How to Find Where JDK is Installed on Windows

The Java Development Kit (JDK) is a crucial tool for developing Java applications. If you’re working with Java on Windows, you might occasionally need to know the exact location where the JDK is installed. This could be for configuration purposes, upgrading, or troubleshooting.

In this article, we will walk you through different ways to find the JDK installation path on a Windows system.

Method 1: Using the Command Prompt (javac command)

The most straightforward way to find where JDK is installed on Windows is by using the Command Prompt.

Steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt:
   • Press Win + R to open the “Run” dialog.
   • Type cmd and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. Run the javac command:
   • Type the following command in the Command Prompt and press Enter:
     bash

     javac -verbose

3. Look for the installation path:
   • This command will print out the details of the Java compilation process, including the JDK installation path.
   • Look for a line similar to:
     mathematica

     Using Java compiler: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14.0.1\bin\javac.exe

   • This shows the full path to the JDK directory (C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14.0.1\ in this example).

Notes:

• If you get an error like 'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, the JDK is either not installed or not added to your system’s PATH variable.

Method 2: Using the java -version Command

The java -version command can also help you identify the JDK installation path by showing the version and additional details about the installation.

Steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt:
   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Run the java -version command:
   • Type the following command and press Enter:
     bash

     java -version

3. Check for the JDK path:
   • The output will display the version of Java installed, like:
     bash

     java version "1.8.0_271"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_271-b09)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.271-b09, mixed mode)

   • Although this command doesn’t explicitly show the installation path, it will confirm that Java is installed. If java is not found, it suggests that Java is not installed or not properly added to the PATH environment variable.

Method 3: Checking the JAVA_HOME Environment Variable

The JAVA_HOME environment variable is often set when you install Java. It points to the root directory of your JDK installation.

Steps:

1. Open the Environment Variables Window:
   • Right-click on the “This PC” (or “Computer”) icon on your desktop or in the Start Menu.
   • Select Properties.
   • Click on Advanced system settings on the left.
   • In the “System Properties” window, click on the Environment Variables button.
2. Check the JAVA_HOME Variable:
   • Under System variables, scroll down and look for JAVA_HOME.
   • If it’s set, it will show the JDK installation path, such as:
     makefile

     C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14.0.1

   • If JAVA_HOME is not listed, it means the environment variable was not set, but you can manually set it if needed.

Method 4: Manually Searching in Default Directories

In case you can’t find the JDK installation via the above methods, you can search for it manually in the default installation directories.

Steps:

1. Default Installation Paths:
   • The default installation directory for the JDK is typically:
     makefile

     C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-version

   • Or for 32-bit systems:
     java

     C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk-version

2. Use Windows File Explorer:
   • Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files\Java\.
   • Look for a folder named jdk-version, where version is the JDK version number (e.g., jdk-14.0.1).

Method 5: Using Windows Registry (Advanced)

In some cases, you can find the JDK path by searching the Windows registry. This method is more advanced and requires caution, but it can be useful if other methods don’t work.

Steps:

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor:
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
   • The Windows Registry Editor will open.
2. Search for the JDK Path:
   • Navigate to the following path in the registry:
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Development Kit

   • Look for the JavaHome key, which should contain the installation path of your JDK.
3. Warning:
   • Editing the Windows registry can affect system settings. If you don’t need to change anything, just use it for reference.

There are several ways to find where the JDK is installed on your Windows system:

1. Using the Command Prompt with the javac -verbose or java -version command.
2. Checking the JAVA_HOME environment variable.
3. Manually searching in the default directories like C:\Program Files\Java.
4. Using the Windows Registry if needed.

By following one of these methods, you should be able to quickly determine where your JDK is installed and proceed with your Java development work.