Setting up a Java development environment doesn't need to be complicated. Whether you are building enterprise apps or just starting out, having the latest Java Development Kit (JDK) is essential.
In this quick step-by-step guide, we will walk through how to download and install Oracle Java 26 on a Windows 11 machine in under two minutes.
If you prefer a quick visual walkthrough, you can follow along with the [original video tutorial here] .
🛠️ Step 1: Download the Java 26 JDK Installer
To get the official, secure files, you should always download directly from the source:
- Open your browser and search for "Oracle Java".
- Click on the official Oracle website (
oracle.com/java). - Click the prominent "Download Java" button on the homepage.
- Scroll down to the downloads section where the latest version, JDK 26, is selected by default.
- Click on the Windows operating system tab.
- Click the download link next to the x64 Installer (the
.exefile) to save it to your machine.
💡 Tip: You can also choose the
.msi(Windows Installer) version if you prefer a standard managed setup package, but the standard x64 Installer is perfectly fine for most developers.
⚙️ Step 2: Run the Java Installation Wizard
- Locate the downloaded file (usually
jdk-26_windows-x64_bin.exe) in your Downloads folder and double-click to run it. - When the Java Setup Wizard opens, click Next on the welcome screen.
- Choose your installation path. By default, it installs to
C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-26\. We highly recommend keeping this default path. Click Next. - The wizard will copy the files and set up the binaries. This usually takes less than 30 seconds.
- Once you see the "Successfully Installed" message, click Close.
🧪 Step 3: How to Check If Java Is Installed Correctly
Now, let's verify that your Windows system recognizes the new Java 26 installation.
- Press
Win + Ron your keyboard, typecmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt. - In the terminal window, type the following verification command and press Enter:
bash
java -version
