This page last changed on Nov 20, 2006 by david.soul@atlassian.com.
After you install the Java Development Kit in Windows, you must set the JAVA_HOME variable to the install directory.
 | Common Problem
Some users have only installed the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). You need either a Java Development Kit (JDK) or J2SE Software Development Kit (SDK). If you would like to confirm that you have the right version, you can check the Java install path. Unless you changed the path during installation, Java will be installed to a subdirectory under C:\Program Files\Java, for example C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_02
Open C:\Program Files\Java and confirm the install path is for a JDK or SDK. JRE installs are not suitable, and have an install directory begining with jre. The numbers after the jre are not relevant. Example JREs are:
jre1.3.0_02
jre1.4.0_02
SDK and JDK installs are suitable. Their install directory begins with jdk or j2sdk, the numbers after are not relevant. Example JDK and SDKs are:
jdk1.5.0_02
j2sdk1.5.0_09
Any install directory starting with jdk or j2sdk is valid. If you cannot see an installed JDK or SDK, install the JDK now from the JDK download site |
Stage 1. Locate Install Directory
If you already know the install path for the Java or Software Development Kit, go to Stage 2. Otherwise, find the install path by following these instructions:
- Unless you changed the install path for the Java Developement Kit during installation, it will be in a directory under C:\Program Files\Java. Using Explorer, open the directory C:\Program Files\Java
- Inside that path will be one or more subdirectories such as jdk1.5.0_08. If you just installed the Java Development Kit, it will be installed to the newest directory, which you can find by sorting by date. For example, it may be installed in C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_08. This is the install path.
Stage 2. Apply Setting
Once you have identified the JDK install path:
- Right click on the My Computer icon on your desktop and select properties
- Click the Advanced Tab
- Click the Environment Variables button
- Under System Variable, click New
- Enter the variable name as JAVA_HOME
- Enter the variable value as the install path for the Development Kit
- Click OK
- Click Apply Changes
- If you are running Confluence as a EAR/WAR rather than the Standalone, you may need to restart your application server
This diagram shows setting the JAVA_HOME variable to an install path of c:/j2sdk1.4.2

If you came here from Installing Confluence Standalone, go back and begin Stage 3.
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