Install OpenJDK 8 on Windows: A Comprehensive Guide for Red Hat, AdoptOpenJDK, and Oracle OpenJDK

A quick guide to downloading and installing OpenJDK 8 on Windows. - OpenJDK Community Version

What is OpenJDK

OpenJDK is the short form of Open Java Development Kit similar to Oracle's Java Development Kit used to develop Java Applications. The main difference between Oracle JDK and OpenJDK is that OpenJDK is free for all while Oracle Java Development Kit or Oracle JDK requires a commercial license. For more details refer openjdk vs oracle jdk

If you want to know more about OpenJDK, you can go through Open Java Development Kit Quick guide.

Note: To uninstall previously installed OpenJDK please refer Uninstall OpenJDK Windows

Features of OpenJDK 8:

OpenJDK 8 offers a wide range of features that make it an excellent choice for Java developers. Some of the key features include:

1. JavaFX: OpenJDK 8 includes JavaFX, a rich-client application development platform that enables developers to create immersive user interfaces.

2. Lambda Expressions: OpenJDK 8 provides support for Lambda expressions, which simplifies the development of functional programming in Java.

3. Nashorn JavaScript Engine: OpenJDK 8 features Nashorn, a high-performance JavaScript engine that enables developers to integrate JavaScript into Java applications.

4. Javadoc Enhancements: OpenJDK 8 includes several enhancements to the Javadoc tool, making it easier for developers to create and maintain Java documentation.

5. Stream API: The Stream API is a new set of classes and interfaces that make it easier to work with collections in Java. The Stream API provides a fluent, declarative way to manipulate collections, making code more concise and expressive.

6. Default methods: Default methods allow developers to add new methods to an interface without breaking existing implementations. Default methods are a powerful tool for evolving APIs over time.

7. Date and time API: The new Date and Time API provides a more comprehensive and flexible way to work with dates and times in Java. The API is designed to be easy to use, and it provides support for time zones, calendars, and formatting.

8. Optional class: The Optional class is a new class that makes it easier to handle null values in Java. The Optional class provides a way to represent the absence of a value, making code more robust and less error-prone.

OpenJDK 8 Bug Fixes:

Since its initial release, OpenJDK 8 has received numerous bug fixes and updates to improve its stability and performance. Some of the most significant bug fixes include:

Improved memory management.
Enhanced performance for multithreaded applications.
Improved security features.
Better garbage collection algorithms.

Benefits of OpenJDK 8:

OpenJDK 8 offers several benefits to Java developers, including:

1. Open-source: OpenJDK 8 is open-source software, which means it is free to use and distribute.

2. Platform independence: OpenJDK 8 provides a platform-independent environment, which means Java applications developed using OpenJDK 8 can run on different operating systems.

3. Security: OpenJDK 8 includes several security features, such as enhanced cryptography and sandboxing, which helps developers create secure Java applications.

4. Community-driven: OpenJDK 8 is developed and maintained by a large community of Java developers, which ensures that the platform is always up-to-date with the latest Java standards.

Where to Download OpenJDK ?

There are many OpenJDK vendors out there in the market ( here is the OpenJDK Vendors List ), you can download OpenJDK from AdoptOpenJDK, Redhat OpenJDK, Zulu OpenJDK, or from Community OpenJDK.

Below are the steps to download and install Community OpenJDK. If you would like to install OpenJDK from other vendors please refer :

1. Download and install Community OpenJDK

Unlike Oracle JDK or AdoptOpenJDK, community openjdk 8 doesn't provide any executables (windows .exe files ) for easy installation. This might make the openjdk 8 installation on Windows a bit difficult for newbies. To install windows openjdk 8, all you have to do is, Download the latest openjdk 8 zip/tar file and unzip it to a convenient directory on you windows machine. Set the path to the downloaded openjdk 8 bin directory in the Path Variable.

Step #1 Dowload OpenJDK

Here is the step-by-step procedure to download and install the latest openjdk 8 on Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7.

Go to https://jdk.java.net/

Click on Reference Implementation - OpenJDK 8.

Download the zip/tar distributions based on your operating system

Build 10 (2019/7/16):

Linux/x64 tar.gz (sha256)
macOS/x64 tar.gz (sha256)
Windows/x64 zip (sha256)

Step #2: Install

Extract the downloaded zip/tar file to your convenient directory.

