Java 11 does not set Java Environment Variable

Question

usually when installing an updated JRE, the environment variables will be set so that running any java command in CMD will use the new version.

I've just installed JDK 11 which doesn't have a JRE equivalent - well it's in the JDK - but java commands are still being sent to JRE 8.

This is no problem for me, I can always change the environment vars myself and point to "C:\\Program Files/java/jdk-11/bin/java.exe", but anyone who wants to use my program, which requires Java 11, will not have their variables set and it's a bit much to ask them to do so.

Why are they not being set on a standard Java 11 install? Am I being stupid?

Answer 1

Oracle is still pushing 8 as the "end user" Java install. That's why it's the only one you can find on java.com. Newer versions of Java are designed either for back-end use on servers, or to be bundled with the application itself. The latter option is what you want.