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Q: Can I remove the older MS Visual C++ Redistributable files (2005 to 2008) that I find in the Control Panel?

– Terry P.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida

 A: These “Redistributable files” are software written by Microsoft, that is used by other software that was built using a Microsoft programming tool.  Microsoft gives permission to software authors to give away these files when they distribute their software, hence the name.  You are looking at them as “older” because of the years attached to the names, but that year actually has nothing to do with the age of your computer or your operating system.  The last several versions of Microsoft’s Visual Studio, of which Visual C++ is a part, were identified with a year rather than a version number, and these files bear the year to identify which version of Visual Studio they go with.  Software that was built using Visual C++ 2005 needs the specific 2005 Redistributable pieces to run – and won’t work with the ones from any other version.

So, the answer to your question is that you can safely delete them only if you’re sure none of the software you have installed needs them.  The odds of the typical computer user knowing that are pretty slim, so my opinion is that you’re better off just leaving them alone.  They don’t take up much room on your hard drive, and they don’t run unless something needs them, so they’re not slowing your system down.

Q: It seems I used to be able to look up many things for free but now I feel nearly every inquiry I make is hijacked to a FOR PAY site. For instance, a Reverse Lookup I used to use now directs me to multiple PAY SITES. Is this actually happening or is it just that there is nothing free anymore? Is there anything I can do if indeed I am being re-directed?

P.S. Thanks for your column and the Geek Lights. I look forward to both.

– Ira W.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida

A: Thanks for mentioning my Geek Lights.  Hey fans, it’s only 169 days until the first show!  Mark your calendars!  Ira, it’s not your imagination.  Almost all of the great free stuff that helped the Internet grow from infancy have been replaced with pay-for-use services, or at minimum, sites that pay for themselves by displaying advertisements. It’s tough to stop redirects without stopping other desirable features from working.  In this case, you’re probably not being redirected, as there seems to be one main lookup site these days that has dozens of websites that funnel traffic to it.

Q: I use Firefox as my browser. Recently, Search.conduit.com/?ctid=CT3209604&Search=13 appears in the address bar, and the Bing search instead of Google is on my home page. What is the cause of this? How do I get rid of it?

– Jim M.
Anrews, Texas

A: Your homepage (the page that automatically loads when your browser starts) has been changed to the link you specified.  If you want it set to Google, you can change it easily enough.  Simply click on the “Firefox” menu and choose “Options”.  From the slide-out menu, choose “Options again.  Select the “General” tab, and you’ll see options that control the homepage in the Startup section.  Select “Show my home page” and enter “http://www.google.com” in the box labeled “Home page”.