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Java Runtime Environment for Mac
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Java Runtime Environment for Mac

  -  95.83 MB  -  Freeware
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  • Latest Version

    Java JRE 8 Update 491 LATEST

  • Review by

    Juan Garcia

  • Operating System

    Mac OS X 10.7 or later

  • User Rating

    Click to vote

  • Author / Product

    Oracle / External Link

  • Filename

    jre-8u491-macosx-x64.dmg

  • MD5 Checksum

    fd589b0496393c4b1964f906d219cdb0

Java Runtime Environment for Mac (also known as JRE) is a popular and widely supported software layer that runs on top of a computer's operating system and provides all the necessary resources and software libraries for Java programs to run.

It is a crucial component of the Java Development Kit (JDK), which is used for developing and running Java applications on all modern computer platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

By providing a consistent runtime environment, the JRE enables both novice and seasoned developers to write code once and run it on any platform that supports the JRE, without the need for platform-specific code.

This package combines Java code with the required libraries and creates an instance of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that executes the resulting program.

This all-in-one approach allows all legacy and modern Java programs to run on any operating system without modification, making the JRE an essential cross-platform compatible tool on the modern market.

One of the primary use cases for this software platform is in the development and execution of Java-based applications. This includes web applications, mobile applications, and desktop applications, as well as applets (plugins or extensions) that run inside web browsers.

Main Features
  • Platform-independent runtime environment for Java programs.
  • Integration with the Java Development Kit (JDK).
  • Support for various Java Virtual Machines (JVMs).
  • Dynamic loading of Java classes and resources.
  • Integration with development tools and libraries.
  • Extensive official and community support.
Installation and Setup

To install this app platform on a Mac computer, users must follow the instructions presented by the official installer that are distributed on the official Java.com website or here from the secure FileHorse servers.

Since this package integrates deeply inside the OS and provides crucial app execution code for modern browsers, users are required to have administrator privileges to finish the installation procedure.

Users should also be aware that JRE can only run on 64-bit processors (both Intel and Apple Silicon) and that there is no support for single-user basis installation. The package can only be deployed for all users on a Mac.

How to Use

Once installed, the JRE for macOS can be used to run any Java-based application or applet. This can be done by double-clicking the Java file or by opening a terminal window and navigating to the directory containing the Java program.

Users can then execute the program using the Java command followed by the name of the Java class.

The comprehensive help resources for JRE and other Java components are hosted on the official Java website, with extensive community resources hosted all over the web.

User Interface

This app platform does not have a standalone user interface, as it is designed to run in the background and provide resources for Java programs that request them.

However, it may be accessed through the Java Development Kit (JDK) or other development tools that interact with the JRE.

FAQ

What is Java Runtime Environment?
It’s a software layer that provides the necessary resources for Java programs to run on various operating systems.

Is it safe?
Yes. This is a reliable software package used by dozens of millions of users all around the world on all major computer platforms. However, it is essential to install it only from a trusted source to avoid giving an unreliable installer access to administrative privileges.

Alternatives

Python – A popular programming language that comes with its runtime environment called “PyPy”.

Amazon Corretto – A no-cost, production-ready distribution of OpenJDK that provides long-term support and performance enhancements for running Java applications.

Pricing

This product is available to all users for free. It can be downloaded manually as a standalone package, and it also comes as a part of a Java Development Kit (JDK).

System Requirements

This application environment platform requires minimal system resources and can run on all modern and legacy Macs running macOS 10.7.3 (Lion) for Intel processors and macOS 12 for M-series processors.

JRE is optimized only for 64-bit processors, and it also can’t run inside 32-bit web browsers (64-bit Safari is recommended).

PROS
  • Platform-independent Java applications environment.
  • One of the world’s most popular app software layers.
  • Full integration with the Java Development Kit (JDK).
  • Comprehensive support for various Java Virtual Machines (JVMs).
  • Dynamic loading of Java classes and resources.
  • Integration with external development tools and libraries.
CONS
  • High memory consumption.
  • Java Virtual Machine can impact the performance of weaker Mac hardware.
  • No native GUI.
Conclusion

The Java Runtime Environment for Mac is an essential tool for both developers and general Mac users who work with Java-based applications.

Its ability to provide a consistent runtime environment across various platforms makes it a valuable asset for creating and executing Java programs, and an essential OS and browser component for users who want to experience the full potential of web content.

Note: Requires 64-bit web browser. Administrator privileges for installation.

Also Available: Download Java Runtime Environment for Windows

Download Java Runtime Environment for Mac Latest Version
Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)

  • Java JRE 8 Update 491 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    Java JRE 8 Update 491 Screenshot 1
  • Java JRE 8 Update 491 Screenshot 2
  • Java JRE 8 Update 491 Screenshot 3

What's new in this version:

JDK 8u491 contains IANA time zone data 2026a which contains the following changes since the previous update:
- Several code changes for compatibility with FreeBSD
- The only changed data are leap second table expiration and pre-1976 time in Baja California
- Moldova has used EU transition times since 2022
- The "right" TZif files are no longer installed by default
- -DTZ_RUNTIME_LEAPS=0 disables runtime support for leap seconds
- TZif files are no longer limited to 50 bytes of abbreviations
- zic is no longer limited to 50 leap seconds
- Several integer overflow bugs have been fixed

