Platform Installation

Welcome to the Java Platform Installation page!

Do you want to run Java programs, or do you want to develop Java programs? If you want to run Java programs, but not develop them, download the Java Runtime Environment, or JRE.

If you want to develop applications for Java, download the Java Development Kit, or JDK. The JDK includes the JRE, so you do not have to download both separately.

Which platform do you use? We support the following:

Supported Systems Configuration

If you use an Apple product, such as a Macbook, please see the Apple Developer Connection to download the Java platform for your system.

Solaris Operating System

From the following table, select the instructions corresponding to your version of the Java release.

JDK JRE
README README
Solaris Solaris 64-bit Solaris Solaris 64-bit

In order to run Java applets within a browser, you must install the JRE plugin manually. Instructions for that process are available here:

Microsoft Windows

From the following table, select the instructions corresponding to your version of the Java release.

JDK JRE
README README
Windows Windows 64-bit Windows Windows 64-bit

For most people, the installation instructions in the previous table are all that you need. The following advanced options, available only on Microsoft Windows, are also available.

  • As of Java SE 6 Update 10, the release may be installed in one of two configurations: patch-in-place or static. For more information, see Java Runtime Environment Configuration.
  • To quietly install the Java platform behind the scenes, and for information on other install options, see JRE Installer Options.
  • When you need a quicker installation, the kernel installation is an option. In this scenario, a small set of core functionality is initially downloaded. For more information.
  • The Windows releases of Java Plug-in and Java Web Start support the ability to automatically download a particular version of the JRE. In this scenario, when the user launches a program using one of these mechanisms, the correct version of the JRE is installed behind the scenes, as needed. For more information, and for a list of available .cab files, see Autodownload Files.

Linux

Some Linux platforms, such as Red Hat and SuSE, are RPM-based, which provide an automated way to install software. Some Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, are not RPM-based. For these Linux systems, you must manually install the Java platform by using a self-extracting binary file.

From the following table, select the instructions corresponding to your version of the Java release.

JDK JRE
README README
RPM Linux RPM Linux 64-bit RPM Linux RPM Linux 64-bit
Self Extracting Linux Self Extracting Linux 64-bit Self Extracting Linux Self Extracting Linux 64-bit

In order to run Java applets within a browser, you must install the JRE plugin manually. Instructions for that process are available here: