What is the Java TM Plug in SSV Helper

Question

What is the Jave TM Plug in SSV Helper?

Do I need it?

If I don't need it, how do I get rid of it?

I'm running Windows Vista.

Answer 1

Java is a programming language. You need something called the Java Runtime Environment to run programs written in Java. The Plugin is part of that. A small number of websites also use this. The Java Runtime Environment will appear in Programs and Features in the Control Panel and can be uninstalled from there. Unfortunately, there is a bug in the uninstallation that leaves the entry for the plugin in the Internet Explorer Manage Addons window after Java is uninstalled. This is harmless because the file has been deleted. To remove the entry in Manage Addons would require editing the Registry.

This bug has been known since at least 2008, but nothing seems to have been done about it.

http://bugs.sun.com/bugdatabase/view_bug.do?bug_id=6747116

Answer 2

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/index-jsp-141438.html

It can be disabled if you do not need to run Java applets from the Internet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_plugin

Answer 3

What is the Jave TM Plug in SSV Helper?

Do I need it?

If I don't need it, how do I get rid of it?

I'm running Windows Vista.

I have no idea what it is either.  But I had both of these showing up in add-ons:

Java (tm) Plug in SSV Helper

Java (tm) Plugin 2 SSV Helper 

IE9 flagged them up as possibly slowing down the browser, so I disabled them both 2 weeks ago.  No problems so far.  If you do get problems, you can always enable them again.  I have Windows Vista Home Premium SP2. 

I would still like to know why they're there if they aren't necessary?!

Answer 4

They are there because Java was installed on your computer by the manufacturer or you installed it yourself from www.java.com.

You will need them if you visit a webpage that needs to download a Java Applet, such as when you click on 'Demo' on this page: http://www.javaatwork.com/java-download-applet/details.html

Answer 5

Thank you for your reply. I found this bit to be particularly insightful: "They are there because Java was installed on your computer by the manufacturer or you installed it yourself..." I guess I can safely cross "How Exactly DOES A Program Get Onto a Computer?" off the list a great remaining scientific questions, eh?