Create Windows Installer for Java Programs

I’m a Java beginner.

I already created a simple GUI application that display will «hello world» label.

But, how can I create an installer from .java or .jar for windows. Let’s say that I have created a useful application and want to share it with my friends to install it in their PC without they need to know what is JRE, or how to download JRE.

9 Answers 9

Deploy the app. from a web site using Java Web Start. Ensure the user has the minimum Java using deployJava.js (linked from the JWS info page).

Open Source Installers Generators in Java

IzPack

IzPack is an installers generator for the Java platform. It produces lightweight installers that can be run on any operating system where a Java virtual machine is available. Depending on the operating system, it can be launched by a double-click or a simple ‘java -jar installer.jar’ on a shell. The most common use is to distribute applications for the Java platform, but you can also use it for other kinds of projects. The main benefit of IzPack is that it provides a clean and unique way of distributing a project to users using different operating systems.

VAInstall

VAInstall is a multi-platform installer written in Java. It is distributed under the GNU GPL License 2. Through a simple config file, it allows the packager to pick files and directories from various places on disk, and not only one root dir like other installers. The packager can completely reorganize the files and dirs on the destination host. He can choose the install mode for the destination host (graphic, xtra, text or ansi).

Packlet

Packlet is a simple installer tool for Java. A packlet is similar to a zip or tgz file: it packages an application into a single compressed file that can be distributed. Packlet files are Java class files that can be executed on any machine with Java 2 Runtime Environment installed. Executing a packlet brings up an installer gui to configure and unpack the application.

Lift Off Java Installer

Lift Off Java Installer is an installer for Java applications. Highlights are self-extracting class files, minimal requirements for the Java installation on the target system, and cross platform installation.

Mini Installer

A simple package to build self installating programs in Java. The process is script driven, the result is a unique JAR file that the user can double click to execute a wizard-like installation process.

JSmooth

JSmooth is a Java Executable Wrapper that makes a standard Windows executable binary (.exe) from a jar file. It makes java deployment much smoother and user-friendly, as it is able to find a Java VM by itself. When no VM is available, it provides feed-back to the users, and can launch the default web browser to an URL that explains how to download a Java VM. Note: NOT COMPLETELY WRITTEN IN JAVA

Launch4J

Windows native executable (.exe) java application wrapper. Offers native splash screen, application icon, search for JRE or use bundled one, feedback on startup failure, passes command line arguments.

AntInstaller

AntInstaller is an installer framework which uses a simple XML file to define the UI, and Apache Ant as a back end. The installers can therefore do anything Ant can, and are compatible with Ant’s extension mechanism. Installers can be packaged as a selfextracting Jar and can run from the command line or a Swing GUI. AntInstall can also be used as a GUI front end for existing Ant builds.

Antigen

Antigen (Ant Installer Generator) is a tool to take an Ant build script, combine it with a GUI and wrap it up as an executable jar file. Its primary purpose is to create powerful graphical installers from Ant scripts.

Java Service Wrapper

The Wrapper makes it possible to install a Java Application as a Windows NT Service. The scripts provided with the Wrapper also make it very easy to install those same Java Applications as daemon processes on UNIX systems. The Wrapper correctly handles user log outs under Windows, service dependencies, and the ability to run services which interact with the desktop.

Windows installer для java

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Microsoft Windows Installation (64-bit)

System Requirements

See supported System Configurations for information about supported platforms, operating systems, desktop managers, and browsers.

The minimum physical RAM is required to run graphically based applications. More RAM is recommended for applets running within a browser using the Java Plugin. Running with less memory may cause disk swapping which has a severe effect on performance. Very large programs may require more RAM for adequate performance.

This installation requires Windows Installer 2.0 to be on your machine. For more details, see the Troubleshooting the Installation section .

For the amount of disk space required, see Windows Disk Space Requirements.

Note — The JDK has two version numbers — external version number (6) and an internal version number (1.6.0).

Note — Trying to install the JDK on a non-supported version of Microsoft Windows or on a machine that doesn’t have a sufficiently up-to-date Service Pack will cause the installer to generate this warning: «We recommend that you do not install this Java platform for the following reasons: This Java platform does not support the operating system or operating-system service pack on this machine.» See the system requirements above for information on supported configurations of Microsoft Windows.

