How to Install Oracle JDK and Configure VS Code for Java Development

Complete step-by-step guide to install Oracle JDK 17 LTS and set up Visual Studio Code for Java programming with all required extensions and configurations.

🔹 Step-by-Step: Oracle JDK + VS Code Setup

✅ STEP 1: Install Oracle JDK

1️⃣ Download Oracle JDK

👉 https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/

• Choose Java 25 (LTS)
• Download Windows x64 Installer (.exe)
• Accept the license

2️⃣ Install

• Double-click installer
• Click Next → Install → Finish

• Default path (recommended):

  C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-25
  

✅ STEP 2: Verify Oracle JDK Installation

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Run:

java -version

Expected output:

java version "25.x.x"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment

If this works → Oracle JDK is installed correctly ✔️

✅ STEP 3: Set JAVA_HOME (Important)

1️⃣ Open Environment Variables

• Press Win + R

• Type:

  sysdm.cpl
  

• Go to Advanced → Environment Variables

2️⃣ Add JAVA_HOME

• Under System Variables → Click New

  • Variable name:

    JAVA_HOME
    

  • Variable value:

    C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-25.0.2
    

3️⃣ Update PATH

• Select Path → Edit
• Click New

• Add:

  %JAVA_HOME%\bin
  

4️⃣ Click OK → OK

🔁 Close & reopen Command Prompt

Verify again:

javac -version

✔️ Compiler working

✅ STEP 4: Install VS Code

👉 https://code.visualstudio.com

During installation, check these boxes: ✔ Add to PATH ✔ Register Code as an editor

✅ STEP 5: Install Java Extensions in VS Code

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl + Shift + X)
3. Search:

Extension Pack for Java

1. Click Install

📦 Includes:

• Java Language Support
• Debugger for Java
• Maven
• Project Manager

✅ STEP 6: Tell VS Code to Use Oracle JDK

VS Code usually detects it automatically, but let’s be explicit.

1️⃣ Open Settings (JSON)

• Press Ctrl + Shift + P

• Type:

  Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON)
  

2️⃣ Add this:

{
  "java.jdt.ls.java.home": "C:\\Program Files\\Java\\jdk-25.0.2"
}

⚠️ Use double backslashes in Windows paths

Save the file

✅ STEP 7: Create & Run First Java Program

1️⃣ Create Folder

JavaPractice

Open it in VS Code

2️⃣ Create File

HelloWorld.java

3️⃣ Code

public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Oracle JDK + VS Code works!");
    }
}

4️⃣ Run

• Click Run ▶ above main() OR

javac HelloWorld.java
java HelloWorld

🎉 Output:

Oracle JDK + VS Code works!

🔹 Common Issues & Fixes

❌ javac is not recognized

✔ JAVA_HOME not set correctly ✔ PATH not updated ✔ Restart Command Prompt / VS Code

🔹 You’re Now Ready For:

• Java OOP deep dive
• Interfaces & design patterns
• Maven / Gradle projects
• Spring Boot backend