How to Update or Download Java on PC, Mac, or Linux

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Learn how to keep Java up to date in just a few simple steps
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Typically, Java checks for updates automatically and notifies you when an update is available. You can also update Java manually, and it's easy to do on your Windows or Linux PC, as well as on your Mac. You can also change the schedule for when Java automatically checks for updates and install the latest version of Java from the internet. This wikiHow article teaches you the various ways you can update Java on any computer.

Quick Steps

  1. Open the Java Control Panel on your PC or Mac.
  2. Click the Update tab at the top.
  3. Click Update Now .
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Updating Java on Windows

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  1. Use the following steps to update Java on Windows:
    • Click the Windows Start button.
    • Type "Configure Java"
    • Click Configure Java in the search results.
  2. This is at the top of the Java control panel window.
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  3. You'll find this button in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so prompts Java to begin looking for an update. [1]
    • If you receive a message that says you're already running the latest version of Java, then Java has already been updated to the latest version.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Updating Java on a Mac

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  1. Here's how to open it on your Mac:
    • Click the Apple icon in the menu bar at the top.
    • Click System Settings .
    • Scroll down and click Java in the left panel.
  2. This is at the top of the Java control panel window.
  3. You'll find this button in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so prompts Java to begin looking for an update. [2]
    • If you receive a message that says you're already running the latest version of Java, then Java has already been updated to the latest version.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Updating Java on Linux

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  1. You can update Java easily using the Terminal in Linux using your package manager.
  2. The way you will do this is different depending on your Linux distribution. Type one of the following commands and press Enter to update your repositories:
    • Debian/Ubuntu/Mint: sudo apt update .
    • Red Had/Fedora: sudo dnf update .
    • OpenSUSE: sudo zypper patch .
    • Arch Linux: sudo pacman -Syu .
  3. The latest version of Java is JDK 23. You can also install previous versions of Java. Use one of the following commands to search for available versions of Java:
    • Debian/Ubuntu/Mint: sudo apt-cache search openjdk
    • Red Hat/Fedora: sudo dnf search openjdk
    • OpenSUSE: sudo zypper search openjdk-devel
    • Arch Linux: sudo pacman -sS java
  4. Use one of the following commands to install OpenJava JDK. These commands will update Java on Linux to JDK 23. If you want to install a different version, you can modify the command to install the version of Java you want (i.e., "sudo apt install openjdk-24"). Use one of the following commands to install Java on Linux:
    • Debian/Ubuntu/Mint: sudo apt install openjdk-23 . [3]
    • Red Hat/Fedora: sudo dnf install java-23-openjdk-devel . [4]
    • OpenSUSE: sudo zypper install java-23-openjdk-devel .
    • Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S jdk23-openjdk
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Updating Automatically on PC & Mac

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  1. By default, Java will check for updates automatically once a week. If an update is available, you will be notified that an update is ready to be installed. Click the notification when it appears.
    • You can check your notifications by clicking the date and time on both Windows and Mac. On Windows, it's in the taskbar in the lower-right corner. On a Mac, it's in the menu bar in the upper-right corner.
  2. If you are using Windows, a control access pop-up window will appear asking if you want to allow Java to make changes to your computer. Click Yes to continue. Then, click Update to update Java now.
    • If you don't want to install the Java update when the notification appears, you can click Later instead. You will be prompted to install the Java update at a later time.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Changing the Automatic Updates Schedule

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  1. If you want Java to update automatically on your Windows PC or Mac, you can set it up to do so on your preferred schedule. Use one of the following steps to open the Java Control Panel:
    • Windows: Click the Windows Start button and type Configure Java . Click Configure Java .
    • Mac: Click the Apple icon at the top and then click System Settings . Click the Java icon.
  2. It's the second tab at the top of the page. This displays the Update options.
  3. Java will notify you before updating automatically. Use the drop-down menu next to "Notify Me" to select if you want to be notified before downloading the update or before installing the update.
  4. It's the checkbox below the "Notify Me" drop-down menu. This option is usually checked by default.
  5. It's the button next to the checkbox. This displays advanced update options.
  6. Click one of the radio options to the left to select how often you want to check for updates. The options are "Daily," "Weekly," or "Monthly."
    • If you select "Monthly," Java will check for updates weekly and then notify you within 30 days. If an update is considered critical, you will be notified within the week.
  7. Use the drop-down menu next to "Every" to select a day to check for updates. You can select any day of the week.
  8. Use the drop-down menu next to "At" to select the exact hour Java will check for updates.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Installing Java

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  1. Go to https://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp in a web browser. To install the latest version of Java, you can download it from the official website.
  2. Java is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Scroll down and click the link for your operating system.
    • If you have an internet connection, click Windows Online for the fastest installation method. If you want to install Java on a computer that doesn't have an internet connection, you'll need to click Windows Offline or Windows Offline (64-bit) to download the executable file to install Java on an offline computer. [5]
    • If you have a 32-bit and a 64-bit web browser, you will need to download and install both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Java.
    • You need administrative privileges to install Java on a Mac.
  3. By default, your downloaded files are usually found in your "Downloads" folder. Double-click the installation file once it is finished downloading. On Windows, it will be an ".exe" file. On Mac, it will be a ".dmg" file.
  4. The install wizard will display a page informing you that this version of Java is for personal use only. Java requires a separate license for commercial purposes. If you agree to the terms, click Install . This will install the latest version of Java. If you don't agree to the terms, click Remove .
  5. Once Java is finished installing, click Close to close the install wizard.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My computer is giving errors when I try to update java.
    Community Answer
    Try shutting the computer down for a few minutes then boot it back up.
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      Tips

      • Installing the latest version of Java will replace your current version with the updated Java installation.
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      • If you receive a Java update pop-up window on a random page in your browser, close the page and attempt to update Java as outlined in this article rather than using the pop-up. Some pages will use fake update messages to get you to install a virus.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.java.com/en/download/help/java_update.html
      2. ↑ https://www.java.com/en/download/help/java_update.html
      3. ↑ https://wiki.debian.org/Java
      4. ↑ https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/quick-docs/installing-java/
      5. ↑ https://www.java.com/en/download/help/download_options.html

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