Download & Install the JDK

(Free Web Tutorials & Resources)

by Michael Thomas
(updated 10/18/2016)

Java First Steps Home Page

To begin to play with Java, you need to download the following files:  Java JDK (Java Development Kit) aka SDK (Software Development Kit), JRE (Java Runtime Environment) and the Java API Doc's.  

Prerequisites

• Know how to unzip a file and create directories. Click here for help on these prerequisites.

• This tutorials has been tested in the following environment:
  Date: 10/18/2015
  OS: Win 10
  

Summary of steps

• Download the Java Products:  JDK, DOC's, and JRE

• Install each of the products
• Test the installs.

Terms

• JDK = Java Development Kit.  You install the JDK when you install the Java SE. To compile a Java program you need the JDK.

• JRE = Java Runtime Environment.  The JRE is required if you want to run a Java program.
• Java EE vs SE.
  • Abbreviations:
    Java EE = Java Enterprise Edition (has the SE and adds an Application Server).
    Java SE = Java Standard Edition
  • I suggest always installing the SE.  Later you can install an Application Server if needed.

Download the Java Products

You will be downloading the JDK (Java Development Kit), JRE (Java Runtime Environment), Java Docs and optional sample/demos.

• OPTIONAL Reference: Checksum hash values
  
• Checksum hash values (md5, sha256) are given for each executable file you download so you can verify that the downloaded file has not been modified.
• Checksum Hash Tutorial - has reference to online and installed tools you can use to verify the downloads.
  NOTE: The java install is over 100MB!  Will not work with some online tools.
  

• JDK SE 8u11 - Current download version as of 10/18/16 that is not a beta version. 

  • Download: JDK

    • Go to: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
    • Click the "Download" tab which is next to the "Overview" tab.
    • Locate the section "Java Platform, Standard Edition", "Java SE 8u111 / 8u112".  
    • Click the link for JDK "Download"
    • Go to the section:  Java SE Development Kit 8u111
    • Select "Accept License Agreement"
    • Using Right-Click "Save As" on the download link for the OS you have save the "exe" file to your local PC.
      Example: Windows x64; 194.64 MB; jdk-8u111-windows-x64.exe
      Note: There is a link for "Checksum" (md5, sha256) for every executable file.
      
  • Download: Java Documentation
    • Go to: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
    • Click the "Download" tab which is next to the "Overview" tab.
    • Go to the section: Additional Resources
    • Here is some notes on the 2 links:
      Java SE 8 Documentation - online documentation.  You may want to bookmark this link.
      Docs Installation Instructions - online JDK install notes 
    • Click "Download" button in right column.
    • Go to the section: Java SE Development Kit 8u111 Documentation
      • Click "Accept License Agreement"
      • Using Right-Click "Save As" on the download link save the zip file your local PC.
        ex: jdk-8u111-docs-all.zip - Documentation (89.11 MB)
    • Go to the section: JavaFX API Documentation
      • Click "Accept License Agreement"
      • Using Right-Click "Save As" on the download link save the zip file your local PC.
        ex: javafx-8u111-apidocs.zip - Download (10.11 MB)
  • Download: Java Demos and Samples
  • Go to: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
  • Click the "Download" tab which is next to the "Overview" tab.
  • Go to the section: JDK 8 Demos and Samples
  • Click the "Download" icon.
  • Go to the section titled: Java SE Development Kit 8u111 Demos and Samples
  • Click "Accept License Agreement"
  • Using Right-Click "Save As" on the download link save the zip file your local PC.
    ex: jdk-8u111-windows-x64-demos.zip - Download (53.83 MB)
  • Reference: Online Java Documentation
    • http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8 - Java SE 8 docs
      • Click "Java SE API Documentation" - Java SE 8 API docs
      • Click "Java Tutorials Learning Paths" - Java Tutorial
  • Reference: Online Tutorials, Demos, Videos, Certification
    • http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8 - Click the "Home" tab.
      
    • Get Started with Java
    • Get Started with JavaFX
    • Java Tutorials Learning Paths
    • http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8 - Click the "All Books" tab.
    • http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
      
    • In right panel find "Java Resources"
    • Tutorials
    • Demos and Videos
    • Click "Training" tab
    • Click "Java Certification"
      
• Download Reference Information:
  • Archive Download Versions:
    http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
    Go to the section "Java Archive" and click "Download" button.
    
  • My Install Notes for Older versions
    • Java Jem - Download & Install the JDK version 6
    • Java Jem - Download & Install the JDK version 8u66 on Win 7
      

Install the JDK

Install Notes for: Java SE 8U111

• WARNING NOTE: Here is information in case the install fails and "bin\javac.exe" get installed but is 0 bytes.
  
