Java -version points to wrong directory

Question

I have set my environment variables up. Window 7 - 32 bit

C:\Users\user>java -version
Error: could not open `E:\lib\i386\jvm.cfg'

C:\Users\user>echo %JRE_HOME%
C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin

C:\Users\user>echo %PATH%
C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\;C:\Windows\system32;C:\Windows;C:\Windows\System32\Wbem;C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\;C:\Program Files\jdk1.6.0_22/bin;C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin/bin;C:\Ruby193\bin;C:\Ruby187\bin

C:\Users\user>java -version
Error: could not open `E:\lib\i386\jvm.cfg'

I checked on E: there is nothing on the location. I have JRE7 and jdk1.6.0_22.

Could you please give me solution for this?

I tried to use this solution, Not able to properly set up the path of java in Windows 7 , 64 bit however, while clicking on JAVA present on control panel it is giving me same error message. [ Error: could not open `E:\lib\i386\jvm.cfg']

Answer 1

When you install a JRE, the installer writes a special java.exe in the Windows system directory (ex . C:/winnt/system32/java.exe). This java.exe will look in the registry to get the location of the current JavaHome.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment\CurrentVersion]  (64 bits or 32 bits only)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment\CurrentVersion] (32 bits installed on OS 64 bits)

and then get the path of the JRE for the version marked as current.

For a 32 bits JRE installed on a Windows 64 bits installation :

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment\CurrentVersion] -->  1.8

and then

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment\1.8\JavaHome] --> C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_31

So verify the values in the registry and clean up you PATH because you don't need it to launch java.exe from the command prompt by typing only java.exe.

If your setup is correct, you will be able to override the default JRE without modifying your PATH :

> java -version:"1.6" MyClass  (force the jre 1.6 installed to be used)

The JAVA_HOME and JRE_HOME environment variable are not used by the JRE installed in the "Program Files" with the installer, they are used by convention by IDE, tools or application server.