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JDK installation on Windows Server 2016

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

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Lightning Fast Setup: How to Install Java JDK on Windows Server 2016 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Hi there, and welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

If you’re working with Java applications, setting up the foundation—the Java Development Kit (JDK)—is the crucial first step. While this tutorial focuses specifically on installing the JDK on Windows Server 2016, the process is seamless and virtually identical for most modern versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and 11.

We’re going to walk through the entire installation, from finding the official download to verifying the completed setup. Let’s get started and get your development environment ready!

Step 1: Locating and Downloading the Java JDK Installer

The first thing we need to do is grab the installer file directly from the source: Oracle.

  1. Open Your Browser: On your Windows Server, open Internet Explorer (or any browser you prefer).
  2. Search for JDK: In your search engine (we used Google), type in “Java JDK.”
  3. Navigate to Oracle: Look for the official link from Oracle, typically titled “Java SE Development Kit Downloads.” Click this link.
  4. Accept the License: On the Oracle downloads page, you will need to scroll down to find the correct version for your operating system. Crucially, you must click to accept the license agreement before proceeding.
  5. Select the Correct Architecture:
    • If you are running Windows Server 2016 (most common), select the Windows 64-bit installer (often labeled as x64).
    • If you are on an older or specific system, select the x86 version (for 32-bit machines).
  6. Download the File: Click the download link. You will be prompted to save the file. Choose a location you can easily access and let the download complete.

Pro Tip: Downloads from Oracle sometimes require a quick login or account creation. If prompted, follow the instructions to secure the download.

Step 2: Running the Installation Wizard

Once the installer file (an executable) has finished downloading, we can kick off the simple setup process.

  1. Run the Installer: Navigate to where you saved the file and double-click the executable to launch the installation wizard. You may need to click ‘Run’ or ‘Yes’ if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).
  2. Start the Setup: The Java Setup window will open. Click Next to begin the process.
  3. Select Components (Default is Best): The installer will prompt you to select components to install. For a standard setup, we recommend leaving the default selections as they are. Click Next again.
  4. Extraction and Progress: The installer will now extract the necessary files and prepare the environment. This should take just a moment.

Step 3: Completing the Setup and Finalizing Paths

The wizard will briefly pause and confirm the installation destination.

  1. Confirm Destination Folder: You will be prompted to confirm the installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk...). Unless you have a specific reason to change it, simply leave the path as the default and click Next.
  2. Install Java: The installation process will now run, copying the files and setting up the environment variables.
  3. Confirmation: When the installation is successful, you will see a message confirming that the Java SE Development Kit has been successfully installed.

Click Close to exit the installation wizard.

Step 4: Verifying the Installation

It’s always a good practice to confirm that your newly installed software is correctly registered in the operating system.

  1. Open Control Panel: Click the Start button, type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
  2. View Programs: In the Control Panel, click on Programs or Uninstall a Program.
  3. Check the List: Scan the list of installed programs. You should see an entry for the Java Development Kit (e.g., “Java SE Development Kit 8”).

If you see this entry, congratulations! The Java Development Kit is fully installed and ready for you to start writing, compiling, and running Java code on your Windows Server 2016 machine.

Ready to Code!

That was a quick, seamless process for setting up the essential foundation for Java development on your Windows server. By following these steps, you’ve ensured that your machine has the necessary tools to compile and execute Java applications.

Did you run into any issues during the install? Or perhaps you have a question about setting up environment variables next? Post your comments below! We love hearing from you and helping solve those tech snags.

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