6 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-11 and jdk-11.0.1 simultaneously. If you attempt to install jdk-11.0.1 after jdk-11 is installed, the installer uninstalls jdk-11 and installs jdk-11.0.1.

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 11.0.1 is installed in /Program Files/Java/jdk-11.

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

Access 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-11.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.

Running the JDK Installer

You must have administrator privilege to install the JDK on Microsoft Windows.
To run the JDK installer:
  1. Start the JDK 11 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 the disk space.

Note:

During installation, the following files are copied to the location mentioned:
"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 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-11_windows-x64_bin.exe.

Beginning to Use the JDK

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

During JDK install, Java menu items are added to the Windows Start menu to provide easy access to Reference Documentation, which is online documentation web page.

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

Note:

The Windows 7 and Windows 10 have 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 11, 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 11, run the command:

MsiExec.exe/X{E973EEA1-3C61-5347-8DF7-30494D4EC697}

To find the 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.

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

Finding the JDK Registry Key and UninstallString Value

  1. Go to 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 Uninstall folder before performing search for a particular registry.
  4. Enter version string as value to find corresponding registry key. For example, enter jdk-11.

    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 following sections provide tips for resolving issues, if any, 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.

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.

Use the File->Export functionality of the registry editor to save the registry key before deleting. In case you deleted the wrong registry key, you can restore the registry from your saved backup file, by using the File->Import functionality.

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.