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What is Java Update?


This article applies to:
  • Platform(s):
    Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 (SP4+), Windows XP (SP1 SP2), Windows 2003
  • JRE version(s):
    1.4.2_xx


This page describes the Java Update feature with these sections:
  1. What is Java Update?
  2. What does it do?
    1. Notification of a new update
    2. Download the new update
    3. Install the new update
  3. How to make changes to the settings?
    1. Disable Java Update feature
    2. Manually check for updates
    3. Change the notification option
    4. Change the update schedule



  1. What is Java Update?

    The Java Update is a feature that keeps your computer up-to-date automatically with the latest Java releases. Installing the Java Runtime Environment automatically installs the Java Update feature.

    The Java Update feature connects to java.com at a scheduled time and checks to see if there is an update available.



  1. What does it do?
    1. Notification of a new update
      The Java Update feature connects to Java.com at the scheduled time and checks to see if there is an update available. A tooltip balloon will appear when there is an update available on Java.com.


Ballon: New updates are ready to download
    1. Download the new update
      When the user clicks on the balloon, the Ready to Download - Java Update dialog box appears. You can choose to go ahead with the update or you can install the update at a later time. To start the download, click on the Download button. Click on the Remind Me Later button if you want to download the update at a later time.


Dialog box: Ready to download Java Update
      If you choose to start the download process, a tooltip balloon appears to show the download progress.


Ballon: Download Java Update 4 percent

    1. Install the new update
      A tooltip balloon notifies you when the update is ready for installation. Click on the balloon to start the installation process.


Balloon: New updates are ready to install
      Click on the Install button to install the update or click on the Remind Me Later button to install the update at a later time.


Ready to Install - Java Update
      Once you click on the Install button, a InstallSheild Wizard Preparing to Install dialog box will appear and the installation process begins.


Installation Progress
      When the installation is complete, a dialogue box will appear. Click Finish to complete the installation.


Installation Completed dialog box
  1. How to make changes to the settings?

    Go to the Java Plug-in Control Panel:
    Start > Control Panel > open the Java Plug-in control panel.
    Click on the Update tab.

    Note: The Update tab may not be there if your network administrator has disabled the Java Update feature during installation.


Java Plug-in Control Panel - Update
    1. Disable the Java Update feature.
      To disable the Java Update feature, deselect the Check for Updates Automatically checkbox.
    2. Manually check for updates.
      You can manually check for an update any time by clicking on the Update Now button.
    3. Change the notification option.
      There are two notification options. The default option is Before downloading and before installing. If you choose this option, you will be notified before downloading the update and before installing the update. The other option is Before Installing which allows Java Update to automatically download the update and notify you when the new update is ready for installation. The update will not do the install until you give permission to do so.


Java Plug-in Control Panel - Notification option
    1. Change the update schedule.
      To change the update schedule, click on the Advanced... button.


Java Plug-in Control Panel - Update schedule
      At the Automatic Update Advanced Settings dialog box, you can change the frequency and the time to perform the check for a new update. Click OK when you are finished.


Java Plug-in Control Panel - Automatic Update Advanced Settings

NEED MORE HELP?
If you require further assistance, please make sure you check through our Help and FAQ sections thoroughly. We probably have a page that answers your question.

You may find information on the following topics in the Help section:
Installation Instructions
Configuration
Error Messages
Applet Application




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