On Windows x64, Does Installing Java SE 8 64-Bit Override the Default Path Set by an Existing 32-bit Installation of the Same Patch Update Version (Doc ID 2594622.1)

Last updated on MARCH 31, 2023

Applies to:

Goal

For Windows platforms and any given Java SE 8 release, both a 32-bit JRE and 64-bit JRE are provided.  The same is true for the JDK.  On Windows x86 (32-bit) systems, you can only install 32-bit JRE and/or JDK.  However, on Windows x64 systems, you can install either 32-bit or 64-bit (or both) JRE and/or JDK. 

If you first install a JRE 8 32-bit release, say,  JRE 8 Update 221 b27, the Windows System "Path" variable is updated with the path to the 'javapath'.

If you later install the 64-bit JRE or JDK of the same version, JRE 8 Update 221 b27, will the System "Path" environment variable be overridden with the 64-bit JRE, such that the 64-bit JRE becomes the system default 'java' executable?

Solution

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