Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Uninstalling Java 6?

TheChemist

TheChemist

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 25, 2006
179
56
Good morning,

I installed Java for OSX 2015-001 to run one app, which I no longer need to use. How would I go about uninstalling this older version of Java ?

Thanks!
 
go to java.com and go to there faq section and they can tell you how to remove java
 
The support document I came across is pertinent to Java 7 and 8. Will this be appropriate for 2015-001?
 
There is no official way, I think. The problem is that the installation of Java 6 is provided by Apple through a system update. There are some suggestions though and I used this in the past as well. A backup would be advisable nonetheless.

I'm curious though, when you run the following command, is there another bundle besides JavaEssentials and JavaTools that has Java in its name? Perhaps we can find out what was installed in the first place.
Code: 
pkgutil --packages | grep -i java
 
Kallt,

Thanks for chiming in on the matter. I followed the instruction on the Java.com site. I ran the command you offered and here is the terminal response.

com.apple.pkg.JavaEssentials

com.apple.pkg.JavaForMacOSX107

com.apple.pkg.JavaMDNS

com.apple.pkg.JavaSecurity

com.apple.pkg.JavaSecurity

Thoughts?
 
TheChemist said:
Kallt,

Thanks for chiming in on the matter. I followed the instruction on the Java.com site. I ran the command you offered and here is the terminal response.

com.apple.pkg.JavaEssentials

com.apple.pkg.JavaForMacOSX107

com.apple.pkg.JavaMDNS

com.apple.pkg.JavaSecurity

com.apple.pkg.JavaSecurity

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Well, that at least confirms that there are package lists available. You can see per bundle where it installed files. My guess is that JavaForMacOSX107 and JavaSecurity are the ones you should look at. Example:
Code: 
pkgutil --files com.apple.pkg.JavaForMacOSX107 -v

However, this is probably overwhelming and not really helpful. But it can give you an idea in which directories the files are. If you followed the steps in the link I gave you, then typing the following command should tell you whether Java is still there or not. There isn't much else you can do, as it requires messing with system directories. My hope is that this Java messiness will finally end when OS X 10.12 arrives, which was confirmed to no longer support Java 6 (and will probably migrate the code away).
Code: 
java
 
The only reliable way to remove the Apple supplied copy of Java SE 6, is to upgrade or reinstall OS X.

But, in the meantime it is possible to stop it from working.
Go to /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines

In that folder should be a folder named something like "1.6.0.jdk".
Drag the "1.6.0.jdk" folder to the trash.

Without these primary runtime files, Java SE 6 won't work.
You may also want to remove "JavaAppletPlugin.plugin" from /Library/Internet Plug-Ins
 
The best way I think is to time machine your current system, then restore it from the time machine. According to my experience, time machine does not backup the java part.
 
zhaoxin said:
The best way I think is to time machine your current system, then restore it from the time machine. According to my experience, time machine does not backup the java part.
Click to expand...
No.
A time machine backup is going to include anything in the Library folder at the time of the backup, that includes Java if it is installed.

A backup and restore in this case is not only an extreme overkill procedure, it is also a pointless waste of time.
Potentially hours worth of time would be wasted backing up, erasing, reinstalling and restoring, only to be back at square one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KALLT
I deleted the "offensive" folder, rebooted and all is well. Hopefully I can elicit both of your help on a new thread I'm about to start regarding EtreCheck.

Thanks again!
 
beebarb said:
No.
A time machine backup is going to include anything in the Library folder at the time of the backup, that includes Java if it is installed.

A backup and restore in this case is not only an extreme overkill procedure, it is also a pointless waste of time.
Potentially hours worth of time would be wasted backing up, erasing, reinstalling and restoring, only to be back at square one.
Click to expand...

I don't know if you have done a test. Every time I restore from time machine, the system will tells me that I don't have java installed. Actually, the apple's java 6 is some kind being catalogued as runtime, which is not restore by time machine anytime.

It is easier saying than done. Just have a try and you will know I am right.
 
@zhaoxin
"Just have a try and you will know I am right." HA...HA...NO.
It's not that simple.

Many of the files I use are too large and modified too frequently for an automated backup system to handle.
Having it turned on would make working with my system virtually impossible.

I can't afford the downtime required for time machine to backup those files even once.

As I have observed by reading other cases, it seems likely that I am possibly the one correct here.
People have had all sorts of kernel extensions, startup items, preference panes, etc. from the Library folders resurface after a Time Machine restore.

Unless you specifically tell it not to, it will back up everything.

But, regardless of who is actually right or not, I honestly don't care.
The OP's problem was SOLVED.

There does not need to be any more discussion on this matter.
 
Last edited:
zhaoxin said:
I don't know if you have done a test. Every time I restore from time machine, the system will tells me that I don't have java installed. Actually, the apple's java 6 is some kind being catalogued as runtime, which is not restore by time machine anytime.

It is easier saying than done. Just have a try and you will know I am right.
Click to expand...

Are you sure you restored the entire backup and not used Migration Assistent with the Time Machine backup as the basis? Time Machine restores pretty much everything. The point of it is to restore the system as it was in that exact point of time without you having to worry about losing or breaking stuff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back