Which version of Java should I download for my Windows 64-bit operating system?

Help Resources

Search Java Help

Printable Version

Which version of Java should I download for my 64-bit Windows operating system?

This article applies to:

Platform(s): Windows XP , Vista , Windows 2003 , Windows 2008 Server
Java version(s): 6.0 , 6u10+
Browser(s): Internet Explorer 7.x

If you are using:

32-bit Internet Explorer (IE), you need to download 32-bit Java (Verify browser)
64-bit IE, you need to download 64-bit Java (Verify browser)
Both 32-bit and 64-bit IE, you need to download both 32-bit and 64-bit Java respectively

Windows 64-bit operating system comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit Internet Explorer (IE) browsers. 32-bit IE comes as a default. There are different versions of Java software available for download depending on whether you are using 32-bit or 64-bit IE browsers.

Java for 32-bit Internet Explorer
Users should download 32-bit Java software, if they are using 32-bit IE. For downloading and installing 32-bit Java on your system

Go to Java.com.
Click on the Free Java Download button, and start the installation process

For instructions on installing Java on your system please visit
32-bit installation instructions

Java for 64-bit Internet Explorer
Users should download 64-bit Java software, if they are running 64-bit IE. For downloading 64-bit Java click 64-bit manual download
Follow these instructions for installing 64-bit Java on your system.

Click Windows XP/Vista/2003/2008 (64-bit). The File Download dialog box appears.
Choose the folder location. (Save the file to a known location on your computer, for example, to your desktop) and Click Save.
Close all applications including the browser.
Double-click on the saved file icon to start the installation process

Java for both 32-bit and 64-bit IE browsers.
If you use both 32-bit and 64-bit browser interchangeably, you need a Java Plug-in for each browser. Hence you will need to install both 32-bit and 64-bit Java respectively.

Verify if you are using 32-bit or 64-bit IE browser.
Follow these steps to verify whether you are using 32-bit or 64-bit browser.

Launch Internet Explorer browser.
Click on the Help tab at the top.
Select About Internet Explorer which will bring up an information window.
If version of IE displays 64-bit Edition, then it is 64-bit IE, otherwise it is 32-bit browser.