Installation Instructions

In this procedure, you will run the self-installing executable to unpack and install the JDK software bundle. As part of the JDK, this installation includes an option to include the public Java Runtime Environment. (The JDK also contains a private JRE for use only by its tools.)

For issues related to Windows Online Installation and Java Update, see the Windows Online Installation and Java Update FAQ. See this note on Proxy Settings and Authentication.

Troubleshooting — If you have any difficulties, see the Troubleshooting section at the end of this document or submit a bug report for your installation problem.

Note — For any text on this page containing the following notation, you must substitute the appropriate update version number for the notation:

For example, if you were downloading the installer for update 1.6.0_01, the following file name:

1. Check the download file size (Optional)

If you save the self-installing executable to disk without running it from the download page at the web site, notice that its byte size is provided on the download page. Once the download has completed, check that you have downloaded the full, uncorrupted software file.

2. Run the JDK installer

Note — You must have administrative permissions in order to install the JDK on Microsoft Windows.

The file jdk-6u -windows-x64.exe is the JDK installer. If you downloaded it instead of running it directly from the web site, double-click on the installer’s icon. Then follow the instructions the installer provides. The installer may ask you to reboot your computer. When done with the installation, you can delete the download file to recover disk space.

Installed Directory Tree

The JDK has the option of installing public JRE and JavaDB. For more information on JRE installation see the JRE Installation page.

JDK Silent Installation

You can perform a silent JDK installation by using the command-line arguments. The following arguments install JDK silently and provide an option of installing public JRE and JavaDB.

JDK installs public jre and javadb in the silent mode.

Use the command jdk.exe /s

JDK does not install public jre, but installs javadb in the silent mode.

Use the command jdk.exe /s ADDLOCAL=»ToolsFeature,DemosFeature,SourceFeature,JavaDBFeature»

JDK does not install javadb, but installs public jre in the silent mode.

Use the command jdk.exe /s ADDLOCAL=»ToolsFeature,DemosFeature,SourceFeature,PublicjreFeature»

JDK does not install either javadb or public jre in the silent mode.

Use the command jdk.exe /s ADDLOCAL=»ToolsFeature,DemosFeature,SourceFeature»

Install public jre and javadb to the specified directories.

Use the command jdk.exe /s /INSTALLDIRPUBJRE=c:\test\ /INSTALLDIRJAVADB=c:\testdb\

Note — Some of the arguments work only with 6u15 and higher releases.

3. If you want to run Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, or Firefox 1.x with Java Plugin, do this:

• Exit the Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, or Firefox 1.x browser and all of its «objects» (Messenger, Composer . );
• If the Quick Launch feature is enabled, disable it;
• Then restart Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, or Firefox 1.x.

4. Update the PATH variable (Optional)

You can run the JDK without setting the PATH variable, or you can optionally set it as a convenience.

Should I set the PATH variable?

Set the PATH variable if you want to be able to conveniently run the JDK executables ( javac.exe , java.exe , javadoc.exe , etc.) from any directory without having to type the full path of the command. If you don’t set the PATH variable, you need to specify the full path to the executable every time you run it, such as:

C:> «\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_ \bin\javac»

MyClass.java

It’s useful to set the PATH permanently so it will persist after rebooting.

How do I set the PATH permanently?

To set the PATH permanently, add the full path of the jdk1.6.0_ \bin directory to the PATH variable. Typically this full path looks something like C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_ \bin. Set the PATH as follows on Microsoft Windows:

1. Click Start > Control Panel > System on Windows XP or Start > Settings > Control Panel > System on Windows 2000.
2. Click Advanced > Environment Variables.
3. Add the location of bin folder of JDK installation for PATH in User Variables and System Variables. A typical value for PATH is:

Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_ \bin

• PATH environment variable is a series of directories separated by semi-colons (;) and is not case sensitive. Microsoft Windows looks for programs in the PATH directories in order, from left to right.
• You should only have one bin directory for a JDK in the path at a time. Those following the first instance are ignored. If one is already present, update it to jdk1.6.0_ \bin.
• If you are not sure where to add the path, add it to the right end of the PATH in the User Variables.
• The new path takes effect in each new command window you open after setting the PATH variable.

