There are several ways to download and install Java. None of them require you to first uninstall your existing program, since the installer removes previous versions automatically.
I guess it confuses me because when you go to the install java page from the main java.com page, there is something on the side that says you should remove older versions of Java first
It is usually a good practice to remove older programs before installing new ones. However, as mentioned by SOJ, that is no longer necessary because they have cleaned up their installer. You can do it either way. The procedure is painless whichever way you choose to go.
The advice on the Java site about removing old versions has to do with versions prior to Version 6 Update 10, which was the first version that could be removed automatically by later installations. Prior to that time it was necessary to manually remove old versions and Java actually recommended keeping them installed to accomodate older applications that used them. This was, of course, terrible advice since the older versions usually contained glaring security flaws. Java has since changed their tune and now suggests removing anything older than the latest version. Since many users may have several versions that are older than 1.6.0_10 and cannot be removed automatically, it posts that advice so users will know to go into Add/Remove Programs and get rid of the really old, dangerous stuff manually.
Since Java is set to check for updates only on certain dates, you can go quite awhile after an update is released before your Java installation checks in.
What I usually do when I hear that a new version of Java has been released is simply go to the Java control panel and tell it to check for new updates. If you're connected to the internet it will immediately check for a newer version of Java and, if one is available, it will offer to download and install it for you.
From there I simply follow the prompts. I haven't had to uninstall a previous version of Java for a couple of years or so. The Java control panel does all the heavy lifting.
The only caveat I've found is that Java doesn't seem to do a very good job of removing it's Firefox plugin. I usually have to do that manually which under Vista or Windows 7 requires you to run Firefox as Administrator. And, I've heard that it's a bit more difficult with Firefox 4. I guess I'll see about that soon enough.
Actually, I was thinking I may need to repharse my question
I was wondering what I needed to do more along the lines of updating from Java 6 Upadte 24 (which I currently have) to Java 6 Update 25 (the newest Javaupdate)
Can I just go to
Control Panel>Program>Java
Then click the update now button? Then update from the directions there?
If I do it that way will it:
1. Remove Java 6 Update 24?
2. Install Java 6 Update 25 WITHOUT any of the add ons that Java sometimes like to throw in??
Yes you can generally use the Java Updater. It will remove the previous version, but you will still have to pay attention and deselect any piggyback software that is bundled with the Java software.
As of yesterday the updater was not fetching the new version and was proclaiming that update 24 was the most recent version. The updater always seems to lag in providing the latest updates, but this is especially so when the update is for features and usability with no security fixes, which is the case with update 25. So if you want it, you will probably have to go to the site and download it.
That's pretty much what I do... just go to the Java control panel and click on the update now button.
It will remove your old version of Java and install the new...and if you don't have Firefox there's no need to worry about that particular plugin because it won't get installed.
I think the last time I updated Java, it may have gone through a couple of dialog boxes... one of which may have had a check box for some toolbar or something. I just unchecked the box and went on with the install and just got Java, nothing else. Since you have to click on the next button to continue with the install, I don't think it's going to install any extras without your permission. In any case, just monitor the install...it only takes a few moments anyway... and if it throws up a screen asking if you want to install something, just uncheck whatever box is provided and go on to the next screen.
During the download process there were no check boxes for any "offers of additional downloads"
But there was something in the dialog box about open office. But again no check box
So anyone who has just downlkoaded 6 update 25, did you see this same thing?
I did the upgrade yesterday on two machines... one with XP SP3 and the other with Vista SP2 64bit. At no time did I see an attempt to install anything other than Java.
The "OpenOffice" window you see is merely an advertisement and is not presented as an optional download during the Java installation.
Since Java and OpenOffice are part of Oracle, this was just a means to advertise the free-ware office suite. But, Oracle is planning to discontinue further development of OpenOffice.
