Last updated: January 21, 2021
- Companion video: How to update Java on your computer
Java is a programming language released in 1995 by Sun Microsystems. Oracle Corporation acquired Sun Microsystems in 2009. At that time, Oracle became the self-described “steward of Java technology.” Many applications and web sites use Java. An end-user may need to install a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) on their computer to view Java content. JRE runs as a web browser plug-in. Due to security flaws that may exist in older versions of Java, it is important to know how to update Java. Verify and update Java on your computer using the instructions below for your operating system.
Do not confuse Java with JavaScript. JavaScript is a scripting language that runs within web browsers that support it. JavaScript causes the content in an HTML document to behave dynamically like a program. It provides interactivity in web pages for actions like games, button responses, animation and more.
Java for Windows
If you have a Windows computer, verify your computer’s Java installation by visiting Java.com using Internet Explorer (Chrome users | Firefox users | Edge users). Note that the Java plug-in is no longer directly supported by the Google Chrome web browser, but you can use Java in Chrome with a popular extension. The Microsoft Edge web browser has never included Java support, but it offers an easy method to access Java content from Edge.
Click the Agree and Continue button. The Java verification process will check to see if you have the recommended version of Java installed. It will also check to see if you have old, vulnerable versions of Java to uninstall.
You may also see a Java Update Needed alert dialog display that informs you if Your Java version is out of date. To update Java on your computer, click Update (recommended).
The Java Detection applet will ask for your permission to run. Click the Run button to continue.
The Java Detection applet will provide a verification result. If a new version of Java is available, the notification will display your current version, and the new Java version. Click the red Download Java Now button to update Java on your computer.
The update process will prompt you to read and agree to the end user license agreement. If you agree, click Agree and Start Free Download to continue.
When asked, Do you want to run or save JavaSetup8uXXX.exe…, click the Run button.
A Java install wizard dialog will display. Click the Install button to continue with the installation.
A Java installation progress dialog will display so you can monitor the installation process.
Uninstall Out-of-Date Java versions
Once Java installs, the installation process will automatically search for out-of-date Java versions. Out-of-date Java versions may place your computer at risk for vulnerabilities. To uninstall old versions of Java found on your computer, click the Uninstall> button.
Progress of the uninstallation of out-of-date Java versions will display.
When the uninstallation of out-of-date Java version has completed, click Next> to continue.
A dialog will inform you when the Java installation is successful. Congratulations!
Return to the Java verification web page. The verification process will inform you that you have the recommend Java version installed.
Keep in mind that installing Java on your Windows computer requires administrator access. Once the Java installation is successful, restart your web browser. Restart your web browser by closing ALL open browser tabs and windows, then re-launch your web browser. Run this test applet to test the success of your Java installation.
Java for Mac
For more information on how to update Java on Mac, please see How can I install Java Missing Plug-in With Mac OS X?
With the release of Java 7 Update 6, Mac users were able to download the latest Java version for OS X from Java.com. Before Java 7 Update 6, Apple provided and maintained its own “flavor” of Java for Mac. When you verify your Java version, the recommended version of Java will install on your Mac. Be sure to check your Mac to be certain that no old versions of Java are still installed. If you discover an older Java version installed, uninstall it immediately.
Java for Linux
Oracle provides two types of Linux installation packages on its Java.com web site. One is an archive binary file for any user to install, and to any location to which a user has write privileges. A root user has the option to install Java to the system location. The second type is a 32-bit RPM-based binary file for use on Red Hat and SuSE systems. It requires root access. Below please find links to Oracle’s latest version of Java for Linux:
Java Installation Instructions for Linux
See Java Downloads For All Operating Systems
References for January 19, 2021, Java Update
Java 8 Update 281 Release Notes
Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Update
US-CERT: Oracle Releases January 2021 Security Bulletin
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