  • The fix:
  • The solution is to make sure the User's  "Environment Variables"  for both TEMP & TMP are set to "c:\temp" before starting the install.
    (WARNING: First, make sure that the directory exists: c:\temp)
    I've seen the "bin\javac.exe" get installed with 0 bytes. 
    I've seen other software installs have similar issues so I would leave it set to c:\temp unless multiple users use the computer.
    Maybe making sure the directory that the two variables point to exists will fix the issue but I'm not sure.
    
  • See the section below "Windows Environment Variables" to see how to change the values.
  • For reference, here is the default values for TEMP & TMP:
    TEMP: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp (Win 7, 8, 10)
  • Reference Note: The "System Variables" TEMP & TMP defaults to: %SystemRoot%\TEMP which is C:\Windows\TEMP
    
  
  
• Reference: Windows Environment Variables - how to set/change
  (NOTE: This section is for reference as needed during the install)
• Win 10:
• Launch Control Panel, click "System & Security", "System", "Advanced System Settings", click "Environment Variables" (bottom right) then look in the top section called "User variables for ...."
  
• Win 8
• I believe is the same as Win 10
  
• Win 7:
• Same as Win 10
• Win XP Pro:
  
• Settings, Control Panel, System, Advanced tab, click on "Environment Variable" button

• Version Java SE 8u111
  • Install the Java SE JDK  (Example of Windows 64 bit install)
    File: jdk-8u111-windows-x64.exe
    • Double click on the install file. 
    • Welcome Screen - click "Next"
    • Screen: Custom Setup
      • WARNING: Click "Change"
        I suggest you use the following directory structure:  c:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111
        Note: The default is: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_111
        Reasons why:
        1. The spaces in "Program Files" will give you headaches down the road and may be difficult to get certain applications working! 
        2. I personally like having all my Java JDK versions in a directory of my choice.
           If possible, it is my preference to have all my development tools and data I create under the directory "_data".
           
      • Optional notes for reference:
        1. Development Tools- JDK, JavaFX SDK, private JRE, Java Mission Controls tools suite.
        2. Source Code - source for public API of Java
        3. Public JRE - standalone JRE (for browsers & java runtime).
      • Click "Next"
    • Screen: Destination Folder
      • Check that you are installing to: c:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111
      • Click "Next"

    • Screen: Complete
      

      • Note: At the "Complete" if you click "Next Steps" you will be taken to the online docs.
        Online docs: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs
        
      • Click "Close"
      • Note: No reboot is required. 
    • Environment Variables: JAVA_HOME
      • Add/Verify Environment Variables so other Java tools/apps can use the value.
        1. Go to the "Windows Environment Variable" add/edit screen. (See section above)
        2. Set the JAVA_HOME environment variable
           In the "System Variables" section: (not User variables)
           Verify/Add the JAVA_HOME environment variable:
           Click "New"
           Variable Name: JAVA_HOME
           Variable Value: <Full path to the home directory of your JDK install>
           Ex: c:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111
           Note: Other Java tools may use this environment system variable like: Ant
           (WARNING: Exit completely for setting to take place. Close all DOS screens too!)
           
        1. Next, test the JAVA_HOME setting. 
           Go to DOS and run the following:
           DOS: set JAVA_HOME
           Result should be: JAVA_HOME=c:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111
        2. From DOS run the following:
           DOS: %JAVA_HOME%\bin\java.exe -fullversion
           Results should be: java full version "1.8.0_111-b14"
           
        3. Set the PATH System Environment Variable:Note: This is only needed if you want to easily compile from the DOS prompt. This is usually not needed for IDE's Eclipse.
           In the "System Variables" section: (not User variables)
           Edit the variable: Path
           Add %JAVA_HOME%\bin
           (For Windows versions prior to Win 10,  add the following to the end of the PATH variable: ;%JAVA_HOME%\bin;)
           (WARNING: Exit completely for setting to take place. Close all DOS screens too!)
           
        1. Next, test the path.
           Go to DOS and run the following:
           DOS: javac -help
           Results: Should see info
        2. DOS: path
           Results: Somewhere in the info towards the end you should see "c:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111\bin;"  (NOTE: it converts to the value of JAVA_HOME.)
           The System Variables are shown first and then the "User Variables".
           
• Install the Java Docs
  • NOTE:  I suggest creating a separate directory for the Java docs. 
    Create the directory: c:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111_docs
  • Extract "jdk-8u111-docs-all.zip" to the new directory.
    You may need to move files around after extracting so they are directly in the directory. Later you will test this install.

• Install the Java Demos & Samples

• NOTE:  I suggest creating a separate directory for the Java docs. 
  Create the directory: C:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111_demos
• Extract "jdk-8u111-windows-x64-demos.zip" to the new directory.
  You may need to move files around after extracting so they are directly in the directory.  Later you will test this install.
  
  

Test the Installs of JDK, Java Docs & Java Demos/Samples

• Reboot your PC - To be on the safe side, let's reboot.  Not normally necessary.
• Test Java Docs - Using a browser launch the following files:  (You may want to bookmark these.)
  Offline (local) docs you installed:
  file:///C:/_data/java/jdk1.8.0_111_docs/docs/index.html - links to all offline docs.
  file:///C:/_data/java/jdk1.8.0_111_docs/docs/api/index.html - Java SE API offline doc.
  Online docs:
  http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs - links to all online docs.
  http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/index.html - online Java SE 8 API docs.
• Test the Java Demos
• From a browser (put in URL window)
  
• Applet Demos
  file:///C:/_data/java/jdk1.8.0_111_demos/demo/applets.html
  
• Double click from Windows explorer or run from DOS prompt:
• Ensemble8 Demo
  C:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111_demos\demo\javafx_samples\Ensemble8.jar
• MandelbrotSet Demo
  C:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111_demos\demo\javafx_samples\MandelbrotSet.jar
• Modena Demo
  C:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111_demos\demo\javafx_samples\Modena.jar
  
• Reference: Learn how to go to a DOS prompt. ( ie: C:\> )
  Windows: Click the start button, then in the run box type: cmd.exe
  Other Options:
  * For Win 10: In the "Ask me Anything" put: cmd.exe (should show Command Prompt)
  * For Win 8: Start icon, Search icon, cmd.exe (click cmd.exe)
  * For Win 7: Start, Programs, Command Prompt.
  * For XP, Win200, NT: Click the start button, then in the run box type: cmd.exe
  * For Win 95/98: Click the start button, then in the run box type: command.com
• Test the public JRE: 
  • At a DOS Prompt (ie C:\>) type:  "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.8.0_111\bin\java.exe" -fullversion
    (Warning: need the quotes ("...") because of the space in "Program Files".)
    Ex return: java full version "1.8.0_111-b14"
  • At a DOS Prompt (ie C:\>) type:  java -fullversion
    Ex return: java full version "1.8.0_111-b14"
  • At a DOS Prompt (ie C:\>) type:  java -version
    Ex return:
    java version "1.8.0_111"
    Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_111-b14)
    Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.111-b14, mixed mode)
• Test the private JDK's JRE:
  • At a DOS Prompt (ie C:\>) type: c:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111\bin\java.exe -fullversion
    Ex return: java full version "1.8.0_111-b14"
• Test private JDK's javac.exe (compile Java source) command:
  • At a DOS Prompt (ie C:\>) type: c:\_data\java\jdk1.8.0_111\bin\javac.exe -help
    Returns help for the command.
  • (Note:  If DOS gives the error: ... javac.exe is not a valid Win32 application, the file exists but the byte size = 0 then reinstall the JDK.  I would change the Users "Environment Variables" temp & tmp to "c:\temp".  Then click on the EXE again and choose the option to "Reinstall".  (voice of experience!).)
• Test your Environment Variable: Path
  • If you will be compiling Java source code from the DOS prompt then do this test.  Some will only be compiling with an IDE like Eclipse.
  • At a DOS Prompt (ie C:\>) type: javac.exe -help  (Note: javac.exe and not java.exe!)
    Ex return: Help info for javac.exe (Java compile) command.
    (Note: If you get a error, go back up to the section where the PATH variable is set and follow those steps.)
• Test your Environment Variable: JAVA_HOME
  • At a DOS Prompt (ie C:\>) type: %JAVA_HOME%\bin\javac.exe -help
    Returns help for the command.
    (Note: If you get a error, go back up to the section where the JAVA_HOME variable is set and follow those steps.)
• Optional Notes: 
  • java.exe - java.exe may come from several locations!
    • Warning:  Every time you install a JDK or JRE, the file "java.exe" is over written (see notes below for the directory location). Remember this when you are testing different JRE versions.
      (Ex files: java.exe, javaw.exe, javaws.exe)
      At a DOS Prompt (ie C:\>) type:
      
      • Win 10:
        C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath\java.exe -fullversion
      • Win 8:
        same as Win 7
        
      • Win 7:
        C:\Windows\System32\java.exe -fullversion
        c:\Windows\SysWOW64\java.exe -fullversion
        
      • Legacy Windows OSs:
        c:\winnt\java.exe -fullversion
        c:\windows\java.exe -fullversion
  • Registry key 'Software\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment\CurrentVersion' 

Congratulations,
you have installed the JDK/SDK, JRE, and Java Docs!

