How to Update Java

Java is one of those things that quietly powers a huge chunk of the software world –
until the day something pops up saying, “Your Java is out of date,” and your app refuses
to run. The good news: updating Java is not as scary as it sounds, whether you’re a
developer managing multiple JDKs or a regular user who just wants that one app to work again.

In this guide, you’ll learn why updating Java matters, how to check which version you’re
running, and step-by-step instructions to update Java on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
We’ll also talk about choosing between Oracle Java and OpenJDK, how to keep things
updated automatically, and some real-world tips from the trenches of “Why won’t this
thing run?!”

Why Bother Updating Java?

If you’re tempted to click “Remind me later” on every Java update notification, here’s
why that’s risky:

• Security fixes: Java is used everywhere, which makes it a popular target for attackers. Updates close known vulnerabilities.
• Compatibility: Newer applications and tools often require a minimum Java version to run properly.
• Performance & features: Long-Term Support (LTS) releases like Java 21 and Java 25 bring performance improvements and new language features that developers actually care about.
• Vendor support: Old versions eventually stop receiving updates, which means no more security patches.

In short: outdated Java can make your system slower, less secure, and incompatible with
modern software. Updating keeps you in the safe, supported, and less-annoyed zone.

Step 1: Check Your Current Java Version

Before you update Java, you need to know what you’re working with. There are two main
ways: the Java Control Panel (for desktop users) and the command line (for power users
and developers).

Check Java Version via Command Line (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Open a terminal or command prompt and run:

You’ll see output similar to:

Or for newer releases:

The important part is the version number (for example, 1.8.0_471,
17, 21, or 25). If the command
doesn’t work, Java may not be installed or your PATH isn’t set up correctly.

Check Java Version via Java Control Panel (Windows & macOS)

If you installed the regular desktop Java (often called the JRE or “Java Runtime”), you
can also check via the Java Control Panel:

1. Open the Java Control Panel (search for “Java” in your Start menu on Windows or in System Settings / System Preferences on macOS).
2. On the General tab, click About….
3. A small window will show the installed Java version.

This is especially useful for non-developers who installed Java just to run one or two
applications.

Step 2: Decide Which Java You Actually Need

Not all Java installs are created equal. Before you mash the “download” button, figure
out which flavor of Java is right for you.

JRE vs JDK

• JRE (Java Runtime Environment): This is what you need to run
  Java applications. Classic desktop Java 8 (“Java 8 Update 471” type installs) is
  typically a JRE.
• JDK (Java Development Kit): This includes the compiler (javac) and tools for building Java apps. If you’re a developer or running developer tools, this is what you want.

These days, many vendors package only the JDK, and the JRE is considered legacy in some
environments. If in doubt and you’re doing any development, go with the JDK.

Oracle Java vs OpenJDK vs Other Distributions

You have several options for where to get Java:

• Oracle JDK/Java SE: Official commercial distribution from Oracle, widely used in enterprises and for official support.
• OpenJDK builds: Open-source builds available from the OpenJDK project and third-party vendors.
• Other vendors: Companies like Azul, BellSoft (Liberica), and Microsoft provide their own OpenJDK builds that are fully compatible.

For personal use and most development scenarios, OpenJDK-based distributions are
perfectly fine and widely used. For enterprise environments, your organization may
require or recommend a specific vendor.

Understanding LTS Versions

Java has regular releases every six months, but not all of them are Long-Term Support
(LTS). LTS versions receive updates for longer and are usually safer choices for
production systems.

As of now, common LTS releases include:

• Java 8: Still widely used, especially for older applications.
• Java 11, 17, 21, and 25: Modern LTS releases, with Java 25 being a recent LTS option from many vendors.

For new projects or major upgrades, picking an LTS version like 17, 21, or 25 is
usually the best approach.

How to Update Java on Windows

On Windows, you might have one or both of the following:

• The desktop Java runtime (usually Java 8), used by certain apps and browsers.
• One or more JDKs (Java 11, 17, 21, 25, etc.) for development or server tools.

Update Desktop Java (JRE) on Windows

If you just need to run a Java-based application and don’t do any coding, you probably
have the Java 8 runtime. To update:

1. Open the Java Control Panel.
2. Go to the Update tab.
3. Click Update Now.
4. Follow the prompts to download and install the latest available update.

