Note: This is a revised version of instructions I previously wrote on
how to disable Java on your Windows computer. The instructions as
originally written might not work properly if you already had certain
older versions of Java on your computer. Even if you installed the
latest version the older version might mask the presence of the latest
one. To make matters worse the Java control panel on the older version
has a different appearance and doesn't match the instructions. Sorry if
any of this caused you some confusion. Let's try again.
BACKGROUND OF THE JAVA PROBLEM
Java is a programming language supported by Oracle Corp. that is
commonly used in internet browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox,
Chrome and others. Java is one of many "extensions" or "plug-ins" that
provide added function to the browser.
Unfortunately, older and current versions of Java have a security
defect that will allow malicious "malware" to quietly take over control
of your computer. You will never know it happened because it has no
obvious characteristics and current anti-virus software is unlikely to
find the possibly hundreds or thousands of variations of malware that
will likely spring up to take advantage of the defect. Some are already
for sale on the internet to anyone who'd like to steal your information
or otherwise take surreptitious control of your computer.
To be clear, the Java "problem" is not a virus... Java itself is a good
thing when it works as it's supposed to. Rather the Java "problem" is
that it's a security "hole" in Java that can allow a virus and other
types of malware to sneak onto your computer. The analogy is really too
simple but, if you considered Java like one of many gates in a fence
protecting your computer, the Java "problem" is that the Java gate has a
hole in it.
The solution it to disable Java until a safe version is available (which
some say could take as long as 2 years). But do be aware that some
internet sites you presently use may no longer work or work properly if
they are dependent on Java. For example, my wife Peg uses a crossword
puzzle website to print a weekly puzzle. The site is:
<http://www.sundaycrosswords.com/ccpuz/MPuz.php> If Java is disabled,
as soon as you visit this site you will be presented with a big gray
square with a message stating that "A plug-in is needed to display this
content". It then offers to install the plug-in for you. It doesn't
tell you but the plug-in is Java. Do *not* accept the invitation. Even
if you actually do want to use this site it's not necessary to
re-install Java. You just need to return to the Java control panel to
re-enable it.
The question is... should you re-enable it to use this or some other web
site you like? If it's this site the answer is no. It's not worth the
risk to print a free cross-word puzzle. It's especially true for this
website since, if you do re-enable Java for this site the next thing you
see is another message asking you if it's OK to run this application. If
you see a message like this then say "no" and quit the website. The
reason for the permission message is that the application did not
present adequate security credentials that would identify who created
it. In simpler words... it cannot be trusted because it's asking for
access to your computer and hard drive but can't or won't identify
itself according to internet security standards.
But what if the website you're trying to use is your bank and the
banking application you normally use won't run because Java is disabled.
That's a harder question. If you really need to use it I would call
the bank. Express your concern for the Java security problem and ask if
their Java application is safe to use. If they say "yes" then re-enable
Java and give it a try. But, if you see the same type of pop-up message
asking permission to run, then stop believing the bank. It's quite
possible that their web site has been infected with an imposter
application that can't identify its owner as your bank. Let's hope that
doesn't happen... but it might.
=====================================================================
So, on to how to disable Java
=====================================================================
(1) The first step to disabling Java is to display the Windows Control panel
For Windows XP: Click on "Start" (at lower left corner) then "Settings"
then "Control Panel"
For Windows 7: Click on "Start" (the circular Windows icon at lower
left corner) then "Control Panel". At upper right you will see a pull
down menu "View by: Category". Click on "Category" and then on "Large
Icons" in the pull down menu items. This will display all of the
control panel icons rather than just the categories of items.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) The second step is to remove any and all old versions of Java.
For Windows XP: Double-click on the "Add or Remove Programs" icon
For Windows 7: Click on the "Programs and Features" icon
These are simply different names for the same thing. For both versions
Windows will display a long list of all the programs installed on your
computer. Be patient.. it may take several minutes to display the
entire list on older computers.
