Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Silverlight is Microsoft's new collection of software to support rich web-based applications. You may not need it yet, but eventually you might.
I just did a check for fixes & updates using Windows Updates. The result of the check was a software update for which I do not know if I should download and install it or not. As an "end user" home computer, I don't know if I need "Silverlight v1.0". I was wondering if you could shed some light on this Silverlight and, generally speaking, whether or not a home user would need or use Silverlight.
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Do you need it? Probably not yet. But I'm guessing that someday you will want it.
And even if you don't, I'm guessing not having it will, eventually, be annoying enough that you'll give in and install it anyway.
This is a frustratingly classic case of "Resistance is Futile".
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Here's the Microsoft line on Silverlight:
Microsoft Silverlight delivers a new generation of high-quality audio and video, engaging media experiences, and interactive applications for the Web.
In a way, Silverlight is much like Adobe's Flash in that it enables a bunch of functionality that "plain old HTML" simply doesn't support such as animation, video, multimedia and more. In fact, Silverlight is considered in many ways a Flash competitor.
So, do you need it?
Probably not yet. The number of web sites that are using it is actually small. It's unlikely that you'll actually see any difference as you browse the web without Silverlight for some time, with a few exceptions.
Microsoft is of course pushing everyone to install Silverlight support on their machines so that website authors will be encouraged to use the new technology. You're seeing it in Windows Update. In fact, if you simply visit the Microsoft home page, you'll likely be prompted right there to install it as well, since Microsoft is naturally also using the technology itself. At this point, it's not a requirement, but it wouldn't surprise me if someday certain key features required Silverlight.
My guess is that it's simply going to become annoying.
You may run into a site where you actually want to install it to get the site's functionality, and that's fine. It's actually a fairly small download and install.
What I expect, though, is to be nagged into submission by Windows Update, and by visiting sites that don't require it, but promise some kind "enhanced experience" if you have do it.
Like microsoft.com.
Right now there are bumps in the road. I'm finding that if you're running Internet Explorer all seems to be well. Silverlight installs and runs just fine. However, if you are visiting Microsoft.com with FireFox 3, the site doesn't believe that Silverlight is installed and keeps offering it, even though Silverlight is most definitely installed.
That's a little frustrating, but sadly not terribly surprising.
So my bottom line: you can keep avoiding it, if you like. Chances are that for now you won't really notice any issues other than the occasional reminder that you haven't installed it.
Me? I gave in and installed it, just to remove one more annoyance.
It does at times seem that resistance is futile.
Article C3445 - July 14, 2008 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
November 6, 2011 2:21 PM
EVERY DAY this is requesting to download as an update..
FREAKING ANNOYING!!!
ARRRRG!
Thanks for the answer though-just confirmed my suspicions-much appreciated.
10-Nov-2011
March 7, 2012 8:51 AM
There's another reason you might not want to install Silverlight (and you can hide it Windows Update). Microsoft gets credit for it's OS and Browser but....not the maintenance tools and security that should have been in place 20 years ago that in the Mom and Pop world resulted in a lot of expense and "throwing it out" because it's old and slow. So what's my point besides MS marketing tactics, actually points....A) By not buying in you are actually promoting the "free" world as opposed to MS......in this case HTML5 and beyond. B) It's doubtful that Silverlight will be widely adopted for two reasons....the existing install base and developers, a reflection of the "free" world. But it's your choice.....and at least now we have them.
March 15, 2012 12:31 PM
My husband works for a company that puts time sheets, check stubs and other paperwork online through a site called teamehub.com. It is a place where employers can set up their own site for employees to access information. The first thing you need is Silverlight. I already had it but it wouldn't connect up. I uninstalled it and tried again, after multiple install/uninstalls I finally I got it to access the website using Firefox, I could not get it to work on IE. I continually got errors for Silverlight, before I got it to work. I actually don't know what I did that finally made it work, I had been trying for 3 or more hours to get it to work. I don't know if it was Silverlight or the website for my husband's work.
I am guessing it is going to be mandatory sometime soon.
April 13, 2012 4:25 PM
Iam grateful for a site that answers my questions straight forward, and your site also gives me background and alternatives. Thank you, Leo
December 25, 2012 2:23 PM
Plain english explanatio is greatly appreciated. Regards, Charles