Alternatively, you can:

1. Visit the official Java download page for desktop users.
2. Download the latest installer for Windows.
3. Run the .exe file and follow the steps.

After installation, you can verify the update using java -version in
Command Prompt.

Update the Java JDK on Windows

If you’re a developer or running tools like application servers, IDEs, or build
systems, you’ll want the JDK:

1. Go to your chosen vendor’s JDK download page (Oracle, Microsoft, Azul, BellSoft, etc.).
2. Download the installer for your architecture (usually 64-bit).
3. Run the installer and follow the prompts.

To use the new JDK on the command line, you may need to update your environment
variables:

• JAVA_HOME: Set this to the new JDK installation path, for example C:Program FilesJavajdk-25.
• PATH: Make sure %JAVA_HOME%bin appears early in your PATH.

Then, open a fresh Command Prompt and run:

If both commands show the new version, you’re good to go.

How to Update Java on macOS

On macOS, you can install Java via vendor installers (like Oracle’s .dmg
files) or via Homebrew, the popular package manager for developers.

Update Java Using the Vendor Installer (macOS)

1. Visit your Java vendor’s website (for example, Oracle or another JDK provider).
2. Download the latest macOS installer (.dmg file) for your desired Java version.
3. Open the .dmg and run the installer package.
4. Follow the installation steps to complete the update.

Once completed, open Terminal and run:

to confirm the update.

Update Java Using Homebrew (macOS)

If you use Homebrew, updating Java feels more like updating any other dev tool.

1. Open Terminal.
2. Update Homebrew:
3. Check available Java versions:
4. Install or update to your target version, for example:

Depending on the version and how Homebrew installs it, you may also need to link the
JDK so that macOS recognizes it as an installed Java Virtual Machine. The command is
usually shown by Homebrew after install and looks something like:

After that, verify with:

How to Update Java on Linux

On Linux, Java is typically installed and updated through your distribution’s package
manager, or manually via tarballs from a JDK vendor.

Update Java Using the Package Manager

Common examples:

Ubuntu / Debian-based

To switch between installed Java versions, you can use:

Fedora / CentOS / RHEL

Older systems might use yum instead of dnf.

Manual Installation via Tarball

If you prefer manual control or need a specific vendor build:

1. Download the appropriate .tar.gz file from your chosen JDK provider.
2. Extract it into a directory, for example /opt/jdk-25.
3. Update your PATH and JAVA_HOME variables (for example in ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc).

Then run java -version to confirm the new version is active.

Keeping Java Updated Automatically

Once you’ve wrestled Java into the version you want, you probably don’t want to do this
every month. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce the manual work.

• Java Control Panel (Windows/macOS): For Java 8 desktop runtime, you can enable automatic updates so it periodically checks and prompts you to install new versions.
• Package managers: On macOS (Homebrew) and Linux (apt, dnf, etc.), updating Java is as simple as including it in your usual system updates.
• Vendor update channels: Many vendors provide newsletters or RSS feeds announcing new releases and security updates, useful for admins and developers.

For production servers or critical systems, it’s smart to test new Java versions in a
staging environment before rolling them out everywhere. Java updates are usually smooth,
but “usually” is not quite the same as “always.”

Common Java Update Problems and How to Fix Them

1. The Command Line Still Shows the Old Version

This usually means your PATH or JAVA_HOME still points to the older installation.
Double-check:

• On Windows, look at Environment Variables for JAVA_HOME and Path.
• On macOS/Linux, check your shell configuration files (.bashrc, .zshrc, etc.).

Make sure the new JDK’s bin directory appears before older Java paths.

2. Applications Stop Working After an Update

Occasionally, older applications depend on a specific Java version. If something breaks:

• Find out which Java version the app officially supports.
• Install that version alongside your newer JDK (for example, keep Java 8 for the legacy app and Java 21 for everything else).
• Use version-switching tools (like update-alternatives on Linux) or configure app-specific paths.

