Purpose

This document provides information about changes in how Protect will install Java 7 updates after recent changes to installation logic.

Description

Shavlik has adopted Oracle’s Java 8 installation patch pattern, where they statically install the patch and delete all previous versions after the patch has been installed. Currently, we have determined this is the most reliable way to install Java. This handles Java locked and not locked scenarios affecting customer’s environment.

Protect deployments of Java will now be using an install directory similar to how Java does with Java 8 (modified from Java 7 original install directory). Java 7 will be put installed with the same directory structure as Java 8, such as:

C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.8.0_31

C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_31

This is because deployment via Protect uses a dependent action that uses some additional steps to ensure Java is successfully installed.

Additional Information

Typically, applications use the environment in order to determine what version (latest version) Java to use. If you need a particular path, you can try creating a soft/symbolic link that points to the version of Java you want.

How to create symbolic links: Mklink.

Caveat: You will have to update the soft link with every Java 7 release.

Affected Product(s)

Shavlik Protect, All Versions