How to Change Java Home

The JAVA_HOME variable holds the path to your system's Java JDK installation. Java JDK is Sun Microsystem's Java software development kit. Setting the JAVA_HOME variable allows other applications to use the JDK without having to specify where it expects the Java installation to be held. It also allows you to place your Java installation in an unusual place without any program errors. This variable must be set on both Windows and Linux/Unix after installing the Java JDK.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Java JDK

Windows

1. Right-click "My Computer" and select "Properties."

2. Click the "Advanced" tab.

3. Select "Environment Variables."

4. Edit JAVA_HOME to point to where the JDK software is located. For example: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk<version>.

   Replace <version> with the version number of the JDK you are using.

Linux/Unix

1. Open the ~/.bashrc in a text editor. From the command line, the command would be:
   gedit ~/.bashrc.

2. Add the following two lines to the file:

   export JAVA_HOME=/usr/java/jdk<version>/bin/java
   export PATH=$PATH:/usr/java/jdk<version>/bin

   Replace <version> with the version number of the JDK you are using. If you have JDK installed in an alternate location, change both variables to reflect your information.

3. Save your file.

4. Restart your terminal session.

5. Type "echo $JAVA_HOME" to ensure the variable has been set correctly.

References

• Installing the JDK Software and Setting JAVA_HOME