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Java Installation for windows

Click on this link if you are using linux

1) Pick & install a JDK (Java Development Kit)

You need a JDK to compile and run Java code. Two safe options are the official OpenJDK builds or vendor builds (Microsoft Build of OpenJDK, Oracle, Temurin, etc.). I’ll point to OpenJDK and Microsoft as examples — both are production-ready.

  1. Open a browser and download a JDK:

    • OpenJDK builds: go to the this link and download the Windows x64 installer .msi/.exe.

  2. Run the installer you downloaded:

    • Double-click the .msi or .exe.
    • Accept the license, choose the default install folder (e.g. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-...) and finish the installer.

  3. Verify the install (Command Prompt):

    • Open Start → type cmd → Enter to open a Command Prompt.

    • Type:

      java -version
javac -version

      You should see version output (e.g. openjdk version "18.0.2.1" or similar). If both commands print versions, the JDK is installed and on your PATH.

If java or javac is not found, continue to next step to set environment variables.

2) (If needed) Set JAVA_HOME and put Java on your PATH

Some tools expect JAVA_HOME to be set. Windows often sets java automatically, but here’s how to set it manually.

  1. Find the JDK installation folder — usually: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-<version> or similar (check the folder you noted during install).

  2. Open System Environment Variables:

    • Press Windows key, type “Environment Variables”, then select Edit the system environment variables.
    • In the System Properties window click Environment Variables…

  3. Add JAVA_HOME:

    • Under System variables click New…
    • Variable name: JAVA_HOME
    • Variable value: the JDK folder path, e.g. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-18.0.2.1
    • Click OK.

  4. Add %JAVA_HOME%\bin to PATH:

    • In System variables find Path, select it and click Edit…
    • Click New, paste: %JAVA_HOME%\bin
    • Click OK all the way out.

  5. Open a new Command Prompt (important — it picks up updated variables) and run:

    java -version
javac -version

    Both should now report versions.

3) Install IntelliJ IDEA (Community Edition)

IntelliJ is a very popular IDE for Java. The Community edition is free and fine for learning Java.

  1. Download IntelliJ IDEA Community:

  2. Run the IntelliJ installer:

    • Double-click the downloaded .exe.

    • During setup you can:

      • Create Start Menu entry — your choice.
      • Add “Open Folder as Project” (handy).
      • Add the launcher to PATH? (optional)
      • Associate .java files — optional.

    • Finish install and launch IntelliJ.

  3. First launch:

    • IntelliJ may ask about settings/imports. For a fresh install choose Do not import settings.
    • You’ll see the Welcome screen.

4) Create your first Java project in IntelliJ and run Hello World

I’ll give the exact clicks from the IntelliJ Welcome screen.

  1. From IntelliJ Welcome screen click New Project.

    • In the New Project dialog choose Java on the left.
    • For Project SDK choose the JDK you installed. If the SDK list is empty click Add JDK and navigate to the JDK folder (C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-...).
    • Leave the build system as IntelliJ (or Gradle/Maven if you want, but not necessary for Hello World).
    • Click Next or Create.

  2. Create a package and Java class:

    • In the Project tool window (left side) right-click src → New → Package. Give it a name like com.example.helloworld (or skip packages and use default).
    • Right-click the package → New → Java Class and name it Main (or HelloWorld).

  3. Type the Hello World program (IntelliJ may auto-generate a main for you if you choose “Create main class”):

    package com.example.helloworld; // only if you created a package

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
}

  4. Run the program:

    • Right-click inside the editor and choose Run 'Main.main()', or click the green run triangle in the gutter next to the main method, or press Shift+F10 (default).

    • The Run tool window will open at the bottom and show:

      Hello, World!

    • If you see that, congrats — your Java program built and ran.