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How to Install OpenJDK on Windows

Published: December 1, 2025 (Updated: Dec 1, 2025)

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How to Install openJDK 14 on Windows 10: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Hi there, this is Darren O’Neill from Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

If you’re ready to dive into Java development, openJDK is the standard choice for robust and high-performing applications. In this short but powerful guide, we’re going to walk through the exact steps to get openJDK 14 installed and perfectly configured on your Windows 10 machine.

We’ll cover everything from the initial download to setting those critical environment variables—ensuring your system is fully ready to run Java commands from anywhere. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Downloading and Extracting openJDK 14

The first step is always getting the necessary files onto your PC. Since openJDK comes bundled in a ZIP archive, we’ll need to handle a quick extraction before setup.

  1. Search and Locate: Open your browser and search for “open JDK download.” Look for the official download link (usually from the Oracle or the main OpenJDK page).
  2. Download the Windows ZIP: Ensure you select the version corresponding to the Windows operating system (we are focusing on openJDK 14 here, packaged as a .zip file).
  3. Locate the Archive: Once the download is complete, navigate to your Downloads folder.
  4. Extract the Files: Right-click the downloaded ZIP file and select Extract All. Choose a temporary destination for the extraction (like the Downloads folder itself). Wait for the extraction process to complete.

Step 2: Organizing the JDK Files

To keep our system clean and ensure maximum compatibility, we need to place the JDK files in a standard, logical location.

  1. Cut the Extracted Folder: Open the newly extracted folder (it will likely be named something like jdk-14-....). Right-click on this folder and select Cut.
  2. Navigate to Program Files: Go to This PC -> C: Drive -> Program Files.
  3. Create a Java Directory: Inside Program Files, create a new folder named Java.
  4. Paste the JDK: Click into the new Java folder and paste the JDK directory you just cut.

Result Check: Your final JDK folder path should now look similar to this: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14.x.x

Step 3: Adding Java to the Windows System Path

For your computer to recognize Java commands (java, javac) from any command prompt window, we must add the Java executable directory (the bin folder) to the Windows Path environment variable.

  1. Copy the Bin Path:
    • Click into your new JDK folder (C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14.x.x).
    • Click into the bin folder.
    • Click once in the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window to select the full path. Copy this path (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14.x.x\bin).
  2. Open System Settings: Right-click on This PC on your desktop or file explorer and select Properties.
  3. Access Environment Variables:
    • Click Advanced system settings.
    • In the System Properties window, click the Environment Variables button.
  4. Edit the Path Variable:
    • Under the “System variables” section, find the variable named Path and click Edit.
    • Click New and paste the bin path you copied in step 1.
    • Click OK to close the Path window.

Step 4: Setting the JAVA_HOME Environment Variable

The JAVA_HOME variable is crucial for many development tools (like Maven, Gradle, or IDEs) that rely on knowing the core location of your Java installation.

  1. Create a New System Variable: While still in the Environment Variables window (under “System variables”), click New.
  2. Define the Variable:
    • Variable name: JAVA_HOME (must be all uppercase).
    • Variable value: Paste the path to your JDK folder, but intentionally omit the final \bin part.
      • Example Value: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14.x.x
  3. Click OK to create the variable.
  4. Click OK on the Environment Variables window, and OK again on the System Properties window to apply all changes.

Step 5: Verifying Your openJDK Installation

The final and most satisfying step is checking that everything worked perfectly!

  1. Open Command Prompt (CMD): Click the Start Menu, type cmd, and open the Command Prompt application.

  2. Run the Java Test: Type the following command and press Enter:

    java --version

  3. Check the Output: If the installation was successful, you should see output confirming the version, looking something like this:

    java openjdk 14.x.x [date]
OpenJDK Runtime Environment
...

Success! If you see the openJDK 14 version information, your system is fully configured and ready for Java development.

Conclusion

That was the complete walkthrough on installing and configuring openJDK 14 on Windows 10! By setting both the System Path and the JAVA_HOME variable, you’ve ensured that your entire development environment recognizes and can utilize the power of Java.

If you found this tutorial useful, please hit that Like button and Subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more clear, actionable guides. If you ran into any snags during the installation, drop a comment below—I read every one!

Happy coding!