How to deploy Java 8

We get a lot of questions from customers wondering how to deploy Java 8 to their client computers. Most people just want to add the Java support and get rid of the automatic update feature so that the clients won’t be nagged about new versions available every other week.

This how-to blog post describes an easy way to deploy Java 8 with Specops Deploy.

Visit www.java.com and hit the big red button Free Java Download.

Install Java with Specops Deploy Software

Click See all Java downloads to navigate to the offline installer.

Install Java 2 with Specops Deployment Software

Choose the offline installer that suits you best. It is important to note that because the majority of browsers are 32-bit, or run in 32-bit mode, they will not be able to utilize a 64-bit. Even if you are running a 64-bit operating system, it is best to deploy the 32-bit.

Install Java 3

The reason I hit Run and not Save is because the file is an .exe but I want to really need is the MSI package embedded in the .exe.

The MSI is extracted when you see the first splash screen in the installation. Do not click Install. It is best to perform the installation using the MSI package. This helps so that you don’t need to configure switches to silence the installation.

To find the MSI package, browse to %AppData%\LocalLow\Oracle and you will find the MSI package. Simply copy the file to the deployment share on your file server, DFS or whatever you prefer.

Install Java 6

There are some modifications that should be performed with the Java client in a managed environment. The most important modification is turning off automatic updates. This will prevent your users from receiving messages. It is best/easier to perform this modification in the registry/config files instead of using .mst files or switches in the installer. Here are the steps:

  1. Create a file called deployment.config and save it in the same location as the jre1.8.xxx.msi package. Content of the deployment.config should be:
    deployment.system.config=file\:C\:/Windows/Sun/Java/Deployment/deployment.properties
    deployment.system.config.mandatory=true
  2. Create a file called deployment.properties and save it in the same location as the jre1.8.xxx.msi package. Content of the deployment.properties should be:
    deployment.expiration.decision=NEVER
    deployment.expiration.decision.suppression=TRUE
    deployment.expiration.check.enabled=FALSE
    deployment.javaws.autodownload=NEVER
    deployment.javaws.shortcut=NEVER
    deployment.security.level=MEDIUM
    deployment.system.tray.icon=FALSE
  3. Create file called DisableUpdate.reg and save it in the same location as the jre1.8.xxx.msi package. Content of the DisableUpdate.reg should be:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\JavaSoft\Java Update\Policy]
    "EnableAutoUpdateCheck"=dword:00000000
    "EnableJavaUpdate"=dword:00000000
    "Frequency"=dword:00000000
    "NotifyDownload"=dword:00000000
    "NotifyInstall"=dword:00000000
    "UpdateSchedule"=dword:00000000
  4. Create file called post.cmd and save it in the same location as the jre1.8.xxx.msi package. Content of the post.cmd should be:
    del /Q %WINDIR%\Sun\Java\Deployment\deployment.config
    del /Q %WINDIR%\Sun\Java\Deployment\deployment.properties 
    
    MD %WINDIR%\Sun\Java\Deployment
    
    copy /Y %SpecopsDeployExecuteDir%\deployment.config %WINDIR%\Sun\Java\Deployment\
    copy /Y %SpecopsDeployExecuteDir%\deployment.properties 
    %WINDIR%\Sun\Java\Deployment\
    
    %WINDIR%\regedit.exe /s %SpecopsDeployExecuteDir%\DisableUpdate.reg
    
    Exit
  5. Now you should have 5 files in the installation directory.Java installation directory
  6. Now it is time to create the package in Specops Deploy. Create a new package, under Additional commands, point to the post.cmd under Post installation command.
    Java post installation command

After the MSI is installed Specops Deploy will run the script post.cmd

Happy deployment!

(Last updated on October 30, 2023)

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mikael ingelin

Written by

Mikael Ingelin

Product specialist from Stockholm, Sweden has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years. For the past 10 years he has been working at Specops Software and before this he was responsible for the complete IT infrastructure at one of Sweden’s largest law firms. He has a broad practical and theoretical experience of managing, architecture and deploying complex IT infrastructures. Extensive knowledge of virtualization, Windows Server, Windows security, Active Directory and Group Policy.

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