3. Multiple JDKs and Total Confusion

Developers often end up with several JDK versions. To keep your sanity:

• Document which projects use which Java versions.
• Consider using tools like SDKMAN! (on Unix-like systems) to manage multiple JDKs more easily.
• Clean up old installations you no longer need.

Real-World Experiences: Lessons Learned from Updating Java

Updating Java sounds like a simple “download and install” job, but in the real world,
there are quirks, surprises, and the occasional “why is everything red in my IDE now?”
Here are some practical experiences and tips that often don’t make it into official
documentation.

Experience 1: The “Forgot About JAVA_HOME” Problem

One of the most common headaches is updating Java successfully, only to discover your
tools are still using the old version. Build tools like Maven or Gradle, IDEs like
IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse, and app servers often rely on JAVA_HOME.

After installing a shiny new JDK, remember to:

• Update JAVA_HOME to the new installation directory.
• Restart your IDE and terminals so they pick up the new environment.
• Run java -version and javac -version again just to be sure.

Many “mystery bugs” after an update are simply a mismatch between what you think is
installed and what your tools are actually using.

Experience 2: Legacy Apps That Refuse to Move On

Some business-critical apps are stubbornly glued to Java 8 (or older). In these cases,
the safest approach is not to rip everything out, but to run multiple versions:

• Use Java 8 exclusively for the legacy app (often by configuring its startup scripts or service settings).
• Run newer apps and tools with Java 17, 21, or 25.
• Clearly label directories and shortcuts so you know which is which.

Over time, you can plan a migration, but forcing an app to a newer Java version without
testing is a great way to spend a weekend rolling back changes.

Experience 3: IDEs and Tooling After a Java Upgrade

When you update Java, your IDE might need some love too:

• In IntelliJ IDEA, update the Project SDK and language level under Project Structure.
• In Eclipse, add the new JRE/JDK in Preferences and set it as the default.
• In build tools, update your pom.xml, build.gradle, or other config files to target the new Java version.

The upside? Moving to a modern LTS like Java 21 or 25 often gives you access to newer
language features (like pattern matching and records in recent releases), plus better
performance and security.

Experience 4: Server Environments and Cautious Updates

On servers, Java updates are usually treated like any other critical infrastructure
change:

• Updates are tested in a staging environment first.
• Monitoring is in place to catch performance regressions or memory issues.
• Rollback plans exist in case the new Java version causes unexpected behavior.

A safe pattern is:

1. Install the new Java version alongside the old one.
2. Point one staging instance or non-critical service to the new version.
3. Observe logs, performance, and error reports for a while.
4. Gradually switch more services once you’re confident.

This way, you enjoy security patches and performance improvements without betting
everything on a single restart.

Experience 5: When in Doubt, Choose an LTS

Fast Java release cycles mean there are many versions to choose from, but not all of
them are intended for long-term use. When you’re unsure, picking a recent LTS like Java
17, 21, or 25 simplifies life:

• LTS versions receive updates and security patches for years.
• Tooling and libraries are usually tested and stable on these releases.
• Most vendor distributions highlight these versions, so downloads are easy to find.

In other words, if you don’t have a strong reason to be on a short-lived release, an
LTS is the boring, reliable, “won’t surprise you in six months” choice.

Conclusion

Updating Java doesn’t have to be a yearly ritual of confusion. Once you know how to
check your current version, choose the right distribution and LTS release, and use the
tools on your operating system (Java Control Panel, Homebrew, apt, dnf, vendor
installers), the process becomes straightforward.

Keep Java updated for security, compatibility, and sanity. Whether you’re running a
single desktop app or maintaining a fleet of servers, a well-managed Java setup pays
off in fewer errors, smoother updates, and less time spent wondering why your
application refuses to start.

meta_title: How to Update Java Safely and Easily

meta_description: Learn how to check, install, and update Java on Windows, macOS, and Linux with step-by-step instructions and real-world tips.

sapo:
Updating Java doesn’t have to be confusing or scary. This in-depth guide walks you through
checking your current Java version, choosing the right JDK or runtime, and safely updating
Java on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls, handle
multiple versions, keep your apps compatible, and use real-world best practices so your
Java environment stays secure, stable, and ready for modern applications.

keywords:
how to update java, update java windows, update java mac, update java linux, java version check, update jdk, java lts versions