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Microsoft has a 'Virtual Machine' program that is part of Windows. But you can't do much on the Internet with it - and you surely can't play all of the nice games and and other neat programs on the Internet with it. What you need for Internet game playing is the Java Virtual Machine™.
The Java Virtual Machine™ is free to download and easy to install.
Go to Sun Microsystem's Java Technology. On the right hand side of the screen you will see a column labeled 'Related Links.' Directly under 'Related Links' is a label titled 'Popular Downloads' and directly below that is the first link - the link you need. The link is called - Java VM. One important item, when downloading Java VM MAKE SURE you save it to disk rather than 'open file from current location.' One other thing - if you are still running on Windows 95, you are totally out of luck. Read further down on how you can download an earlier version of Sun Java. (Soon those who use Windows 98 will have the same problem as those who use Windows 95. If you wish to play all of the newest games you need the newest operating system - Windows XP.
Will Java software work with my computer?
Yes. Java software is available for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and UNIX operating systems.
If you are using Windows 95, you cannot use the latest Sun Java Plug-in with this operating system. However, you can use an earlier version of the Java Plug-in, with some limitations. Here is a link to the Windows 95 Help Page. Earlier version with some limitations.
Windows 95 users - Get Java for Windows 95
For the Windows 95 operating system, you must use the 1.3.1_xx version of the Sun JRE. Here is a link to the download page for 1.3.1_xx:
1.3.1_xx version of the Sun JRE
You can download the Windows JRE for U.S. English, or the Windows JRE for all languages, including English. Both of these versions will work on your computer. Make sure you 'Save' the file to your computer, do not choose 'Open' file from its current location.
If you accidentally choose 'Open', you will most likely see a Java Corrupted or Misinstalled error, and your Java installation will fail.
After you are able to successfully install the Sun Java Plug-in, you will see a coffee cup icon in your Windows Control Panel for the Sun Java Plug-in.
So I have to get 1.3.1_xx, but why can't I use the newest version of the Sun Java Plug-in?
The newest Java Plug-in version will not work properly with your operating system. Because Windows 95 is an older operating system, the best and most stable version of the Sun Java Plug-in we can recommend is 1.3.1_xx. This version may not allow you to view some Web sites properly, since some applets may require a newer version of the Java plug-in. While 1.3.1_xx will work with Windows 95, it may not work with newer Java applications.
Why isn't Windows 95 supported?
Windows 95 is an older operating system, and few updates are still being created for it. It's common for new software updates to support only the majority of available operating systems. Plus, Windows 95 is no longer in the majority; it was first released in 1995, 9 years ago this August. You may want to consider upgrading your operating system in the near future.
I've heard the term Java Virtual Machine™ (JVM™). Is this Java software?
The Java Virtual Machine™ is only one aspect of Java software, that is involved in web interaction. The Java Virtual Machine™ is built right into your Java software download, and helps the Sun Java Plug-in run Java applications.
To enable the Java Virtual Machine™ as the default JVM, please refer to Switching between Java Virtual Machine (Java VM) versions
Switching between Virtual Machines
You can switch between the Microsoft VM and the Sun Java™ Virtual Machine. The Sun JRE can be enabled and disabled without having to uninstall it. Switching back and forth between these Virtual Machines can be done through the Advanced tab in your Windows Internet Options Control Panel, OR by using the Java Control Panel. Hint: it's good to check both places.
Instructions for switching between the Microsoft VM and the Sun JVM using Internet Options:
1. Open Control Panel by clicking Start->Settings->Control Panel
2. Open the Internet Options window by double clicking Internet Options
3. Click the Advanced Tab
4. Find the "Java (Sun)" item and check or uncheck the checkbox which says "Use Java 2 v 1.4.x for applet (requires restart)"
5. Check or uncheck the box next to Microsoft VM
6. Save your changes by clicking the OK button
7. Restart the browser
Instructions for switching between the Microsoft VM and the Sun JVM using the Java Control Panel:
1. Open the Windows Control Panel by clicking Start->Settings->Control Panel
2. Open the Java Control Panel by double clicking the icon labeled "Java Plug-in"
3. In the Java Control Panel, click the Browser Tab
4. Under the Browser Tab you will see checkboxes next to installed Web browsers.
5. Check or uncheck the checkbox next to the Web browser you want enable or disable from using the Sun JVM™
6. Click the Apply button to save your settings
7. Restart Internet Explorer
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