5 Installation of the JDK on Microsoft Windows Platforms

This topic includes the following sections:

System Requirements for Installing the JDK on 64-Bit Windows Platform

For supported processors and browsers, see Oracle JDK Certified Systems Configurations.

JDK Installation Instruction Notation for Windows

JDK installers now support only one version of any Java feature release. You can't install multiple versions of the same feature release.

For example, you can't install jdk-22 and jdk-22.0.1 simultaneously. If you attempt to install jdk-22.0.1 after jdk-22 is installed, the installer uninstalls jdk-22 and installs jdk-22.0.1.

Note:

If you install an older version of a JDK when the newer version of the same feature family already exists, an error is displayed, prompting you to uninstall a newer JDK version if an older version has to be installed.

JDK is installed in /Program Files/Java/jdk-<FEATURE> where <FEATURE> is the feature release number. For example, JDK 22.0.1 is installed in /Program Files/Java/jdk-22.

JDK Installation Instructions for Windows

You run a self-installing executable file to unpack and install the JDK on Windows computers.

Downloading the JDK Installer

Access the Java SE Downloads page and click Accept License Agreement. Under the Download menu, click the Download link that corresponds to the .exe for your version of Windows.

Download the file jdk-22.interim.update.patch_windows-x64_bin.exe.

Note:

Verify the successful completion of file download by comparing the file size on the download page and your local drive. Alternatively, you can ensure that the downloaded file's checksum matches the one provided on the Java SE Downloads page.

Installing the JDK from the JDK .exe Installer

You must have administrator privileges to install the JDK on Microsoft Windows.
To run the JDK installer:
  1. Start the JDK 22 installer by double-clicking the installer's icon or file name in the download location.
  2. Follow the instructions provided by the installer.
  3. After the installation is complete, delete the downloaded file to recover disk space.

Note:

During installation, the following files are copied to your computer:
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath\java.exe" 
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath\javaw.exe"
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath\javac.exe" 
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath\jshell.exe"

Alternatively, you can run these executables directly from the JDK's bin directory.

Installing the JDK from the MSI Enterprise Installer

The JDK MSI Enterprise Installer is packaged as an .msi installer and runs with minimal dialogs. It supports silent installation of the JDK and is customizable using command line parameters.

You must have administrative permissions install JDK 22.

  1. Download jdk-22_windows-x64_bin.msi from the Java SE Downloads page.
  2. Double click the .msi file to run the installer.
Installing the JDK from the Command Line

You can install the JDK by downloading the appropriate Oracle JDK MSI Enterprise Installer for your system and running it from the command line.

  1. Download jdk-22_windows-x64_bin.msi.
  2. Open an MS-DOS prompt with Administrative permissions.
  3. Run one of the following commands depending on the type of installation that you want to perform:
    • Basic UI mode:
      msiexec.exe /i jdk-22_windows-x64_bin.msi 
    • Silent mode:
      msiexec.exe jdk-22_windows-x64_bin.msi /qn 
Creating a Log File

You can use a log file to verify that an installation succeeded.

To create a log file describing the installation, append /L C:\path\setup.log to the install command and scroll to the end of the log file to verify.

The following is an example of creating a log file:

msiexec.exe /i installer.msi /L C:\path\setup.log 

In this example, the log is written to the C:\path\setup.log file.

Installing the JDK Silently

Instead of double-clicking or opening the JDK installer, you can perform a silent, non-interactive, JDK installation by using command-line arguments.

Install JDK in silent mode using the command:
jdk.exe /s

Note:

  • The notation jdk stands for the downloaded installer file base name, such as jdk-22_windows-x64_bin.exe.
  • You don't need to run the ADDLOCAL command as everything is installed by default.

Beginning to Use the JDK

Select Java Development Kit in the Windows Start menu to access information related to Reference Documentation.

During JDK installation and uninstallation processes, Start menu items are updated so that they are associated with the latest JDK version on the system.

Note:

Windows 10 has a Start menu; however, the menu is not available in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. The JDK and Java information in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 is available in the following Start directory: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs.

