Redistributable files/programs???

W

whiplash

New Member
What are these? (redistributable programs) I have six listed on my Control panel under the add/remove programs page. (exam. microsoft. visual++ 2008 redistributable.867.01.100) All start with microsoft. visual etc. It doesn't tell me what they are or are for. I'm guessing they were installed in 2008.I dont want to delete them until I know it is safe to do so.

A general question: Would you change an XP system to a vista OS? I have a 6yr old laptop that says it is vista capable.
 
A lot of the redistributable programs are Windows updates, or add on's from things like .Net framework. I would not change to Vista under any circumstances. Maybe Windows 7, if I was able to pick up a copy cheap enough to make it worthwhile for a 6 year old laptop. I wouldn't expect it to be a speed demon though.
 
When developers write programs for Windows, they use certain libraries and routines provided by MS with their compilers. In order to make it so other people can run the programs without the need to also have those same compilers installed, MS provides these "redistributables" that can be distributed by the developer with their programs.
 
Do not delete those redistributable files beause if you do,ALL the programs on your computer which work using the .NET framework will no longer work and you will need to install the appropriate .NET versions again in order to make your programs work.

Those files are the libraries so that programs made by the VS compiler can work on your computer without requiring you to have the same compiler installed.
For example some of the ATI control panels use .NET 2.0 libraries,Photoshop uses the same (depends on the version of course),some games also use .NET 2.0 or 3.0 or even 3.5 or even 4.0 libraries and so on...

In short...do not delete that unless you are 100% sure that you are NOT using and programs which work under .NET framework.



Cheers!
(I have a headache by the way xD)
[Dammit I want some pills!]
{ xD }
 
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