Java Environment Setup on Windows – Install the JDK Step by Step

Before you can write and run Java programs, you need to install the Java Development Kit (JDK) and tell Windows where to find it. This guide walks you through every step on Windows 10 and Windows 11: downloading the JDK, installing it, setting the JAVA_HOME and PATH environment variables, verifying the installation, and running your first program.

The whole process takes about 10 minutes. The screenshots show an older JDK installer, but the steps are the same for current versions such as JDK 21 and JDK 25.

1. Choose a JDK

Java is free and open source (OpenJDK), and several vendors publish ready-to-install builds. Any of these works for learning and for production:

Pick the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version, such as JDK 21 or JDK 25, and the x64 MSI installer for Windows (or aarch64 on ARM laptops).

2. Download the Installer

1. Open the download page of your chosen distribution, for example adoptium.net for Temurin.
2. Select Windows, your architecture (x64 for most PCs), package type JDK and the version.
3. Download the .msi installer and save it to your computer.

3. Install the JDK

1. Double-click the downloaded installer. The setup wizard opens.
2. Click Next on the welcome screen.
3. Keep the default folder, usually C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-21 or C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-21…, or choose another one. Remember this path.
4. Temurin and some other installers offer to set JAVA_HOME and add to PATH for you. Enable both options; you can then skip the JAVA_HOME and PATH sections below.
5. Click Install, wait, and then click Close.

4. Set the JAVA_HOME Variable

JAVA_HOME tells tools such as Maven, Gradle and IDEs where the JDK lives.

1. Open File Explorer, go to the JDK folder and copy its path, for example C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-21 (the folder that contains bin).
2. Press Windows, type environment variables, and open Edit the system environment variables.
3. Click Environment Variables….
4. Under System variables, click New….
5. Variable name: JAVA_HOME. Variable value: the JDK path you copied. Click OK.

5. Add Java to the PATH

The PATH variable lets you run java and javac from any folder in the command prompt.

1. In the same System variables list, select Path and click Edit….
2. Click New and enter %JAVA_HOME%\bin.
3. Use Move Up to place it above any other Java entries (for example, an old javapath entry), so this JDK is found first.
4. Click OK in all open windows.

6. Verify the Installation

Open a new Command Prompt (Windows + R, type cmd, press Enter) and run:

java -version
javac -version
echo %JAVA_HOME%

You should see output similar to this (vendor and version numbers will differ):

openjdk version "21.0.7" 2025-04-15 LTS
OpenJDK Runtime Environment Temurin-21.0.7+6 (build 21.0.7+6-LTS)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Temurin-21.0.7+6 (build 21.0.7+6-LTS, mixed mode, sharing)
javac 21.0.7
C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-21

7. Compile and Run Your First Program

1. Create a folder such as C:\java-practice.
2. Create a file named SetupCheck.java with this code (the file name must match the class name):

public class SetupCheck {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Java is installed and working!");
        System.out.println("Running on Java " + Runtime.version().feature());
    }
}

cd C:\java-practice
javac SetupCheck.java     # creates SetupCheck.class
java SetupCheck           # runs the program

java SetupCheck.java      # Java 11+: compile and run in one step

Java is installed and working!
Running on Java 21

The second line shows the feature version of your JDK, so it may print 25 or another number on your computer.

8. Faster Option: Install with winget

Windows 10 (1809+) and Windows 11 include the winget package manager. One command installs a JDK and sets up the paths:

winget search "JDK"
winget install EclipseAdoptium.Temurin.21.JDK

Open a new terminal afterwards and run java -version to confirm.

9. Installing on macOS and Linux

10. Install an IDE (Optional)

You can write Java in any text editor, but an IDE adds auto-completion, error highlighting, debugging and one-click running:

• IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition: the most popular Java IDE, free.
• Eclipse IDE for Java Developers: free and open source.
• Visual Studio Code with the "Extension Pack for Java": lightweight and free.

Most IDEs detect your JDK automatically through JAVA_HOME, and some can download a JDK for you.

11. Troubleshooting Common Problems

12. Summary

• Download a JDK (for example Eclipse Temurin, latest LTS) as an x64 MSI installer.
• Install it and note the folder.
• Set JAVA_HOME to the JDK folder and add %JAVA_HOME%\bin to PATH.
• Open a new terminal and check java -version and javac -version.
• Compile with javac, run with java, or use java File.java for single files.

Related Tutorials

• Introduction to Java
• JDK vs JRE vs JVM
• How to Write a Java Program

Reference: Eclipse Adoptium: Installation on Windows

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)