How to Prevent Java Upgrades

Java updates can be disabled easily.

Java has become one of the most popular programming languages on the Internet and is a favorite of corporate information technology groups. It works well on different operating systems; a Java program written in Windows works on a Mac. This is because the JRE, the Java Runtime Environment, encapsulates Java programs allowing them to work the same everywhere. Java is installed with a facility to automatically check for newer versions of the JRE and automatically download them. However, these newer versions of the JRE can cause issues with older Java programs. In these cases it can be desirable to prevent updates to the JRE. This article assumes you are using Windows 7.

Instructions

1. Open Windows Explorer. Find the directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin.

2. Double-click javacpl.exe. The Java control panel appears.

3. Click the "Update" tab. Uncheck "Check for Updates Automatically."

4. Click the "Advanced" tab. Click the plus sign beside "JRE Auto-Download." Click "Never Auto-Download."

5. Click "Okay."

Tips & Warnings

• Older versions of Windows work much the same as Windows 7. Normally, the update tab is available by clicking Java in the Control Panel, but Windows 7 is a bit different.

• By not checking for updates to Java, you are not only potentially losing new features and possibly preventing newer Java programs from running, but you are also stopping security updates from being downloaded.

References

• ORACLE: Java SE