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How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line

This wikiHow teaches you how to check what version of java you have installed on your Windows computer using Command Prompt. Click the Windows Start icon. It's the icon with Windows logo. By default, it's in the bottom-left corner of the...

★ Instructions on how to compile and execute Java using Command Prompt
★ How to use the command history function in Command Prompt
Method 1 of 3:

Using Windows 10

  1. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 1
    Click the Windows Start
    How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 2
    icon. It's the icon with Windows logo. By default, it's in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar. This opens the Start menu.
    • You can also press the ⊞ Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 3
    Type cmd. This displays the Command Prompt icon at the top of the Start menu. As you type, a list of programs and search results appears in the Windows Start menu.
  3. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 4
    Click the Command Prompt icon
    How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 5
    . It's the black square icon with a small white "C:" in the upper-right corner.
  4. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 6
    Type java -version in the Command Prompt. This is the Command Prompt command to check which version of Java you are using. Type it in the Command Prompt window.
  5. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 7
    Press ↵ Enter. This displays a readout of the current Java version that is installed on your computer in the Command Prompt. Make sure you include a space after "java".
    • If it doesn't display any information or there is an error while running the command, you might not have Java installed on your computer. To download Java, go to https://www.java.com/en/ in a web browser and click Free Java Download. After you install Java, restart your computer.
    • If you have Java, make sure you have the latest version of Java.
    • To determine if your system is running a 32-bit or 64-bit version, read How to Check If Your PC is Running the 32-bit or 64-bit Version of Windows to determine which version of Windows you are running.
Method 2 of 3:

Using Windows 8

  1. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 8
    Right-click the Windows Start
    How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 9
    icon. It's the icon with the Windows logo. By default, it's in the lower-left corner. Right-clicking this icon displays the System menu above the Start button.
  2. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 10
    Click Run. It's the third option from the bottom of the System menu. This opens the "Run" program.
  3. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 11
    Type cmd.exe next to "Open". Use the space next to "Open" in the Run program to type the command to open the Command Prompt.
  4. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 12
    Click Ok. It's the first button at the bottom of the "Run" program. This opens the Command Prompt.[1]
  5. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 13
    Type java -version in the Command Prompt. This is the Command Prompt command to check which version of Java you are using. Type it in the Command Prompt window.
  6. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 14
    Press ↵ Enter. This displays a readout of the current Java version that is installed on your computer in the Command Prompt. Make sure you include a space after "java".
    • If it doesn't display any information or there is an error while running the command, you might not have Java installed on your computer. To download Java, go to https://www.java.com/en/ in a web browser and click Free Java Download. After you install Java, restart your computer.
    • If you have Java, make sure you have the latest version of Java and find out if your system is running a 32-bit or 64-bit version.
Method 3 of 3:

Using Windows 7, Vista, and XP

  1. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 15
    Click the Windows Start icon. It's the icon with the Windows logo. By default, it's in the lower-left corner in the taskbar. This displays the Windows Start menu.
  2. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 16
    Click All Programs. It's in the Windows Start menu. This displays a list of all programs installed on your computer.
  3. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 17
    Click Accessories. This is a sub-folder in "All Programs" list. This displays a list of Windows pre-installed programs.
  4. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 18
    Click Command Prompt. It's in the list of Accessories. This opens the Command Prompt.
  5. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 19
    Type java -version in the Command Prompt. This is the Command Prompt command to check which version of Java you are using. Type it in the Command Prompt window.
  6. How to Check Your Java Version in the Windows Command Line Picture 20
    Press ↵ Enter. This displays a readout of the current Java version that is installed on your computer in the Command Prompt. Make sure you include a space after "java".
    • If it doesn't display any information or there is an error while running the command, you might not have Java installed on your computer. To download Java, go to https://www.java.com/en/ in a web browser and click Free Java Download. After you install Java, restart your computer.
    • If you have Java, make sure you have the latest version of Java.

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Samuel Daniel

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Samuel Daniel
Update 05 March 2020

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