Subject: How do I update Java?
Date: 11/11/10
Expires: upon upgrade
Author: CTDLC Support
Institution(s): All
Product: Java
Version(s): All
Operating System(s): Windows
Question: How do I update Java?

1. Access the Control Panel in Windows. (Depending on the version of Windows that you are running, you may need to go to Settings> Control Panel.)

2. Click on the icon labeled Add or Remove Programs.  A separate window will then appear with a list of programs installed on your computer.

4. It is best to uninstall any and all versions of Java first, but uninstall the newest version first.  For example, your computer may list something similar to this:

J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 8
J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 7
Java Runtime Environment 1.6.0
Java Web Start

In this example, uninstall the 'Update 8' version first, then the 'Update 7' version second, then the 1.6 version, and lastly Java Web Start.  Click one of them (if multiple) and you will see a 'Remove' or 'Uninstall' button appear.  Remove all instances of Java from your computer.

5. Once your computer finishes uninstalling all instances of Java, restart your computer.  (After each un-installation, your system may ask you to restart, so please do so at that time.)

6. Once your computer has completed the startup process, enter into the drive, which contains the Windows Operating System (this is usually the C: drive found in My Computer).  Enter into the Program Files folder to locate a folder labeled Java; delete this folder and restart your computer. 



Once your computer has started back up, it is time to download the newest version of Java from the following link:
http://www.java.com/en/download/inc/windows_upgrade_xpi.jsp

7. Save the Java setup file download to your hard drive in a convenient location, such as the Desktop.

8. Once the file has finished downloading, locate it and double click to install it.  If you have Windows XP, your system may give you a Run option.  If you click this option, you will not have to find the setup file and double-click on it; this option will do this step automatically.  Most likely, Windows will ask you to verify this Run option.  Once within the Downloading and Installing Java page, you may skip to Step 2 if you have already downloaded the Java Runtime Environment setup file above.

9. Once Java is finished installing, restart your computer once again.

10. Once your computer has completed the startup process, open a web browser (Internet Explorer 7 or 8, or Firefox 3.6), Java should function normally after the above steps are completed, so you may login your course.
Post-installation procedures:
 
At some point in the future, the new version of Java may alert you that there are updates for Java.  By default, the Java application is set to auto-notify the user about new updates.  If you would like to turn this feature off (recommended), return to the Control Panel and click on the Java icon (Windows XP users may need to 'switch to classic view' to see this icon).  After double-clicking on the Java icon, a window will appear.  Click on the 'Update' tab and uncheck 'Check for Updates Automatically.'  A pop-up window may appear asking you to confirm; click the 'Never Check' button then click the 'Ok' button.