Install Java on Windows 10/11 (2025)

Complete beginner guide — no PATH or environment variables required

What you will learn

Check if Java is installed, download and install Java, verify it, and run your first Java program using VS Code.

Video Tutorial: Install Java on Windows 10/11

Watch the complete step-by-step Java installation and first program execution.

Step 0: First Check Java in Terminal (Important)

Before downloading Java, always check if Java is already installed on your system.

  • Press Windows + R
  • Type cmd and press Enter

Run this command:

java -version

✔ Java version shown → Java already installed (skip download)

✖ 'java' is not recognized → Java not installed (continue below)

Step 1: Download Java from Oracle Website

Open your browser and visit the official Oracle Java download page:

https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/
  • Download Java SE (JDK)
  • Select Windows x64 Installer (.exe)

Note: Always download Java only from the official Oracle website.

Step 2: Install Java (No Environment Variables Needed)

  • Double-click the downloaded .exe file
  • Click Next
  • Keep default settings
  • Click Install

✔ No need to set PATH or Environment Variables manually.

Step 3: Verify Java Installation

Open Command Prompt and run:

java -version

Example output:

java version "21.0.1" 2025-xx-xx

If the version appears → Java installed successfully 🎉

Step 4: Use Java in VS Code

Install VS Code:

https://code.visualstudio.com/

Install Java Extension:

  • Open Extensions in VS Code
  • Search: Extension Pack for Java
  • Install it

Step 5: Create Your First Java Program

Create a file named first.java and paste the code below:

public class first {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello Java");
    }
}

Important: File name and class name must be the same.

Step 6: Run Java Program

Open terminal in the file folder and run:

javac first.java
java first

Output:

Hello Java

✔ Java is working perfectly.

Summary (Simple Flow)

  • Check Java → java -version
  • Download Java from Oracle
  • Install using default options
  • Verify Java again
  • Open VS Code
  • Create first.java
  • Run and see output