Cannot run Java from the Windows PowerShell command prompt

Question

I have Java installed on my machine (the JRE is under C:\Program Files\Java) but I can't run any java command from the Windows PowerShell command prompt.

>>> java -version
java : The term 'java' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check
the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:1
+ java
+ ~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (java:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

However, I have noticed that Java does work and that I can run Java commands on the old Windows command prompt. Turns out it's only PowerShell where I can't run those commands.

I have JRE 7 and I'm using Windows PowerShell on Windows 8.

Have you set `%JAVA_HOME%/bin` in `PATH`? – Rahul Bobhate May 29 '13 at 10:21 — Rahul Bobhate, May 29 '13 at 10:21
You need to add Java to your system path. – MD Sayem Ahmed May 29 '13 at 10:22 — MD Sayem Ahmed, May 29 '13 at 10:22

score 11 · Answer 1 · edited Aug 31 '21 at 18:22

11

Make 2 environment variable changes:

Add a JAVA_HOME variable equal to something like: C:\Java\JDK1.7.0_25_x64
Add %JAVA_HOME%\bin to the beginning of your PATH variable.

Then, start a brand new shell to see if the changes were applied.

edited Aug 31 '21 at 18:22

i_want_more_edits

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answered Aug 29 '13 at 17:35

djangofan

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thanks, for others, do not miss step 2 where bin is important. It worked – swapyonubuntu Feb 07 '23 at 05:20

Sri Harsha Chilakapati · Answer 2 · 2013-05-29T10:50:54.113

6

In the run dialog box, enter sysdm.cpl
In the window that came up, navigate to Advanced tab. Click on the Environment Variables button.
Add the location of your java installation (the bin directory) to the PATH variable.
```
;%ProgramFiles%/Java/jre%version%/bin
```
followed by a ;

Note:

%version% means the java version.

edited May 29 '13 at 10:50

answered May 29 '13 at 10:36

Sri Harsha Chilakapati

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score 3 · Answer 3 · answered May 29 '13 at 10:26

3

You need to modify your "PATH" environment variable to add your "java" bin location, one way via command prompt set path=%path%;<your java bin location>;

But this will be set only for your current session of your terminal.

answered May 29 '13 at 10:26

Sajan Chandran

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score 2 · Answer 4 · edited Dec 27 '14 at 01:42

2

You need to set the Java class path:

Reference:

How to set class path?

Or:

Link-2: How to set class path?

edited Dec 27 '14 at 01:42

Peter Mortensen

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answered May 29 '13 at 10:27

Butani Vijay

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score 1 · Answer 5 · edited Jun 23 '19 at 15:45

1

Add it to C:/Program Files/Java/jre7/bin added to the classpath environment variable.

edited Jun 23 '19 at 15:45

double-beep

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answered May 29 '13 at 10:22

Gyan

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Thanks. I needed back slashes for my Windows 10 system. Also the path for me was a little different due to the time that has passed since your post. – CaptainGenesisX Dec 02 '20 at 19:16
sure that you need the `/bin` folder and not `/lib`? [Reference Link](https://www.roseindia.net/java/java-classpath.shtml) – Cadoiz Aug 31 '21 at 14:17

score 1 · Answer 6 · edited Dec 27 '14 at 01:44

If the environment variable is set or you have sourced the environment appropriately, the issue is executing a file in a shell:

javac .\HelloWorld.java      //That is a file, so it can be ./

java HelloWorld              //Not the correct file name, so it will not execute, and so must call it as in MSDOS

You cannot .\ on the HelloWorld.class as the Java bytecode must be executed without the extension, .\ is for file execution.

Cedric Reichenbach · Answer 7 · 2019-10-28T11:51:53.717

1

If it works in cmd, but not in PowerShell, your JDK path entry might be in quotes.

As described in an answer to another question, go to system variables, edit the raw text of Path and simply remove the quotes.

edited Oct 28 '19 at 11:51

answered Feb 03 '18 at 20:14

Cedric Reichenbach

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score 1 · Answer 8 · edited Aug 31 '21 at 16:17

1

I fixed this problem by reinstalling Git-2.8.2-64-bit.exe and following these instructions! https://learn.adafruit.com/windows-tools-for-the-electrical-engineer/git-plus-command-line-tools

I then added the code mentioned above c:\Program Files\Java\jdk-11.0.3\bin

by navigating to control panel /system/Advanced tab
Click on "Environment Variables" then "system's variables"
and looked for Path to edited and
then added c:\Program Files\Java\jdk-11.0.3\bin

After that, all is working for me now in a Windows PowerShell and also a MinGW64! See images of it working:

edited Aug 31 '21 at 16:17

i_want_more_edits

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answered Jun 23 '19 at 17:28

Dave

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Unfortunately, the edit queue seems to be full - Paths are better readable when formatted as code `C:\my_example\path` – Cadoiz Aug 31 '21 at 09:03

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered May 29 '13 at 10:34

0

If it works in the regular shell but not in PowerShell, maybe you had PowerShell open when you installed or set your path and you just need to close PowerShell and reopen a new one to pick up the new path.

answered May 29 '13 at 10:34

rzakrzewski

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score 0 · Answer 10 · answered Jun 21 '21 at 06:37

0

If this occurs while running the script, edit the value for JAVA_HOME inside script.

example: [string] $java_home = "C:\env\java\jdk-1.8.0.222",

answered Jun 21 '21 at 06:37

Codeninja

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score 0 · Answer 11 · answered Mar 23 '22 at 10:55

0

My issue was that I had to restart my terminal, it worked after that.

I hope this helps to anyone with my same issue

answered Mar 23 '22 at 10:55

Kevin Oswaldo

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Cannot run Java from the Windows PowerShell command prompt

11 Answers11

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