Java Runtime Environment

[Gloria E]

I just found version 1.6.0.21 64-bit. Should all previous versions be removed before installing the update? My OS is Windows 7 Home 64-bit.

Also, how can Java be set to automatically notify me of updates?


Gloria E

[HansV]

If you install this version, the previous version will be removed automatically, there's no need to uninstall it first.

By default, Java will check for "critical" updates from time to time - see http://www.java.com/autoupdate" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

However, version 1.6.0.21 is not considered to be a "critical" update if you already have 1.6.0.20, so you won't be notified of it.

[Gloria E]

If you install this version, the previous version will be removed automatically, there's no need to uninstall it first.

By default, Java will check for "critical" updates from time to time - see http://www.java.com/autoupdate" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

However, version 1.6.0.21 is not considered to be a "critical" update if you already have 1.6.0.20, so you won't be notified of it.

Thank you, but there's a problem. I don't have the update tab in Java via control panel. How can I get Java that will have the tab? The tabs I have are: General > Java > Security > Advanced.

[HansV]

Don't ask me why, but the Update tab is only available if you do NOT have the 64-bit version of Java. If you have the 64-bit version (or both the 32-bit AND 64-bit versions), the Update tab is not displayed.
You can still run the 32-bit version of the control panel if you have both 32-bit AND 64-bit Java by going to C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin and opening javacpl.exe.

[JoeP]

Don't forget that is you have a 64-bit Windows OS and you choose to install Java you should install both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions. It is highly likely that almost all the programs you run that reference Java are still 32-bit.

Joe

[Gloria E]

Don't ask me why, but the Update tab is only available if you do NOT have the 64-bit version of Java. If you have the 64-bit version (or both the 32-bit AND 64-bit versions), the Update tab is not displayed.
You can still run the 32-bit version of the control panel if you have both 32-bit AND 64-bit Java by going to C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin and opening javacpl.exe.

I solved that little problem by removing the 64-bit version of Java. I now have the update tab, thanks for calling it to my attention. If a program needs the 64-bit version (which I doubt), I will get it again, until then it's no longer on my computer. I did have both versions, the 32-bit version is in control panel all alone.

[John Gray]

Would I be correct in my theory that fewer and fewer PC programs actually require the Java Runtime Environment, with most systems having moved over to Flash? (Yes, I know they don't perform quite the same function...)

[HansV]

Yes, the Java icon seldomly appears in the notification area (system tray) on my PC, mostly on sites that provide charts generated on-the-fly, since there are some popular Java applets for that purpose. If you often visit websites about mathematics and physics, you'll see the icon more frequently.

[PaulB]

Would I be correct in my theory that fewer and fewer PC programs actually require the Java Runtime Environment, with most systems having moved over to Flash? (Yes, I know they don't perform quite the same function...)

You may be right but one site I use quite frequently, Secunia Online Software Inspector, requires Java. I think the future of Flash is somewhat uncertain also, as the Apple/Adobe/HTML5 squabble demonstrates.