Here is what I have installed with respect to MS Visual C++ deps:
I have multiple versions of each year present. Is it safe to remove all but the most current version of each package for 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 ? I know there is a 32 * 64 bit package for each of them.
Tim
You can use this, it will uninstall all versions and install the latest updated ones.
Visual C++ Runtime Installer Download
No its not safe, leave them alone, Applications install the particular version they require.
If you fiddle about deleting versions and apparent duplications/updates you may stop an application working properly.
They are small, so just not worth the risk.
Guess what?
I used that kewl tewl mentioned above and have no issues with any of the apps using them. Anyways, all that needs to be done if something does not work is to re-install it.
LOL
Tim
If you do need a particular version the program that included it will fail and probably prompt to reinstall it.
You could also 'hide' some of them by changing the Name from DisplayName to QuietDisplayName in Registry.
These are just redistributable packages, which typically consist of a couple DLLs and nothing else. If you have applications that rely on these packages, then yes, these packages are needed. Applications are hardcoded to use specific versions of these packages. You can't just delete an "older" version of the package and expect the application to "pick up" the newer one.
Even if the app installs them, Windows update may replace or upgrade them if they are out of date or improper. You can see that happen when you have installed something, and Reliability History shows MS has DL'd an update or replacement. They are not very big and could cause malfunction if removed. I have a bunch, too. Some as recent as 3 days ago. It's normal.
It is possible that you don't need all of those versions but making that determination is far from simple. As they are relatively small there is little to be gained in deleting them. In theory only the latest version should be needed but software doesn't always see things that way. Some applications will insist on a specific version and fail if it is not present. Maybe you don't have any such applications, or maybe you do. Finding out is the hard part.
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