Will the auto-update function in Java 8 (JRE) automatic update to Java 9 on 21.9.2017?

Question

We have a client side webstart application that is not yet ready for Java 9, it's rather unclear what will happen on 21.9.2017 with the auto-update option in the jRE.

If you have the latest Java 8 version with the auto-update enabled. Will version 9 be pushed to the client? Is disabling the auto-update function the only option to prevent this or will the auto-update only look for new versions of java 8?

Answer 1

Will version 9 be pushed to the client?

No.

New Java versions take some time to percolate to unsuspecting users:

• Even after the GA release of Java 9 will Java 8 remain the default download option at Java SE Downloads for about six months. (Turns out that was wrong.)
• Java 8 will receive further public updates until at least September 2018.
• Only when that time window draws to a close and Oracle published its official "end of public updates notice" will hesitant users have to consider switching to Java 9.
• A few months before the end of public support will the auto-updater propose an update to Java 9, but it will require user permission. (At least that's how it worked between Java 7 and 8).

Answer 2

Disabling auto update is not required, and is actually counter productive.

Keep in mind that people have legitimate reasons to continue using JREs or JDKs for Java 8 (probably several years into the future).

It is very much the same as with previous major releases of Java: ideally you plan about moving forward at some time - but there is absolutely no side forcing you when to make that move.

We started using Java 8 for production like 12 months ago - and we still have products out in the field that run on Java 6.

In that sense:

• you educate yourself about the changes that Java9 is offering
• you mainly identify a "path forward" for your deliveries around the new module system
• you start experimenting with Java9 at some point ...

and then, when you decide "we are ready" - then you move forward.