Vista - Java updates, do I need them?

I keep getting prompts to update Jave Sun system. I already have Java 6 updates 7 and 13 amounting to 230.5 MB.
I used to have Open Office suite but have uninstalled it as I now run M/Soft Office.

What else is Java used for? Can I safely uninstall the updates? and how do I stop the new update Prompts?

Hello Senex,
As no answers have been forthcoming so far I suggest you read this article on Sun Java to see what it is used for.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(software_platform)

You may care to address your other questions to the Sun Java forum.
Sun Forums

Latest Java (JRE) is 6 update 16, which you usually want to have the latest update for security purposes. You can safely uninstall old java updates, they'll be listed in the uninstall list in Programs and Features.

To stop the update nags if you want after you've uninstalled old updates and installed 6 -16, then you can go to the Java panel in Control Panel, go to the Update tab, un check Check For Updates Automatically - click Never Check -Apply/OK.


You can also check in Windows Defenders Start Up Software list, and remove or disable the SunJavaUpdateScheduler, or you can also use something like CCleaner that has a startup manager under it's Tool tab.

Very many thanks, that resolves my query perfectly.
Regards