Java JRE latest version: Download & Install [32-bit, 64-bit]

The latest Java JRE is Java 8 Update 503 (8u503), released by Oracle on August 18, 2026, and you download it from the java.com manual download page in 32-bit or 64-bit.

This guide covers when you need the JRE or a full JDK, how to pick 32-bit or 64-bit, installing on Windows, macOS and Linux, checking the version, removing old copies, and fixing common errors.

The fastest way to download the latest Java JRE

This gets a Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC onto the current Java 8 JRE in a few minutes. You need an account with administrator rights.

1. Open the java.com manual download page in your browser.
2. Under Windows, select Windows Offline (64-bit). On Windows 11 this is the right choice unless an app specifically demands 32-bit Java.
3. Double-click the downloaded file and select Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
4. Select Install in the Java Setup welcome window to accept the license and start the install.
5. Select Close when the installer reports that Java was installed.
6. Open Command Prompt, type java -version and press Enter. The first line should show 1.8.0_503.

Review the Oracle Technology Network license terms linked on that page before you download. Oracle changed the Java license for releases from April 16, 2019.

What is the latest Java JRE version?

java.com lists Version 8 Update 503, released August 18, 2026, as its current download. That page only offers Java 8, which is the release line still shipped as a standalone JRE for end users.

Newer Java lines ship as the JDK. Oracle's own documentation lists JDK 27 as the newest release, made available on September 15, 2026.

Java line	Latest Oracle release (Aug 2026 security update)	Where it comes from	Who it is for
Java 8 JRE	8u503	java.com	Running desktop apps built for Java 8
JDK 27	27 (released September 15, 2026)	oracle.com Java downloads	Developers who want the newest features
JDK 26	26.0.2.1	oracle.com Java downloads	Short-lived feature release, now superseded by 27
JDK 25	25.0.4.1	oracle.com Java downloads	Current long-term support line
JDK 21	21.0.12.1	oracle.com Java downloads	Previous long-term support line
JDK 17 and JDK 11	17.0.20.1 and 11.0.32.1	oracle.com Java downloads	Apps certified on those older lines

Oracle ships security updates quarterly. The Java 8 release notes state that 8u503 should not be used after the next critical patch update, scheduled for October 20, 2026.

JRE vs JDK: what should you install?

The JRE is the runtime part of Java: the Java Virtual Machine, the core classes and the supporting libraries. It runs Java programs but has no development tools.

The JDK contains those development tools and also runs Java programs, so a JDK can replace a JRE.

	JRE (Java 8)	JDK (8, 11, 17, 21, 25, 27)
Runs Java apps	Yes	Yes
Compiles code (javac)	No	Yes
Official source	java.com	oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads
Windows builds	32-bit and 64-bit	64-bit (x64) only for current releases
Install it when	A desktop app says it needs Java 8, or asks you to get Java from java.com	You write code, or an app asks for Java 11 or newer

java.com says its download serves people who still need Java for desktop applications built for Java 8. It points developers to dev.java instead.

32-bit vs 64-bit Java: which one do you need?

Match Java to the program that uses it, not only to Windows. A 32-bit program or browser needs 32-bit Java; a 64-bit one needs 64-bit Java.

To check Windows, select Start > Settings > System > About and read System type under Device specifications. Windows 11 has no 32-bit version, so every Windows 11 PC is 64-bit.

Your situation	Install this	Why
Windows 11, any modern app	Windows Offline (64-bit)	Windows 11 is 64-bit only
Windows 10 64-bit, 64-bit app	Windows Offline (64-bit)	The app loads the runtime of its own bitness
Windows 10 32-bit	Windows Offline or Windows Online (32-bit)	A 32-bit Windows cannot run 64-bit Java
A 32-bit app on 64-bit Windows	32-bit Java, plus 64-bit Java if other apps need it	java.com supports installing both side by side
You need JDK 21, 25 or 27 on Windows	The x64 installer from oracle.com	Oracle ships current JDKs for 64-bit Windows only
Apple silicon Mac	macOS ARM64 (macOS 12 and above)	Native build for M-series chips
Intel Mac	macOS x64	Native build for Intel chips

java.com states that if you use 32-bit and 64-bit browsers interchangeably, you need both 32-bit and 64-bit Java.

Which Java version should you choose?