5. Start using the JDK!

Your computer system should now be ready to use the JDK. In this step, you’ll run some simple commands to make sure it is working properly.

If you are new to developing and running programs in the Java programming language, see The Java Tutorial online for some guidance. Note especially the tutorial trails under the heading Trails Covering the Basics.

You can also download the JDK documentation from the JDK download page.

Uninstalling the JDK

If you should ever want to uninstall the JDK, use the «Add/Remove Programs» utility in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel.

Location of VM Library Files (jvm.dll)

If you use the Invocation API to launch an application directly rather than using the Java application launcher, be sure to use the correct paths to invoke the Java HotSpot Client Virtual Machine (VM) or Java HotSpot Server VM, as desired. The path within the JDK to the Java HotSpot Client VM is:

jre/bin/client/jvm.dll (on x86)

The path to the Java HotSpot Server VM is:

jre/bin/server/jvm.dll (on x86)

jre/bin/server/jvm.dll (on IA64)

The corresponding locations in the Java SE Runtime Environment begin with jre1.6.0 instead of jre. The Exact VM and Classic VM are no longer part of the JDK, and existing code that uses the Invocation API to launch an application based on old paths to the Exact or Classic VMs will not work.

Troubleshooting the Installation

Below are some tips for working around problems that are sometimes seen during or following an installation. For more troubleshooting information, see the Java FAQ.

If you see the error message «config.nt. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows Applications. « when you try to launch the installer on Microsoft Windows 2000 then there is a problem with the %SystemRoot%\System32\COMMAND.COM file.

If you see the error message «corrupt cabinet file» then the file you have downloaded is corrupted. Check the file size against the expected file size listed in these instructions. If they don’t match, try downloading the bundle again. A cabinet file contains compressed application, data, resource and DLL files.

If you see the error message «System Error during Decompression» then you might not have enough space on the disk that contains your TEMP directory.

If you see the error message «This program cannot be run in DOS mode.» then do the following:

1. Open the MS-DOS shell or Command Prompt window.
2. Right-click on the title bar.
3. Select Properties.
4. Choose the Program tab.
5. Push the Advanced button.
6. Make sure the item «Prevent MS-DOS-based programs from detecting Windows» is unchecked.
7. Select OK.
8. Select OK again.
9. Exit the MS-DOS shell.
10. Restart your computer.

Private vs. public JRE — Installing the JDK installs a private Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) and optionally a public copy. The private JRE is required to run the tools included with the JDK. It has no registry settings and is contained entirely in a jre directory (typically at C:\Program Files\jdk1.6.0\jre ) whose location is known only to the JDK. On the other hand, the public JRE can be used by other Java applications, is contained outside the JDK (typically at C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0 ), is registered with the Windows registry (at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft), can be removed using Add/Remove Programs, might or might not be registered with browsers, and might or might not have java.exe copied to the Windows system directory (making it the default system Java platform or not).

Creating source files in Notepad — In Microsoft Windows, when you create a new file in Microsoft Notepad and then save it for the first time, Notepad normally adds the .txt extension to the filename. Therefore, a file you name Test.java is saved as Test.java.txt . It’s important to note that you cannot see the .txt extension unless you turn on the viewing of file extensions (in Microsoft Windows Explorer, uncheck «Hide file extensions for known file types» under Folder Options). To prevent the .txt extension, enclose the filename in quotation marks, such as «Test.java» , when typing it into the Save As dialog box.

On the other hand, Microsoft WordPad does not add a file extension if you provide one — you must save the file as «Text Document».

Choosing an installation path containing characters that are not part of the system code page — On Windows 2000, XP, and 2003, it is possible to name directories using characters that are not part of the system locale’s code page. If such a directory is part of the installation path, then generic error 1722 occurs, and installation is not completed. Error 1722 is an Install Shield error code. It indicates that the installation process has failed. The exact reason for this error is not known at this time.

To prevent this problem, make sure that the user and system locales are identical, and that the installation path only contains characters that are part of the system locale’s code page. User and system locales can be set in the Regional Options or Regional Settings control panel.