Uninstall Notes

• Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, then click "Remove" for the following:
  • For Java 6 (1.6.xxx)
    Uninstall the JDK - Example: Java(TM) SE Development Kit 6 Update 6
    Uninstall the JRE - Example: Java(TM) 6 Update 6
  • For Java 5 (1.5.xxx)
    Uninstall the JDK - Example: Java2SE Development Kit 5.0
    Uninstall the JRE - Example: Java2SE Runtime Environment Kit 5.0

    Terminology

  • Java SDK - compile code, run applications, create API's for your code, etc...
    • SDK - Software Development Kit.  Any way you download a SDK.  After installation the directory will be called "JDK1.3"  etc...
    • JDK - Java Development Kit - compile code, run applications, crate API's for your code, etc...
      Note: Version 1.1 was called JDK 1.1.  (Next versions were called J2SDK.)
    • J2SE - Java 2 Standard Edition.
    • J2EE - Java 2 Enterprise Edition
    • J2SDK vx.x - Java 2 Software Development Kit - compile & run Java programs.
    • J2RE  vx.x - Java 2 Runtime Environment - run java programs (you can't compile).
  • Java API Docs - html files you can use to guide you through the Java classes.
    API - Application Interface.
  • JRE - Java Runtime Environment.  The JRE v 1.2 and above also includes the Java Plug-In.  Use the JRE to run java applications. It is the runtime part of the Java Development Kit, but without the development tools such as compilers and debuggers.  This is what your users will use to run Java applications.  You don't need it unless you want to test what the users will be using.
  • Java Plug-In:  needed to run Java Applets that use Java technology (versions) in which the browsers (IE, Netscape, etc...) have not implement yet.  You do not use the applet tags in this case.  Use the HTMLconverter to convert the applet tag to the appropriate object tag.

    Miscellaneous Reference Information (Size of Files & Browser Compatibility)

  • Java SE 8 Online docs - (API v8)
  • J2SE 1.7Java SE API Online Docs - (API v7)
  • J2SE 1.6
    Java SE API Online Docs - (API v6)
    Note: The JDK also contains the JRE.
    JDK -  jdk-6u21-windows-x64.exe - 68 MB
    Docs -jdk-6u10-docs.zip - 58MB; jdk-6-doc.zip - 52.36 MB
    JDK Online API docs - Java SE API Documentation - (API v7) (API v6)
  • J2SE 1.5
    Note: The JDK also contains the JRE.
    JDK - jdk-1_5_0-windows-i586.exe - 45Meg
    Docs - jdk-1_5_0-doc.zip - 45Meg
    JRE - jre-1_5_0-windows-i586.exe
    Installs to:
    • JDK 1.3.1_01 - c:\jdk1.3.1_01
    • JDK 1.3.0 - All install to c:\jdk1.3
  • J2SE 1.4
  • J2SE 1.3
    • JDK 1.3.1 33Meg, Doc's 22Meg, JRE 5.2Meg
      (ex: SDK: j2sdk-1_3_1_01-win.exe, Docs: j2sdk-1_3_1-doc.zip, JRE: j2re-1_3_1-win.exe)
    • Browsers that support JDK 1.3
      • As of 9/6/01 None - best support is Netscape 6
  • J2SE 1.2.2_017  (released 12/4/98)
    • J2SE 1.2.2: JDK ~21M, Doc's ~18M, JRE ~5.3M  (Will not work on Win NT 3.51)
      • 2 Downloads:  J2SE SDK (included JRE) & Docs
      • J2SE install also installs the JRE.
        • Default JRE path: c:\Program Files\JavaSoft\JRE\1.2
      • JDK Default install: C:\jdk1.2.2
      • Doc default install: c:\j2sdkee1.2.1\docs - (Note: Unzip in the c:\jdk1.2.2 directory)
    • Browsers that support JDK 1.2
      • As of 9/6/01 Netscape 6
  • JDK 1.1.8_010
    • JDK ~9M, Doc's ~3.6M , JRE - ~2.7M
      JDK - didn't include the docs.  The docs was in a .zip file that you extracted.
    • Browsers that support JDK 1.1
      • IE 4.x, 5.x
      • NS 4.x
      • HotJava 3.x

      Download Managers
      Having Download Problems ?
      (info as of 2008)

  Download Managers - I suggest you get a program to help in downloading large files.  Even if you get knocked of the internet, it will resume again.  I've downloaded a 500 meg file before.  They will normal be launched from your browser.

  • http://www.5star-shareware.com/Internet/DownloadManagers/netzip-demon.html - Netzip Download Demon - I use this product.  This product will automaticall work with HTTP downloads only, not FTP.
  • http://www.gozilla.com/ - go!zilla