How to Setup, Configure JAVA_HOME and JRE_HOME Environment Variables on Windows?

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Crunchify » Java and J2EE Tutorials » How to Setup, Configure JAVA_HOME and JRE_HOME Environment Variables on Windows?

In order to run Java application you need to have first installed Java on your Mac or Windows laptop or desktop.

It’s absolutely required to complete Java setup right way for your production & development applications. If you are a first time Java user then first step is to go to official Oracle website and download JDK.

Below detailed steps will help also if you have below questions:

  • How to fix JAVA_HOME error while starting Tomcat Server?
  • Why i’m getting jre_home is not defined correctly tomcat error?
  • How to set jre_home environment variable?
  • jre_home on windows
  • Difference between java_home vs jre_home
  • How to set jre_home via command line?

In this tutorial we will discuss how to install Java, setup JRE_HOME & JAVA_HOME environment variables on Windows platform only. For Mac and Linux, I’ll publish another tutorial with all detailed steps later.

Let’s get started

Step-1

Configure JAVA_HOME / JRE_HOME Environment Variables

  • Go to official Oracle site and Download JDK binary
  • Click on Java Download
  • Accept License Agreement
  • Download binary next to Windows x64

Step-2

  • Double click on .exe file and it will install JDK and JRE both on your Windows Laptop/Desktop
  • By default it will install JDK and JRE at location: C:\Program Files\Java folder

Step-3

Step-4

  • Click on Advanced Tab
  • Click on Environment Variables... button

Step-5

  • New Pop-up Window will appear
  • Click on New…
  • Enter JAVA_HOME as variable name and C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_121 as Value
  • Enter JRE_HOME as variable name and C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.8.0_121 as Value
  • Click OK button
  • Exit System Properties window

At this time, you are all set.

How to verify?

How to verify if JAVA_HOME and JRE_HOME environment variables setup correctly or not?

  • Just open command prompt
  • Type java -version
  • It will print installed Java details as shown below

That’s it. Let me know if you face any issue installing Java on your laptop. Make sure to update Java version number as per your installation in above steps. Happy coding and happy open sourcing.

What is a difference Between JRE and JDK?

Ideally JRE provides runtime environment for your application. While running your development or production environment, you just need JRE.

On other end, while you are developing Java application, JDK provides more debugging and development functionalities which wont part of JRE.

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