Install the version the software vendor names. An app built for Java 8 may refuse to start on a newer JDK even though the newer JDK is installed.

What the app or task says	Choose	Where
"Requires Java" or "Get Java from java.com"	Java 8 JRE, 8u503	java.com manual download page
"Requires Java 8"	Java 8 JRE, or JDK 8 if you also compile code	java.com, or oracle.com for JDK 8
"Requires Java 17 or newer"	JDK 25 (long-term support)	oracle.com Java downloads
Learning Java or starting a new project	JDK 25, or JDK 27 for the newest language features	oracle.com Java downloads
Production use without an Oracle subscription	An Oracle JDK still under the No-Fee Terms, or OpenJDK	oracle.com or jdk.java.net

Should you use Oracle Java or OpenJDK?

Both are built from the same Java source. The difference that matters to most readers is the license, as Oracle states it on its documentation site.

Build	License Oracle applies	What that permits at no cost
Oracle Java 8 JRE and JDK 8 (java.com)	Oracle Technology Network (OTN) License	Personal use, development, testing, prototyping, demonstrating and other limited uses. Other commercial use needs a Java SE Subscription
Oracle JDK 11	OTN License	Same limited no-cost uses as Java 8
Oracle JDK 17 and later LTS lines	Oracle No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC) for the first 3 years, OTN after that	All users, including commercial and production use, while under NFTC
Oracle JDK non-LTS lines (26, 27)	NFTC for their whole six-month support life	All users, including commercial and production use
OpenJDK from jdk.java.net	GPL open source license	Free use; Oracle publishes these builds for the latest release

At home, the Oracle Java 8 JRE from java.com is free for personal use. In a business, check the license with whoever manages software there before you roll out Java 8 or JDK 11.

Safe places to download Java JRE or JDK

Download Java only from Oracle's own sites. Third-party mirrors and download portals repackage installers and can bundle adware or worse.

Site	What it offers	Use it for
java.com manual download page	Java 8 JRE for Windows, macOS, Linux and Solaris	Running Java 8 desktop apps
oracle.com Java downloads	Oracle JDK 27, 25, 21 and older lines	Developers and apps that need Java 11 or newer
jdk.java.net	OpenJDK builds under the GPL	An open source JDK from Oracle
dev.java	Oracle's developer portal	Learning Java and finding the right JDK
Java uninstall tool	Removes old Java versions on Windows	Clean-up before or after an install

If you already ran a Java installer from an unofficial site, scan the PC with Microsoft Safety Scanner and then install again from java.com.

Download Java for Windows 64-bit

Use this for Windows 11 and for 64-bit Windows 10. The offline installer carries everything and does not need a connection during setup.

1. Open the java.com manual download page.
2. Confirm the page header shows Version 8 Update 503.
3. Under Windows, select Windows Offline (64-bit).
4. Save the file to your Downloads folder.
5. Continue with the install steps in the Windows install section below.

Download Java for Windows 32-bit

Use this for 32-bit Windows 10, or for a 32-bit app or browser on 64-bit Windows. On java.com, the Windows entries without "(64-bit)" are the 32-bit builds.

1. Open the java.com manual download page.
2. Under Windows, select Windows Offline for a full 32-bit installer.
3. Or select Windows Online for a small 32-bit installer that downloads the rest during setup.
4. Save the file, then follow the Windows install steps below.
5. If other programs need 64-bit Java, also install Windows Offline (64-bit). The two can sit side by side.

How to install Java on Windows

The Java 8 installer needs administrator access. From 8u20 onward it can also find and remove older Java versions during setup.

1. Close any browser or app that uses Java.
2. Double-click the installer you downloaded from java.com.
3. Select Yes when User Account Control asks to allow changes to your device.
4. In the Java Setup – Welcome window, select Install to accept the license terms.
5. If the installer offers to remove out-of-date versions, accept it.
6. Wait while the Java Setup – Progress window runs, then select Close.
7. Restart your browser or app so it picks up the new runtime.

For JDK 27 or JDK 25, run the x64 .exe installer from oracle.com and follow its prompts. It installs to C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-27 (or jdk-25) by default, and places java.exe, javaw.exe, javac.exe and jshell.exe in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath.

An .msi package is also offered for managed installs. Run it with msiexec.exe /i followed by the file name.

How to download and install Java on macOS

java.com offers macOS x64 for Intel Macs (macOS 10.7.3 and above) and macOS ARM64 for Apple silicon Macs (macOS 12 and above). Check your chip under Apple menu > About This Mac.

1. Open the java.com manual download page and select macOS x64 or macOS ARM64.
2. Double-click the downloaded .dmg file to open it.
3. Double-click the installer icon inside the disk image.
4. Select Open if macOS warns that the app was downloaded from the internet.
5. Select Install on the welcome screen.
6. Enter your Mac password when asked and continue.
7. Select Close when the installation finishes.

For a JDK on macOS, download the .dmg for your chip from oracle.com, open it, double-click the JDK 27.pkg icon, then select Continue and Install. The JDK lands in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-27.jdk.

How to download and install Java on Linux

java.com offers the Java 8 JRE for Linux as .tar.gz archives and .rpm packages. Oracle's JDK 27 adds a .deb for Debian and Ubuntu; all current JDK packages are 64-bit (x64 or AArch64).

1. Download Linux x64 (archive) or Linux x64 RPM from the java.com manual download page.
2. For the archive, change to the folder you want Java in, for example cd /usr/java/, and move the file there.
3. Extract it with tar zxvf followed by the downloaded file name, then delete the archive to save space.
4. For a JDK on Fedora, Red Hat or Oracle Linux, run sudo rpm -ivh jdk-27_linux-x64_bin.rpm.
5. For a JDK on Debian or Ubuntu, run sudo dpkg -i jdk-27_linux-x64_bin.deb.
6. For Arch Linux or any other distribution, extract the JDK .tar.gz with tar zxvf into a folder you choose.

The .rpm and .deb JDK packages install to /usr/lib/jvm/jdk-27-oracle-x64. System-wide installs need root; without it, extract the archive into your home directory.

How to verify that Java is installed

The command line is the fastest proof on every system, and it also tells you whether the runtime is 64-bit.

1. On Windows, open Command Prompt; on macOS or Linux, open Terminal.
2. Type java -version and press Enter.
3. Read the first line. Java 8 prints a version such as java version "1.8.0_503"; a JDK prints its release number, such as java version "27".
4. Read the last line. A 64-bit runtime says 64-Bit Server VM. If that label is missing, the runtime in use is not the 64-bit build.
5. On Windows, you can also select Start, open the Java folder and select About Java to see the installed Java 8 version.

If the version shown is older than the one you installed, another Java copy comes first in your PATH. See the troubleshooting section below.

How to set JAVA_HOME on Windows

Build tools and many server apps read JAVA_HOME to find Java. Point it at the JDK folder, not at the bin folder inside it.

1. Open File Explorer, right-click This PC and select Properties.
2. On the System > About page, select Advanced system settings.
3. In System Properties, select Environment Variables.
4. Under System variables, select New (or select JAVA_HOME and Edit if it exists).
5. Enter JAVA_HOME as the Variable name and the JDK folder as the Variable value, for example C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-27.
6. Select OK in each window, then open a new Command Prompt so it reads the new value.
7. Type echo %JAVA_HOME% and press Enter to confirm the path.

How to update Java

The Java 8 JRE has its own updater. Current JDKs do not; you install the newer JDK release over or beside the old one.

1. On Windows, select Start, open the Java folder and select Configure Java to open the Java Control Panel.
2. Go to the Update tab.
3. Select Update Now and follow the installer prompts.
4. Keep Check for Updates Automatically ticked; select Advanced to change the schedule from the weekly default.
5. On a Mac, open the Java icon in System Preferences, go to the Update tab, select Update Now, then Install Update and Install and Relaunch.
6. For a JDK, download the newer release from oracle.com and install it. On Linux RPM systems, sudo rpm -Uvh upgrades in place.

How to uninstall old Java versions

java.com warns that keeping old versions of Java on your system is a serious security risk. Remove any version you no longer need.

1. On Windows 11, select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Type Java in the search box to list every Java runtime and JDK.
3. Next to an old version, select More (the three dots) > Uninstall, and confirm.
4. On Windows 10, or from any version, you can use Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, right-click the entry and select Uninstall.
5. Or run the Java uninstall tool from java.com, which removes old versions on Windows and needs administrator rights.
6. On a Mac, remove the Java 8 JRE in Terminal with sudo rm -fr /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin, sudo rm -fr /Library/PreferencePanes/JavaControlPanel.prefPane and sudo rm -fr ~/Library/Application\ Support/Oracle/Java.
7. Remove a Mac JDK with sudo rm -rf /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-27.jdk, changing the folder name to match the version.

