How to run a JAR file on Windows

Windows applications are primarily packaged as installers or executable files. An application installer has the extension MSI and an executable file has the extension EXE. Sometimes a developer may cull to compress an EXE file. This is done because browsers block the download of an EXE thinking that information technology is malicious. Similarly, some email clients and services may non allow users to adhere or download an EXE file. Therefore, Windows users are used to extracting an EXE file from a compressed binder to run information technology. Although normal, this tin can be confusing if you have downloaded a JAR file. The JAR file volition exist associated with the 7zip or Winzip applications. The annal application will be able to extract the JAR file, just there will be nothing for it to run. Here'southward how you tin can run a JAR file on Windows.

What is a JAR file?

A JAR file is a Java file. JAR is the file extension for Java files. Applications are designed to run on the Java framework. Minecraft (the desktop version) is a common instance of an application that requires Java installed on your system to run. Minecraft itself is packaged as an EXE file and then y'all never accept to run a JAR file with it.

The JAR file is a pure Coffee application that has not been packaged into an EXE. Windows alone cannot run information technology.

Install Java

To run a JAR file on Windows, you need to install Coffee on your system. Check if the file y'all want to run requires a specific version of Java to run. If the developer has not specified a version, download and install the latest version of Coffee on your organisation.

Run a JAR file

The file association of the JAR file will not modify once you take installed Java. Browse to the binder where the JAR file is located. Correct click and become to the 'Open With' option. Select 'Choose another app'. You will run across 'Java (TM) Platform SE binary' in this context bill of fare, but do not select it. Select the 'Choose another app' option.

The message "How do you want to open this file?" the carte du jour volition announced. Select 'Coffee (TM) Platform SE binary' and check the 'Always utilize this application to open .jar files' option at the lesser. Click OK'.

The file will now open. All future JAR files that yous download will now be associated with Coffee. You will but take to double-click on a JAR file to run it. The next JAR file y'all download volition non exist associated with a file application. Instead, the file'due south icon will exist the official Coffee file icon.