How to Download JDK in Windows 10?

The Java Development Kit (JDK) is an essential tool for developing Java applications. If you’re new to Java programming or need to set up your development environment on a Windows 10 machine, this guide will walk you through the process of downloading and installing the JDK on your system.

What is JDK?

The Java Development Kit (JDK) is a software development kit that provides tools necessary for developing Java applications, including:

• Java Compiler (javac) for converting Java code into bytecode.
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE) which includes the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), libraries, and other resources to run Java applications.
• Java Debugger (jdb) for debugging Java programs.

System Requirements

Before you download the JDK, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit recommended)
• RAM: At least 4 GB (8 GB recommended for better performance)
• Hard Drive Space: At least 1 GB of free space for installation
• Processor: 2 GHz or higher

Downloading the JDK

To get started, you’ll need to download the latest version of the JDK from the official Oracle website.

1. Go to the Oracle JDK Download Page:
   • Open your web browser and navigate to the official Oracle JDK download page or search for the latest version of the JDK.
2. Select the Version:
   • On the Oracle JDK download page, choose the latest JDK version available (e.g., JDK 17 or JDK 20).
   • Make sure to select the correct version for Windows. You will typically find options for both x64 (64-bit) and x86 (32-bit) versions. Choose the x64 version if your system supports 64-bit architecture (most modern systems do).
3. Accept the License Agreement:
   • Before downloading, you’ll be asked to accept the Oracle Technology Network License Agreement for Oracle JDK. Read through the terms and click Accept License Agreement to proceed.
4. Download the JDK Installer:
   • Click on the .exe file for Windows to start the download. The filename will look something like jdk-XX_windows-x64_bin.exe where “XX” represents the version number.

Installing the JDK on Windows 10

Once the JDK installer is downloaded, follow these steps to install it on your Windows 10 system.

1. Run the Installer:
   • Navigate to your Downloads folder (or wherever the installer was saved).
   • Double-click the .exe file to begin the installation process.
2. Start the Installation:
   • Click Next on the welcome screen of the JDK installation wizard.
   • Select the installation location (default location is usually fine), or choose a custom directory where you want to install the JDK.
   • Click Next to continue.
3. Choose Installation Features:
   • In the next window, you will be prompted to select the features to install. It’s recommended to leave the default selections (including the JDK, JRE, and public JRE).
   • Click Next to continue.
4. Start the Installation:
   • Click Install to begin the installation process. The JDK will be installed on your system in the chosen directory.
5. Complete the Installation:
   • Once the installation is complete, click Close to exit the installer.

Verify JDK Installation

After the installation, you need to verify that the JDK is installed correctly on your Windows 10 machine.

1. Open Command Prompt:
   • Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. Check Java Version:
   • Type the following command to check if Java is correctly installed: java -version
   • You should see output indicating the version of the Java runtime, like: java version "17.0.2" 2021-10-19 LTS Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 17.0.2+8-LTS-174) Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 17.0.2+8-LTS-174, mixed mode)
3. Check JDK Version:
   • To verify that the JDK is installed, type: javac -version
   • You should see output like: javac 17.0.2

If both commands return the correct versions, the JDK is successfully installed on your Windows 10 machine.

Set JAVA_HOME Environment Variable (Optional)

To make Java accessible globally on your system (so you can run Java from any command prompt), you can set the JAVA_HOME environment variable.

1. Open System Properties:
   • Right-click on the Start button and select System.
   • Click on Advanced system settings on the left, then click the Environment Variables button.
2. Set JAVA_HOME:
   • In the System variables section, click New and create a new variable:
     • Variable name: JAVA_HOME
     • Variable value: The path to your JDK installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17).
   • Click OK to save the variable.
3. Update PATH Variable:
   • In the System variables section, find the Path variable and click Edit.
   • Click New and add the path to the bin directory inside your JDK folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17\bin).
   • Click OK to save and close the windows.
4. Test the Environment Variable:
   • Open a new Command Prompt window and type java -version and javac -version again to confirm that the system recognizes Java commands globally.

Conclusion

Now you have successfully downloaded and installed the Java Development Kit (JDK) on your Windows 10 system! You can start developing Java applications by using tools like Eclipse, NetBeans, or IntelliJ IDEA along with the JDK.

Setting up the JAVA_HOME environment variable and updating the Path ensures that you can access Java commands from anywhere on your system. With the JDK installed, you’re all set to dive into Java programming!