New Features:
security-libs/java.security ➜ Enhanced keytool Password Handling When Output Is Redirected (JDK-8354469):
- The keytool command reads passwords from the system console to prevent them from being displayed on the screen. However, the console is usually available only when both the standard input and output streams are not redirected. Previously, if the standard output stream was redirected into a file or another command, the console was unavailable and the input password was echoed on the screen. This enhancement improves password handling to ensure that the password is not displayed on the screen even if the standard output stream is redirected. This enhancement has also been made to the jarsigner command and the JAAS TextCallbackHandler API.

security-libs/java.security ➜ Oracle JDK src.zip File Now Includes Source Code for the JSSE/JCE/JGSS Components (JDK-8369608):
- The <java-home>/lib/src.zip file distributed with the Oracle JDK now contains sources for JCE, JGSS, and JSSE. Debugging tools can now examine or display most of the security source files.

security-libs/java.security➜ New Security Property jdk.crypto.disabledAlgorithms for Restricting Algorithms at the JCE layer (JDK-8244336):
- A new security property named jdk.crypto.disabledAlgorithms has been introduced to disable algorithms for JCE/JCA cryptographic services. Initially, this property only supports the Cipher, KeyStore, MessageDigest, and Signature services. This property is defined in the java.security file and initially no algorithms are disabled by default. However, this may change in the future. This security property can be overridden by a system property of the same name if applications need to re-enable algorithms.

Other Notes:
javafx/other ➜ Oracle JDK 8 Includes JavaFX for a Limited Time (JDK-8371301 (not public)):
- JavaFX is again included with JDK 8, although it has a shorter support timeline than JDK 8. Update releases of JDK 8 after March 2028 will not include JavaFX. Visit www.oracle.com/javase/javafx for details.

core-libs/java.net➜ Implementation of java.net.CookieStore.getURIs() and get(URI) Methods Now Return an Immutable List (JDK-8365086):
- The JDK's implementation of the java.net.CookieStore interface has been updated to return an immutable java.util.List from the getURIs() and get(URI) methods. The updated implementation now matches the specification of these two methods.

security-libs/java.security➜ Distrust TLS Server Certificates Anchored by Chunghwa Root Certificates and Issued After March 17, 2026 (JDK-8369282):
- The JDK will stop trusting TLS server certificates issued after March 17, 2026 and anchored by Chunghwa root certificates, in line with similar plans announced by Google and Mozilla.
- TLS server certificates issued on or before March 17, 2026 will continue to be trusted until they expire. Certificates issued after that date, and anchored by the Certificate Authority listed in the table below, will be rejected.
- The restrictions are enforced in the JDK implementation (the SunJSSE Provider) of the Java Secure Socket Extension (JSSE) API. A TLS session will not be negotiated if the server's certificate chain is anchored by any of the Certificate Authorities in the table below and the certificate has been issued after March 17, 2026.

An application will receive an exception with a message indicating the trust anchor is not trusted, for example:
- "TLS Server certificate issued after 2026-03-17 and anchored by a distrusted legacy Chunghwa root CA: OU=ePKI Root Certification Authority, O="Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd." C=TW"
- The JDK can be configured to trust these certificates again by removing "CHUNGHWA_TLS" from the jdk.security.caDistrustPolicies security property in the java.security configuration file.

Fixed:
- JDK-8162545 client-libs/2d Mac build failure
- JDK-8223045 client-libs/2d GraphicsEnvironment does not detect resolution changes in multiscreen systems
- JDK-8373727 client-libs/2d New XBM images parser regression: only the first line of the bitmap array is parsed
- JDK-6899304 client-libs/java.awt java.awt.Toolkit.getScreenInsets(GraphicsConfiguration) returns incorrect values
- JDK-8372756 client-libs/java.awt Mouse additional buttons and horizontal scrolling are broken on XWayland GNOME >= 47 after JDK-8351907
- JDK-8372534 client-libs/java.awt Update Libpng to 1.6.51
- JDK-8372048 client-libs/java.awt Performance improvement on Linux remote desktop
- JDK-8375063 client-libs/java.awt Update Libpng to 1.6.54
- JDK-8372977 client-libs/java.awt Unnecessary gthread-2.0 loading
- JDK-8366261 core-libs/java.io Provide utility methods for sun.security.util.Password
- JDK-8048192 core-libs/java.nio (bf) Out of direct buffer memory message should include the limits
- JDK-8228343 core-svc/tools JCMD and attach fail to work across Linux Container boundary
- JDK-8371052 javafx/media Update libFFI to 3.5.2
- JDK-8377099 javafx/web Additional WebKit 623.1 fixes from WebKitGTK 2.50.4
- JDK-8377930 javafx/web Additional WebKit 623.1 fixes from WebKitGTK 2.50.5
- JDK-8368572 javafx/web Update WebKit to 623.1
- JDK-8380557 javafx/web Additional WebKit 623.1 fixes from WebKitGTK 2.50.6
- JDK-8375549 security-libs/java.security ConcurrentModificationException if jdk.crypto.disabledAlgorithms has multiple entries with known oid
- JDK-8374555 security-libs/java.security No need for visible input warning in s.s.u.Password when not reading from System.in
- JDK-8186831 security-libs/org.ietf.jgss:krb5 Kerberos ignores PA-DATA with a non-null s2kparams
- JDK-8336695 xml/jaxp Update Commons BCEL to Version 6.10.0

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