Byte Verify stuff?

[PrntRhd]

That is why I recommended removal. It is the Vundo/Winfixer infection this particular version is susceptible to.

[mjc]

I couldn't quite remember which nasty it was prone to...

[Autoeng]

I install virtually nothing from the internet and generally purchase only name brand off the shelf software. Can I delete the program without any ill effects to my computer? Other than Windows and Office if is the biggest program on my PC.

[mjc]

If there is an unistall option in Add/Remove programs, use it before deleting anything. If not, then look in the folder to see if there is an Uninstall.exe...

Of course, if it is just the install package...then yes, you can delete it, but...

BTW, you aren't getting any deals running with just off the shelf, name brand software...but that is entirely another issue.

At this point, I think you are going to need to run some stuff that isn't 'off the shelf, name brand' software...I think we need to see a HijackThis (http://merijn.org/downloads.html) log.

And yes, you almost need some form of Java these days, there are too many things that use it, that you would be rather crippled without it.

[Autoeng]

Thank you for the reply. Yes, there is an option in Control Panel to remove it.

Is there another, smaller Java program that I could use in place of this one? I hate to burn up 100+MB on one program that seldomly gets used.

[PrntRhd]

That is likely a cache file that builds up. Go to control panel and open Java console, there should be a button for "delete cache"/"delete files" you can use to clean the accumulated files. This will be a good thing to do anyway with that old version before removing it.
Then download the newest version and install.
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp and look for "Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0 Update 7"
Empty the cache occasionally.

You may not select Java 2RE but installers and your browser do access the program files there, that is why the cache grows.

[mjc]

There are quite a few things that use it...and the number of items that use it in the background isn't getting any smaller.