If you are familiar with EXE files, you know that they launch program files when you double click on them. They do this with Windows OS Support.
Similarly, JAR files require Java Framework support to execute. When you double click on them, they show the contents that are hidden in them.
JAR files are widely used to download or upload multiple files as a single file and require less space. In this deposition, we will walk you through the details about the .jar files, how to make them, and run them.
What Is a Java Executable JAR File?
JAR or Java ARchive is an archiving file format that can store directories and files as a package. They are easily portable and require less storage.
You might have seen .ZIP files that are the general archiving files. A .JAR is similar but differs slightly because it requires the Java Run time Environment to execute.
An executable JAR file can contain java class files (Java compiled code files), image files, audio files, etc. You can also make the JAR file an executable file (similar to .EXE files).
How To Make JAR Files?
You can easily create a JAR archive file by following Oracle’s packaging programs in JAR files documentation on the official site. In the documentation, you can get all the information related to creating, packaging, and signing a JAR file.
Remember, JAR files are created for a specific purpose: Bundling together files so that they can be used as Java applications.
How To Fix Problems Opening JAR Files on Windows?
Often when we open JAR files, users get an incompatibility or security error. Here are a few solutions for your problem:
1. Java Runtime Environment (JRE): It is recommended that you always have the latest JRE installed on your computer. You can check the current Java JRE version by searching for Java in the control panel.
2. Wrong program opens JAR file: Sometimes Windows opens JAR files using a program that doesn’t support it. You can right-click on the JAR file, go to Open With, and then choose another app to open Java.
3. Security Error: Sometimes, Java alerts users with a security warning while opening a JAR file. To fix this, follow the below steps:
Step 1. Type configure Java in the start menu and select the related result.
Step 2. In the Java Control Panel, go to the Security tab.
Step 3. Tap the Enable Java content for browser and Web Start applications checkbox and enable it.
Step 4. In the security level section, set it at High.
Step 5. If required, add an exception site list and then click OK.
How To Run A JAR File On Windows 10?
Now that you know what a JAR file is and how you can create it. There are various methods on how to run JAR files on Windows 10, such as:
- Add Java Software To Windows
- Download Third-Party JAR File Opener
- Install or Use Java(Tm) Platform SE Binary
- Run Any JAR File From The Windows Command Prompt
- Add A Third-party JAR Executor To Windows
1. Add Java To Windows
Java is essential to run JAR files and other Java-based applications. You can download the Java installation folder from Oracle.
Step 1. Simultaneously press the Windows icon and R key to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2. In the text box, write cmd and hit Enter to open Command Prompt (Admin).
Step 3. In the open command prompt window, write the following command in the command line and press enter.
java -version
Step 4. Check if the Java version in your system is up-to-date by verifying against Oracle’s website.
In the above command, the Java version is 16.0.1 and the Java runtime environment is also updated to the latest. Your system is now ready to run all java files.
2. Download A JAR File Opener
There are various third-party applications available that you can download to run JAR files. One such software is File Viewer Plus that supports over 300 different file types.
The File Viewer Plus application supports all popular video, source code, audio, web, archive, or text file types.
The software gets updated often and comes with a plethora of new features that will save your time viewing, editing, or opening files.
3. Use Java(TM) Platform SE Binary
Step 1. Simultaneously press the Windows icon and E key to open File Explorer.
Step 2. Navigate to the location where your JAR file is located.
Step 3. Right-click on the JAR file and tap Open with the option from the context menu.
Step 4. Select Choose another app from the Open with Context menu.
Step 5. When the “How do you want to open this file?” dialog box appears, tap Java™ Platform SE Java binary option.
Step 6. Tap the Always use this app to open the .jar files check box.
Step 7. Click on the OK button.
Step 8. Now double click on your JAR file. It will run using the app you selected in Step 5. The changes will be applied to all the JAR files in your system. Check if you are able to run jar files on your computer.
4. Run Any JAR File From The Windows Command Prompt
Step 1. Simultaneously press the Windows icon and X key. Click on Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu to run the command prompt as administrator.
Step 2. Write the following commands in the command line
java -jar <C: path to jar file>.jar. Replace <C: Path to jar file> with the actual path of the JAR file you want to run.
Step 3. Alternatively, you can use cd /< Path to jar file directory> to navigate to the directory in which the JAR file is stored. Replace < Path to jar file directory> with the actual location of the JAR file that you want to run. Once you are at the desired location, type java -jar file.jar in the command line. Replace the file.jar with the name of the JAR file you want to run.
JAR files come with an application’s entry point, which the developers include while creating the archiving file. The above steps will execute the JAR file as long as the entry point is available in it.
5. Add A JAR Executor Software To Windows
Since Windows doesn’t provide Java Framework support to open or run JAR files or other Java programs, you can use third-party JAR executors to run the Java program and Java apps.
One such executor is Jarx which you can download from here. The link will download an EXE file which you must run to install the software.
Jarx doesn’t have a GUI except an About Jarx page. You can run the JAR files now by simply double-clicking on them.
How To Extract A JAR?
You can unpackage JAR files using file extraction software (7-Zip file or WinRAR). You can open and see the folders and files stored in the JAR file, or you can extract its contents to another folder.
We hope this composition has proved helpful to you in opening, viewing, creating, running, and fixing a JAR file.
Final Word
Java is essential for all computer systems. Many browsers require Java support to show content and run media files. The Java RunTime Environment (JRE) can be installed from Oracle’s official page. Also, Java has vast community support online, so that you can look into that for further details.
We hope the above methods were able to help you gain knowledge about JAR files, how to make Java Archive files, how to fix problems related to them, and how to run the Java class files or other files that require Java support.