Uninstalling the JDK on Windows

To uninstall JDK 22, use the Add/Remove Programs utility in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel.

Uninstalling the JDK in Silent Mode

You can use the command line for uninstalling the JDK.

Use the following command to uninstall the JDK in silent mode:
MsiExec.exe/X{<UninstallString>} 

For example, to uninstall JDK 18, run the command:

MsiExec.exe /X{B1405ADC-C0CA-5E63-B1E0-51F5A9A2627C}

To find <UninstallString>, see Finding the JDK Registry Key and UninstallString Value.

Note:

  • This command can be run from anywhere.
  • The msiexec.exe executable is located in the windows system directory.
  • A reboot is required only if some files are in use during uninstallation; it is not necessary everytime. However, to manually suppress reboot while uninstalling, append REBOOT=R option to the command.
  • Append /l "C:\<path>setup.log" option to the command if you want to create a log file describing the uninstallation status.

The Windows Installer dialog appears prompting you for confirmation. Click Yes to uninstall JDK.

Finding the JDK Registry Key and UninstallString Value

  1. Go to the Start and type regedit.
  2. In the Registry Editor, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Uninstall.

    Under the Uninstall folder, you will find many registry entries within curly brackets.

  3. Click Edit and then Find.

    Note:

    Highlight the Uninstall folder before performing search for a particular registry.
  4. Enter version string as value to find corresponding registry key. For example, enter jdk-22.

    The registry key is highlighted on the right-hand side of the pane and values of various uninstall strings are displayed on the left-hand pane.

  5. Note the value of the UninstallString.

JDK Installation Troubleshooting

The topic provide tips for resolving issues while installing JDK.

System Error During Decompression

If you see the error message: system error during decompression, then there might not be enough space on the disk that contains the TEMP directory.

Program Cannot Be Run in DOS Mode

If you see the error message: This program cannot be run in DOS mode, then do the following:

  1. Open the MS-DOS shell or command prompt window.

  2. Right-click the title bar.

  3. Select Properties.

  4. Select the Program tab.

  5. Click Advanced.

  6. Ensure that the item Prevent MS-DOS-based programs from detecting Windows is not selected.

  7. Select OK.

  8. Select OK again.

  9. Exit the MS-DOS shell.

  10. Restart your computer.

Characters That Are Not Part of the System Code Page

A 1722 error may occur if the installation directory is not part of the system locale's code page. To prevent this, ensure that the user and system locales are identical, and that the installation path contains only characters that are part of the system locale's code page. User and system locales can be set in the Regional Options or Regional Settings control panel.

The associated bug number is 4895647.

Cleanup the Registry After a Failed JDK Uninstall

Sometimes, attempts to uninstall JDK through the Windows Add/Remove program leave behind some Java entries in the registry that are not fully removed. These left behind registry entries can cause problems in installing a new version of Java. The following are the methods to cleanup registry entries:

  • Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter (Recommended Method)
  • Manual Registry Edit

Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter (Recommended Method)

Run the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter to repair the corrupted registry keys that prevent programs from being completely uninstalled, or blocks new installations and updates.

Manually edit the registry (Use this only if the Fix It utility does not work)

Incorrectly editing your registry may severely damage your system. You should back up any valued data from your computer before making changes to the registry.

To save the registry key before deleting, in the menu bar, select File and then Export. In case you deleted the wrong registry key, you can restore the registry from your saved backup file by selecting from the menu bar File and then Import .

To delete the registry key:

  1. Determine the correct Registry Key. See Finding the JDK Registry Key and UninstallString Value.

  2. Highlight the key, Right click and select Delete.

  3. Click Yes when prompted.

The JDK gets uninstalled.

Fixing Shim Situation when JDK 22 and JRE 8 are Installed

When you install JDK 22 and then install JRE 8, and then run the java -version command, 1.8.0 is displayed in the output instead of 22. This is because the javapath is placed before JDK 22 location in the user environment path.

This is a bug with the JRE 8 installer. To fix this shim situation, uninstall and reinstall JDK 22.