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

Now minimize all windows and you will see Desktop icon (check this screenshot)
Right click on it
Click on Properties
Click on Advanced System Settings link as you in above diagram

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.