Java update

[Suradit69]

Yesterday a notice popped up that there was a Java update available, so I clicked OK. It wanted me to change browsers, which I vetoed.

It downloaded and installed with no problem, but I did get a warning from Chrome that there were incompatibilities.

Then I tried to open an Excel worksheet (legitimate, licensed, paid for Office 2016) and I get a message that MS couldn't verify that the program was licensed and was shutting down. Same with Word. Tried restarting the program and rebooting the computer. Same problem. I was locked out of MS Office.

So I did a restore to a point before Java update was installed. Office once again opened with no problem.

Then a little later a black screen appeared announcing that some component of Java was missing and the computer completely froze. Had to reboot again and then uninstalled the Java update.

Things seem to have returned to normal.

Not sure exactly what caused all the problems. The update appeared to be legitimate. Malwarebytes didn't object to it or give any warning.

Not even sure I need Java? Do I?

Edited July 23, 2016 by Suradit69

[tifino]

I had similar, and did similar...

...now, I cannot install Java without the subsequent updates always failing now...

[Chicog]

You may have installed a dodgy program masquerading as a Java update.

Java is included with Chrome (for now), so why do you need to download it at all?

[Pib]

I got that pop up notice yesterday, but didn't get around to installed the Java update until today. The update went OK....went as normal...I have a Lenovo laptop running Win 10. I then checked my Outlook, Word, and Excel 2016 afterwards and they worked fine.

Chrome is my default browser although I also use IE and Edge. I install Java just for use with IE and I guess Edge.

Anyway, whenever you install a Java update with Chrome as your default browser the Java update should still install but that very last step where Java will take you to their website to "verify the install/ensure you have the latest Java update," Java will use your default browser.

So when it goes to their verification page you get an error type message saying Chrome does not support Java. That's because Chrome uses it own version of Java...see below Java webpage for more info on that subject.

http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/chrome.xml

But what I do is cut and paste the webpage Java went to in Chrome over into IE to let IE open that page instead. Then you can run the verification which usually takes a few seconds and if everything is fine you see this message. And all the verification is doing is doubling checking if you have the latest version; not if it totally works with your computer and all associated programs you have installed. Plus you can go to your Windows Programs area to see the Java install and of course uninstall it from there if desired.

[Chicog]

Java is a pile of crap. It's bad enough that it's still included in browsers without you installing it standalone.

Get rid unless you absolutely need it.

[bendejo]

I stopped keeping track of this some years ago, but last I heard you'd have a better chance of spotting a crucifix in a synagogue than find an MS program (especially Office) making use of Java (but I would think their browsers accommodate JS from websites). That update they suckered you into installing is probably some sort of malware. I would suggest doing a full restore of your C: drive if possible, even if there is some inconvenience.

Edited July 23, 2016 by bendejo

[donnybay]

Java! that tries to get you to download Mcafee the worst and most intrusive anti virus on the planet, please someone come up with something better

[Oxx]

(1) Chrome no longer supports NPAPI, so will no longer work with the Java plugin. If you have to have Java support in your browser (which is very unlikely - I can only think of page on the Internet that I've encountered for years that requires it), use a different browser.

(2) The Excel worksheet problem is completely unrelated to Java. Excel simply doesn't use Java. (LibreOffice/OpenOffice, however, do.)

[Suradit69]

Java is a pile of crap. It's bad enough that it's still included in browsers without you installing it standalone.

Get rid unless you absolutely need it.

That's what I was wondering. I use Chrome as my default browser. If I don't need it as a standalone program, and apparently I don't, I'd rather not add something that creates potential conflicts.

[Suradit69]

I stopped keeping track of this some years ago, but last I heard you'd have a better chance of spotting a crucifix in a synagogue than find an MS program (especially Office) making use of Java (but I would think their browsers accommodate JS from websites). That update they suckered you into installing is probably some sort of malware. I would suggest doing a full restore of your C: drive if possible, even if there is some inconvenience.

Well for some reason after installing the Java update, Office programs claimed I wasn't licensed to use them and refused to run, and then after I did the restore to a point before the update everything was OK again. It wasn't a case of them not working properly, they refused to open because I supposedly wasn't entitled to use the program on this computer ... even though I had bought Office and downloaded it from the MS Store and have been using it for months. No problem after the restore.

I wouldn't claim to have a clue as to why, but that's what happened. Whatever the reason, I'll ignore any further requests from Java to update.

I've also become leery of iTunes updates on my PC or IOS updates on my elderly iPad since on a few occasions they've managed to wreak havoc too.

Edited July 24, 2016 by Suradit69

[Chicog]

I stopped keeping track of this some years ago, but last I heard you'd have a better chance of spotting a crucifix in a synagogue than find an MS program (especially Office) making use of Java (but I would think their browsers accommodate JS from websites). That update they suckered you into installing is probably some sort of malware. I would suggest doing a full restore of your C: drive if possible, even if there is some inconvenience.

Well for some reason after installing the Java update, Office programs claimed I wasn't licensed to use them and refused to run, and then after I did the restore to a point before the update everything was OK again. It wasn't a case of them not working properly, they refused to open because I supposedly wasn't entitled to use the program on this computer ... even though I had bought Office and downloaded it from the MS Store and have been using it for months. No problem after the restore.

I wouldn't claim to have a clue as to why, but that's what happened. Whatever the reason, I'll ignore any further requests from Java to update.

I would question why you're even getting such requests, unless you clicked on a pop up.

Use a popup blocker and run Spybot and Adaware if you are so inclined. Can't hurt.

[Oxx]

Whatever the reason, I'll ignore any further requests from Java to update.

Better still, uninstall the Java plugin (Google for how to do that - it's straightforward) and you won't get any further requests.

[Chicog]

Whatever the reason, I'll ignore any further requests from Java to update.

Better still, uninstall the Java plugin (Google for how to do that - it's straightforward) and you won't get any further requests.

But is there even any evidence that it's installed?

One way would be to check Startup items and see if the Java Update Checker is there.

If it isn't, he clicked on a malicious link.