I have two versions installed :
Microsoft Windows Desktop Runtime 3.1.32 (x64) AND 7.0.13 (X64).
Are both necessary or could I uninstall the older one?
Thanks for any help.
Windows 10 Home 22H2.
On my other identical machine abroad I also have a (x86) version - surely not needed on a 64-bit laptop ?
Why bother - they take do little space and it may well be older apps need earlier version. It is usually harder to delete such files due to permissions, and changing permissions can lead to unexpected consrquences.
As for (x86) version, that is probably needed for runjing older 32bit programs.
202MB and 213MB respectively - hardly peanuts !
Identical apps on both machines so can't see any possible need for x86 on one and not the other !
So you save 200 MB. These days that is definitely peanuts.
Even on a small 128 GB drive, that equates to 202/128000 *100% = 0.15%.
For a common 1 TB drive - 202/1000,000 x 100% = 0.02%
If you ever get to a point 200 MB is truly important, you are long overdue for a disk upgrade.
You get more noise on temporary files.
Thanks for the lesson, but I got maths a-level too !
So I found your reply patronising and quite rude.
I will say, politely I hope, that you are offering opinion rather than advice.
Maybe I'm trying to be too tidy, but why keep stuff if it's redundant?
My understanding is that more stuff stored means less efficiency - is that incorrect?
And no-one smuggles more unwanted, unwelcome junk onto our machines than Microsoft !
So I was hoping to discover if there's a rational explanation for having the two versions.
Yes, the newer version might need the older one - but might isn't certainty - and v7 needing v3 seems quite a stretch.
(And I do regularly clear temporary files.)
The real answer is when an UWP (Store) app gets installed, the manifest details which version of the Desktop Runtime is required for execution. For the UWP framework libraries, Windows doesn't randomly litter your system with extra copies. They're present because they've been requested by the apps.
While most libraries are backwards compatible, it's up to the developer on how they've coded the dependencies. You may uninstall Desktop Runtime 3.12, but an an app update might just as well re-install it.
Thanks, I get that now - but what is UWP ?
Next question - if the app that requested it is later uninstalled, does the rubbish stay behind ?
And if so, is there any way to know it's now redundant ?
I guess to be safe I will have to keep them all !
Just like the SIX visual C++ items I have installed, although admittedly they are only a few MB's each.
- - - Updated - - -
And I seem to have a Store app of Edge I can't get rid of even though I have the desktop program installed !
Last edited by rufford155; 12 Nov 2023 at 12:31. Reason: Added text
UWP apps are mistakenly called Store apps because they're normally distributed through the Store, but can be installed through installers. They're recognized by their unique W10/11 visual style, unlike traditional Win32 apps. Because UWP is a clean sheet design, it has its own frameworks and all application folders are protected from user access.
Uninstalling an app will not uninstall its dependencies. That's normal because Windows doesn't know if another app in the future needs it. The worst case is if you uninstall Desktop Runtime, Store will re-install the version that app requires.
Your analogy is correct. On paper VC++ libraries are backwards compatible, but in real life the answer is more complicated. Therefore you end up with multiple editions, to avoid possible run-time issues. You're trading disk space for convenenience. Do you want to spend time debugging these issues?
Some apps like Edge or PowerShell 7 are available in Store format, which makes it easier for users to self-update. It's the exact same program but packaged differently.
Many thanks for that Garlin.
I have learnt something but it's a bit mind-boggling.
I've searched a bit now on Google and Wikipedia.
I have no social media apps but I do have Netflix and Prime.
And others like Clipchamp that are likely to be UWP.
Result = Leave all MS installed files well alone !
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