Keep any version an app still names as a requirement. Removing the only Java 8 copy will stop apps built for Java 8.

Common Java installation problems and fixes

"java is not recognized as an internal or external command"

Windows cannot find java.exe because its folder is not in the PATH variable.

1. Open Advanced system settings > Environment Variables.
2. Under System variables, select Path and then Edit.
3. Add the Java bin folder, for example C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-27\bin, and select OK.
4. Close and reopen Command Prompt, then run java -version again.

An app says it needs Java 8 even after installing Java 25

The app was built for Java 8 and looks for that runtime, not any Java.

1. Install the Java 8 JRE from the java.com manual download page alongside the newer JDK.
2. Match its bitness to the app: 32-bit app, 32-bit Java.
3. If the app uses JAVA_HOME, point it at the Java 8 folder.
4. Restart the app.

java -version shows an older version than the one just installed

An older Java folder appears earlier in PATH, or the old version is still installed.

1. Uninstall versions you no longer need from Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Open the Path entry under Environment Variables and move the new Java bin folder above older Java entries.
3. Open a new Command Prompt and run java -version.

A Java applet will not run in the browser

Modern browsers no longer load the Java plug-in; java.com notes Chrome disabled plug-in support from version 42.

1. Ask the site owner whether a desktop version of the app exists.
2. Install the Java 8 JRE that matches that app's bitness.
3. Launch the app outside the browser.

The JDK installer from oracle.com will not run on 32-bit Windows

Current Oracle JDKs are built only for 64-bit Windows.

1. Confirm System type under Settings > System > About.
2. On 32-bit Windows, install the 32-bit Java 8 JRE from java.com instead.
3. If you need a newer Java, the PC needs 64-bit Windows.

Java JRE download FAQ

What is the latest JRE version?

The latest Java JRE is Java 8 Update 503 (8u503), released August 18, 2026 on java.com. Oracle plans the next Java 8 security update for October 20, 2026. Newer Java releases, up to JDK 27, ship as a JDK rather than a separate JRE.

What is the newest version of Java overall?

JDK 27 is the newest Java release, made available by Oracle on September 15, 2026. JDK 25 is the current long-term support line. Both come from Oracle's Java downloads page, not from java.com, which only offers the Java 8 JRE.

What is my JRE version?

Open Command Prompt or Terminal and run java -version. The first line shows the version, such as 1.8.0_503 for Java 8 Update 503. On Windows you can also select Start, open the Java folder and select About Java.

How to get the JRE version from the command line?

Run java -version in Command Prompt, PowerShell or Terminal. The output shows the version on the first line and the virtual machine type on the last line, including "64-Bit" when the runtime is the 64-bit build. If the command is not recognized, Java is missing from PATH.

Can you install both 32-bit and 64-bit Java?

Yes. java.com says that if you use 32-bit and 64-bit browsers or programs interchangeably, you need both 32-bit and 64-bit Java. Install Windows Offline and Windows Offline (64-bit) from the java.com manual download page; each program uses the build that matches it.

Why is the standalone JRE harder to find now?

java.com only offers the Java 8 JRE, aimed at people running desktop apps built for Java 8. Oracle's installation guides for current releases such as JDK 27 cover the JDK, which includes everything needed to run Java programs.

Is the Oracle Java JRE free?

Oracle's Java 8 JRE is free for personal use and development under the Oracle Technology Network License. Other commercial use needs a Java SE Subscription. Oracle JDK 17 and later are free for all users, including production, while under Oracle's No-Fee Terms and Conditions.

Does Windows 11 need 32-bit or 64-bit Java?

Windows 11 is 64-bit only, so install Windows Offline (64-bit) from java.com in most cases. Add the 32-bit Java 8 JRE only when a specific 32-bit program asks for it; both builds can be installed at the same time.

Should I keep older Java JRE versions?

No, unless an app requires a specific one. java.com calls old Java versions a serious security risk, and each Java 8 release is not recommended after the next critical patch update. Remove them from Installed apps or with the Java uninstall tool.