Install Oracle Java JDK on Windows 11

This post shows students and new users how to install Oracle Java JDK on Windows 11. Anyone building Java-based applications will be using the Java programming language. Java language is popular in almost all operating systems.

You’ll need to install Java JDK to build and use Java applications in Windows 11. The JDK includes tools for developing and testing programs written in the Java programming language and running on the Java platform.

Below are steps that one can take to download, install, and add Java executables to Windows PATH environment variables.

How to download and install Java JDK in Windows 11

As mentioned above, you’ll need Java JDK installed to build and develop Java programs in Windows. The steps below show you how to do that.

First, download the Java JDK package using the link below.

Oracle Java Downloads

On the download page, choose the Java JDK Windows installer (.EXE) and download.

Once downloaded, go to your Downloads folder and run the JAVA executable (jdk-17_windows-x64_bin).

When you double-click the installer, it should launch the Windows installer to install Java. When prompted, click Next to continue.

Accept the default installation option, including the path. By default, Java is installed in the C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-version-number.

At the end of the installation, click Close.

Java is installed correctly. Now, follow the next step to configure environment variables for Java.

As you can see, the Java home folder is at C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17.0.1. This is not a standard execution path in Windows. To use Java effectively, you must add JAVA HOME to the PATH environment variable.

How to add Java to the PATH environment variables in Windows 11

Most programs will default add their custom shortcuts to Windows PATH environment variables.

Some programs will not automatically add to the System Path variables but let users edit or add to the path so that the program can function correctly.

All about Windows PATH Environment Variables can be found at the link below:

How to add or edit Windows PATH environment variables in Windows 11

To add JAVA to the PATH environment, open Environment Variables from the System Properties ==> Advanced tab.

On the Environment Variables properties window, under System variables, click the New button.

Type JAVA_HOME in the Variable name field, and type the path where Java is located in the Variable value field. Then click OK.

Next, select the Path variable under the System variable and click Edit. Confirm that a variable path for Java is included, as highlighted in the image below.

If not, you may have to add a new variable for Java. Typically, you’ll create a new variable with the value below:

%JAVA_HOME%/bin

After all the steps above, open the command prompt console, then type the commands below:

java -version
javac -version

You should get similar lines as below:

java version "17.0.1" 2021-10-19 LTS
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 17.0.1+12-LTS-39)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 17.0.1+12-LTS-39, mixed mode, sharing)

That should do it!

Conclusion

• Installing the Java JDK on Windows 11 is straightforward by following the outlined steps.
• The JDK is essential for developing and running Java applications effectively.
• Setting up the JAVA_HOME variable and updating the PATH environment is crucial for smooth operation.
• Verifying the installation through the command prompt ensures that your setup is correct.
• With Java installed, you can start building your Java-based applications on Windows 11.