Upgrading Java

Step-by-Step

Note:Many centrally controlled administrative systems are now available via Remote Desktop Services (RDS), which means you no longer have to worry about the version of java running on your computer. See the Related Articles section of this article to see if they application you use can now be accessed via RDS. 

Users of centrally controlled administrative systems should be running Java 8 update 161 as of March 2018. Follow the steps below to upgrade to that version of Java if you are not prompted when you log into a system. If you have any questions about whether or not to upgrade your Java version please call the IT Help Desk at 603-646-2999 7:30am - 5:30pm ET Monday-Friday.

Windows 10 Users

Note: The Microsoft Edge browser does not support Java. If you are running Windows 10, you will need to use Internet Explorer or Firefox for accessing applications that require java.

  1. Search for Control Panel then double click the Control Panel desktop app that appears in the list to open it.
  2. Double click the Java control panel to open it.
  3. On the General tab, click the About button to display the version of Java currently installed on your computer. If you're already on Java 8 update 161 you don't need to do anything.
  4. If you're not on Java 8 update 161, click the Update tab then click Update Now. During the installation you may be prompted to install other items (e.g. Yahoo). We recommend you select to Do not update browser settings so they do not get installed.
  5. If prompted to uninstall older versions of Java, do so. Leaving the older versions in place is a security risk for your computer and data.
  6. After the installation completes, you may be prompted to verify your version of Java.

Windows 7 Users

  1. Click Start then Control Panel.
  2. Double click the Java control panel to open it.
  3. On the General tab, click the About button to display the version of Java currently installed on your computer. If you're already on Java 8 update 161 you don't need to do anything.
  4. Click the Update tab then click Update Now. During the installation you may be prompted to install other items (e.g. Yahoo). We recommend you remove the check boxes from any of these additional items so they do not get installed.
  5. After the installation completes, you may be prompted to verify your version of Java.

Macintosh OS X Users

  1. With the Finder as the active application, click the Apple menu then System Preferences.
  2. Click Java.
    Note: If you do not have a Java System Preference, see Installing Java below.
  3. On the General tab, click the About button to display the version of Java currently installed on your computer. If you are already running Java 8 update 161 you don't have to do anything else.
  4. If you're not already running java 8 update 161, click the Update tab.
  5. Place a check in the Check for Updates Automatically field then click OK.

Macintosh OS X Users: Installing Java

  1. Open a web browser and connect to http://java.com.
  2. Click the red Free Java Download button.
  3. Click the red Agree and Start Free Download button.
  4. If prompted to save the download, click the Save File button and save the jre-8u161-macosx-x64.dmg to your computer.
  5. Double-click the jre-8u161-macosx-x64.dmg to launch the installer and follow the instructions for the installation. Uncheck the Yahoo homepage box when prompted so you don't have Yahoo installed.
  6. Restart your computer after the installation completes before returning to using services that require Java.
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