Java Web Start - How to clear cache (or update the app from user's perspective)

Question

After the JNLP gets downloaded in the browser it becomes cached so it doesn't need to be downloaded again, which is good. However, as a consequence, if I update the JAR that the JNLP uses, users will still see the old version of the app that is in the cache.

You can clear the cache by running this in the terminal:

javaws -uninstall

But obviously you could not expect from users to run this when your update is ready. It should be more seamless than that.

One idea is to change the jnlp file name so they download new file, like MyJWS-01.jnlp, to include version numbers.

Is there any other way?

Answer 1

"The update element is used to indicate the preferences for how application updates should be handled by Java Web Start." The default attribute values would seem to "to check for updates until timeout" and "to always download updates without any prompt." For example,

<update check="timeout" policy="always"/>

Are you getting a different result?

Answer 2

You can also use the jnlp property name="jnlp.versionEnabled" and value="true" where you can enter a specific version number for the jar, and that way a new one will be delivered when you release a new version.