Once the list is displayed (in alphabetical order) scroll down the list
looking for anything whose name starts with "Java". If the only thing
you see is called "Java 7 Update 11" you already have (as of 1/26/2013)
the latest version of Java and can jump ahead to Step 3.
Any Java item you see whose version number is less than 7 is old and
needs to be deleted by "uninstalling" it. Even if the version number is
also 7 but has an update number less than 11 it's also old and needs to
be uninstalled. It's possible there may be several of these old Java
entries. For each one to be removed start first by selecting it with a
single click. After the click:
For Windows XP: You will see a small, highlighted information panel
displayed for the entry. It usually consists of several lines. At the
lower right corner of the panel will be a button labeled "Remove". Click
the "Remove" button and that particular Java entry will be uninstalled.
For Windows 7: Perform a right click on the Java line item you want to
remove. You will see a tiny pop-up item labeled "Uninstall". Click on
the "Uninstall" item and the Java entry will be uninstalled. Also for
Windows 7 you may see another pop-up panel asking you to verify whether
you agree to removing this program. Click "Yes" to continue.
Now do the same for any other Java items you see listed *unless* it's
"Java 7 Update 11" (or possibly a later version with higher numbers)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) The third step. Once all old Java items have been uninstalled you
can return to the detailed control panel icon display.
For Windows XP: Click on the "X" in the upper right corner of the
programs listing window. The window will close and reveal the control
panel icons window underneath.
For Windows 7: Click on the blue and white "back arrow" (<-) at upper
left. This will return you to the "All Control Panel Items" display.
Next, for both Windows versions:
Now that the control panel icons are displayed look for one called
"Java" (the icon is a red, white and blue steaming cup of coffee). If
you do find a Java control panel icon it should be for the Java 7 update
11 version or later. That's the one we said we could keep back in step
2. That doesn't mean it's safe but, if you have one of these later
versions of Java, you can skip ahead to step 5.
(4) Step 4 is in case you don't see a Java Control panel icon in the
Windows control panel. It means that you have successfully removed all
Java versions. But, in order to continue, it's necessary to update to
the (still dangerous) latest level which can be found here:
<http://www.java.com/en/download/inc/windows_new_xpi.jsp?locale=en>
Click on the link above (which takes you to the Java download page) and
then on the red "Install" button on the Java download page. You will be
prompted for a place to save the installation file. Remember where you
put it since, after the download completes, you must find the file and
double click on its name to cause it to install the latest version of Java.
After the installation completes you should exit your browser and
restart it. This allows the browser to note that a later version of
Java has been installed. This latest version of Java will install the
missing Java control panel which is required to perform step 5. You can
now continue with the instructions below and use the newly installed
Java control panel to disable what you just installed. Yes, that's
right... to disable what you just installed.
(5) Step 5. Return to the Windows control panel and to the Java control
panel within it (see Step 1 above). We want to click on the Java control
panel icon to cause the Java control panel to open.
For Windows XP: Double click the Java control panel icon.
For Windows 7: A single click is enough
Be patient, the Java control panel can be a bit sluggish in responding.
When it finally opens you will see 5 tabs at top. Click on the
"Security" tab and then (at the top) *uncheck* the box next to "Enable
Java content in the browser" by clicking on the box. After turning the
check mark off click on "Apply" (at lower right) and then click on "OK".
If you are running Windows 7 it may pop up a couple of "Are you sure
you want to do this" sort of warning messages. Say "Yes". You're done.
Java is disabled for all browsers.
If you need to re-enable Java (for example, to use your banking
application) then return to the Windows and Java control panels (Step 1)
and repeat the instructions above (Step 5) but click the check mark
again to turn Java back on. Don't forget to click "apply" and "OK" to
actually make it happen. When you get through with your bank or other
extremely important application (so important you're willing to take a
risk)... remember to turn Java off again.
=====================================================================
Chuck Norcutt
Jan 26, 2013
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