Do I really need Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable for my computer to function normally?

If I delete it, will there be any consequences? I mainly use my computer for a few things: AIM, Internet, iTunes, PhotoShop, Movie Maker, Microsoft Works. That's about it. Every now and then, I'll get an n64 or GBA emulator to play around with, but other than that, that's basically all I use my computer for.

Do I really need Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable for my computer to function normally?
The Windows OS does not need it to function and most commercial programs do not need it. Just make sure by delete you mean to uninstall it from add/remove programs in the control panel.





The redistributable is only needed when running programs developed using MS VC++ 2005 and there are dependencies on certain DLL files (installed by the distributable) in those programs.





Also, if you have some program or application that produces an error message with something like "this application was not configured correctly" or "(file with dll extension) not found", then that program/application may need the distributable to be installed on the system.
Reply:No, you only need that if you are tracking to SELL (create) programs for use by others. How did you get it on your system. There is a slim chance that some program you now have uses it. but deleting it well help you figure it out.
Reply:If you are not doing any programming you shouldn't need it at all. If you have any programs on your computer that were created with visual C++ 2005 you will need the library to run these programs. Delete away if you don't have any of these. You would know because you or your friends would have programmed them.