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

By default, the JDK is installed in C:/Program Files/Java/jdk-<FEATURE> where <FEATURE> is the feature release number. For example, the default installation directory for JDK 26 would be C:/Program Files/Java/jdk-26, and the default installation directory for JDK 26 would be C:/Program Files/Java/jdk-26.0.1.

A junction, which is an alias to another directory on the computer, is created that points to the latest JDK 26 feature release. This junction is removed when the last JDK 26 installation is uninstalled.

For example, if JDK 26.0.1 is the latest JDK 26 feature release, and you also have also installed JDK 26, then when you install JDK 26.0.1, the JDK installer creates a junction named C:\Program Files\Java\latest\jdk-26 that points to where JDK 26.0.1 was installed (which is, by default, C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-26.0.1).

Note:

Don't replace or overwrite the JDK installation while any Java processes are running. Stop all Java processes completely before updating, overwriting, or replacing the JDK directory with a new version to prevent unexpected errors.

JDK Installation Instructions for Windows

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

Install JDK on Windows computers by performing the actions described in the following topics:

Downloading the JDK Installer

In a browser, go to the Java SE Development Kit 11 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-26.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.

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 26 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 26.

  1. Download jdk-26_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-26_windows-x64_bin.msi from the Java SE Downloads page.
  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-26_windows-x64_bin.msi
    • Silent mode: 
      msiexec.exe jdk-26_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-26_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 26, 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-26.

    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.