• Handling Java updates is complicated. First, you have to know if it is installed. Second, you have to know which of three versions you have ( 1.4.x, 1.5.x, 1.6.x ). There are a variety of ways to do this. Perhaps the simplest is to visit the www.java.com web site and let it automatically detect it for you.
• Visit the following web site and click the 'Verify now' link: http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
• If you don't have it installed, don't install it.
• If you have it installed, the best general recommendation is to uninstall any old versions and install the latest version of 1.6, also known as 'Java 6'. The only exception to this recommendation is if you need one of the older versions, ( 1.4 or 1.5 ) for a particular application you run. This isn't likely to be the case unless you've installed special software that requires Java or access a special web site that requires it. Often in such cases, the application will install its own copy of Java for its own use. For the vast majority of people, the latest version of 1.6 is the best solution. The latest update for any of the three versions can be installed through the http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp web site.
• Newer versions will automatically check for updates and notify the operator when an update is available. Unfortunately, for this to happen the operator currently needs to be logged in with Administrator privileges. Logging in with Administrator privileges is generally not recommended for day to day use.
• Old versions must be manually uninstalled using the Windows 'Add or Remove Programs' Control Panel.

Handling Java updates is complicated. First, you have to know if it is installed. Second, you have to know which of three versions you have ( 1.4.x, 1.5.x, 1.6.x ). There are a variety of ways to do this. Perhaps the simplest is to visit the www.java.com web site and let it automatically detect it for you.

• Visit the following web site and click the 'Verify now' link: http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
• If you don't have it installed, don't install it.
• If you have it installed, the best general recommendation is to uninstall any old versions and install the latest version of 1.6, also known as 'Java 6'. The only exception to this recommendation is if you need one of the older versions, ( 1.4 or 1.5 ) for a particular application you run. This isn't likely to be the case unless you've installed special software that requires Java or access a special web site that requires it. Often in such cases, the application will install its own copy of Java for its own use. For the vast majority of people, the latest version of 1.6 is the best solution. The latest update for any of the three versions can be installed through the http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp web site.
• Newer versions will automatically check for updates and notify the operator when an update is available. Unfortunately, for this to happen the operator currently needs to be logged in with Administrator privileges. Logging in with Administrator privileges is generally not recommended for day to day use.
• Old versions must be manually uninstalled using the Windows 'Add or Remove Programs' Control Panel.