Java is a very popular programming language which provides a different component in order to run, develop Java applications. JRE or Java Runtime Environment is used to run Java application. JDK or Java Development Kit is used to develop Java applications. In this tutorial, we will learn how to set up Java, JRE, and JDK operating system path variables in order to work properly.

Locate JRE or JDK Path

Before starting the configuration we have to locate the JRE or JDK path. JRE or JDK generally installed on the Program Files or Program Files(x86) directory under the Java directory like below.

and under the Java directory the JDK is residing.

Set Java HOME_PATH Environment Variable

Now we have learned the path of the Java, JRE or JDK installation. We can set this path as Java HOME_PATH environment variable. We will open the computer properties with by running sysdm.cpl in the Run menu like below. We can also open it from the File Explorer -> Computer -> Right Click.

In the system properties, we will navigate to the Advanced tab which provides the Environment Variables button like below.

Below we can see the environment variables menu where we will create the JAVA_HOME system variable and set the path accordingly. We click to the New in order to create a new system variable.

Here we will set the Variable Name as JAVA_HOME and the Variable Value the path or Java, JRE or JDK which is C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-12 in this example. Then we will click OK.

Set JAVA Executable Path

If we want to run java.exe or similar executables provided by JRE or JDK we have to add the path of Java in the Path variable like below. We select the system variable named Path and click to the Edit.

Here we click to New which will add a new line to the existing values.

Here we will set the bin folder path which is C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-12\bin in this example.

Then we will click OK and OK in the environment variables screen which will save and activated new path configuration.

Check Java Is Working

We can check the new path configuration simply opening a new command line interface MS-DOS. Then just type java -version which will execute java.exe with the -version option. We can see the current java binary version by running it.