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Multiple Copies of Microsoft Files

Anonymous
2021-01-23T18:03:35+00:00

Sorry if I missed a previous answer. I have multiple copies of Visual Basic C++ Redistributable files on my PC some with different years. I believe the updates are cumulative so that earlier versions may be removed. Is this true? Does it hold true between years? That is, if I keep the last 2015 copy may I delete the 2005 and 2008 copies?  The same question applies to the Net Framework  files. Here it is more complicated because they are not identical files, but multiple versions are present. 

Thanks!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. DaveM121 877.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-01-23T18:42:07+00:00

    Hi oldsilenus

    I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this . . .

    The C++ Redistributables and .Net Framework versions on your PC are not cumulative and you must not uninstall any of those . . .

    Both of those are basically versions of code libraries that software developers use to access functionality in Windows and each software developer will target a specific version of those code libraries for their software, so that when Microsoft decide to update, their software does not crash due to unknown changes that Microsoft may make in the future

    So, when you install software on your PC, that installer will install the specific version of the Visual C++ Runtime or .Net Framework that software needs, if you uninstall one of those versions, whatever software on your PC that requires that version will stop functioning

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-23T19:22:41+00:00

    Hi oldsilenus,

    C++ versions are defintely not cummulative. As DaveM21 pointed out. You could remove them but only if you test every application you have afterwards or be prepared that some may fail to work in the future.

    .NET versions however are a little bit different. Microsoft tried to make each major version cummulative version 4.8 is meant to be compatible with all 4.x versions previously released. There were major pain points experienced by many vendor applications. Since Windows already comes with .NET version as default. You probably could uninstall .NET versions but depends on your applications and how it determines if a particular version is installed.

    Generally i don’t think anyone uninstalls these. If you need more space it’s easier to buy a bigger SSD.

    AamazingTech2

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-01-26T15:45:11+00:00

    Thanks -- This has been answered and straightened out.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-01-24T19:49:49+00:00

    My pleasure!

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-01-24T19:45:54+00:00

    Thanks for your help! I knew what they were but there seemed to be an awful loot of files. It is not really a question of disk space, just clutter.

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