Example on windows: C:\Avinash\aws\tools\jdk_ri-8u40-b25-windows-i586-10_feb_2015\java-se-8u40-ri\bin

Step #3: Configure

Based on your operating system, set the openjdk 8 bin path in the environment path

On windows follow the below steps to set the openjdk 8 classpath

Edit the windows system environment variable

Edit the windows system environment PATH variable

Once the OpenJDK 8 Download and installation are complete, we can verify the installed OpenJDK 8 version using Command Prompt.

Click on Windows Search Button and type cmd and then click on the command prompt shortcut.
Go to the command prompt and type java -version
The above command prints the OpenJDK 8 version you installed.


			Java -version

Verify the installed openjdk 8 version on windows

Note: Java has continually evolved, and while many developers still use Java 8, it's crucial to stay updated with the latest Java versions. For those needing newer versions, Please have a look at the below articles.

OpenJDK Known Issues

Note: Here is the list of OpenJDK known-issues OpenJDK Known Issues

Redhat OpenJDK installation, Click here to read more.

Install RedHat openjdk 8 on Windows 10

AdoptOpenJDK installation, Click here to read more.

Install AdoptOpenjdk 8 on Windows 10

Here is a quick video tutorial that demonstrates how to Download and Install OpenJDK 8 on Windows 10.

2. How to Download and Install Red Hat OpenJDK 8 on Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide

Unlike community OpenJDK, Red Hat provides OpenJDK build in the executable as well as a zipped format for easy installation on windows. To install Red Hat openjdk 8 on windows, all you have to do is, Download the latest version of Red Hat openjdk 8 MSI/ZIP file ( example jdk-8u232-x64 ZIP or jdk-8u232-x64 MSI) from Red hat official site. If you have downloaded openjdk 8 MSI, go ahead and install the MSI like any other windows installation and if you have downloaded the ZIP version, unzip the openjdk 8 to a convenient directory on your windows machine. Set the path to downloaded openjdk 8's bin directory in the Path Variable.

Here is the step-by-step procedure to install the latest Red Hat openjdk 8 on Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7.

Go to Red Had openjdk 8 Download page.https://developers.redhat.com/products/openjdk/download

Click on the required version of Red Hat openjdk 8

Download the ZIP windows distributions

Download Red Hat openjdk 8 to any directory on windows

Extract the downloaded zip file to your convenient directory.
Example on windows: C:\Avi\tools\

Now copy the Red Hat openjdk 8 bin path C:\Avi\tools\java-1.8.0-openjdk-1.8.0.232-3.b09.redhat.windows.x86_64\bin and set the Red Hat openjdk 8 bin path in the environment path

On windows follow the below steps to set the Red Hat openjdk 8 classpath

C:\Avi\tools\java-1.8.0-openjdk-1.8.0.232-3.b09.redhat.windows.x86_64\bin


			Java -version

Verify the installed Red Hat openjdk 8 version on windows

Install Redhat openjdk 8 on Windows

3. How to Download and Install AdoptOpenJDK 8 on Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide

AdoptOpenJDK provides an open and reproducible build and test system for OpenJDK source across multiple platforms. AdoptOpenJDK provides OpenJDK binaries for the Java ecosystem.

Note: To uninstall previously installed AdoptOpenJDK please refer Uninstall AdoptOpenJDK Windows

Here is the step by step procedure to install the latest AdoptOpenJDK on Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7.

Go to AdoptOpenJDK Download page.https://adoptopenjdk.net/installation.html#installers

Click on the AdoptOpenJDK installer packages based on your Operating system.

Windows MSI installer packages
macOS PKG installer packages
Linux RPM and DEB installer packages

Download the ZIP windows distributions

Download AdoptOpenJDK to any directory on windows

Extract the downloaded zip file to your convenient directory.
Example on windows: C:\Avi\tools\

Now copy the AdoptOpenJDK bin path C:\Avi\tools\OpenJDK8U-jdk_x86-32_windows_hotspot_8u242b08.zip\bin and set the AdoptOpenJDK bin path in the environment path

On windows follow the below steps to set the openjdk 8 classpath

C:\Avi\tools\OpenJDK8U-jdk_x86-32_windows_hotspot_8u242b08.zip\bin


			Java -version

Verify the installed AdoptOpenJDK version on windows

Install AdoptOpenJDK on Windows 2000 Install AdoptOpenJDK on Windows Vista