How To Disable Java In All Web Browsers

Here is how to disable Java in all web browsers. It used to be difficult and time consuming to disable Java on a per-browser basis but that changed a few years ago with Java 7.

All modern versions of Java include a Security Panel, making it easy to disable in all web browsers.

Why Disable Java In All Web Browsers?

I have long been critical of Java security and have advised uninstalling it wherever possible, because it is so often targeted by malware infected websites.

However, some users may require Java for offline applications e.g. LibreOffice or business apps so can’t just uninstall it completely.

Preventing any Java application from running in web browsers does not affect standalone (non-browser) Java functionality such as that used by advanced features in LibreOffice.

This provides the best of both worlds – better security while web browsing but you are still able to use Java offline.

How To Disable Java In All Web Browsers

  • First, close all web browsers then click ‘Start’ then type Java into the Search box
  • Select the ‘Configure Java’ program or app that appears in the search results to open the Java Control Panel
  • Now select the ‘Security’ tab of the Java Control Panel and Un-tick ‘Enable Java content for browser and Web Start applications’ as shown below:
disable java in web browsers
Java content disabled for browsers

Now press ‘OK’ to finish – this will disable Java in all web browsers

If you want to check that Java is disabled, visit the Java test page here from each web browser – click the ‘Agree and Continue’ button and if Java is disabled you should see a message “If the uninstall applet does not appear within a minute Java may be disabled in the browser”.

How To Increase Java Security In All Web Browsers

If you must leave Java enabled in browsers you can still adjust the Security Level for better security.

Follow the previous steps above to open the Security tab of the Java Control Panel then choose Very High as the ‘Security level for applications not on the Exception Site list’.

Very High means that you will be prompted before any Java app runs in the browser and unsigned apps or those with unverified certificates will not run.

How To Disable Java In A Single Browser

If you do not want to disable Java for all browsers, it is still possible to disable it per browser.

Java is already disabled in Google Chrome and in Firefox.

There is no way to disable Java fully in IE – our guide here gives advanced methods to partially disable it but there is still a risk that a webpage can bypass those restrictions.

Conclusion

While some people may need to use Java for offline apps, there is a simple way to disable Java from running in web browsers, the source of most vulnerabilities.

The revised Security Levels also make it easier to strengthen security if running Java within IE or other browsers.

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