Difference between java.exe and javaw.exe

Question

Recently I noted that some applications are running on javaw (not in java). What is the difference between them and how can I run my Swing application on javaw?

Soubrette

Similar question and good answer here: https://mcmap.net/q/117276/-what-is-the-difference-between-39-java-39-39-javaw-39-and-39-javaws-39. Note that the question there asks also about javaws.exe, so not technically a duplicate... – Harrumph

Answer 1

java.exe is the command where it waits for application to complete untill it takes the next command. javaw.exe is the command which will not wait for the application to complete. you can go ahead with another commands.

Nica

doesn't javaw.exe also not show console output youtube.com/watch?v=AQUAyJYwJ6Q 0:57 i.imgur.com/TGsm45f.png – Hexylresorcinol

This answer is incorrect. javaw.exe does wait until the program completes. It can be used safely as part of .bat script for example, and it will wait. However, when you manually start non-console programs from cmd.exe, the cmd.exe will not wait and return to command prompt immediately. Try it with notepad.exe vs ping 8.8.8.8 – Whitesmith

Answer 2

java.exe is the console app while javaw.exe is windows app (console-less). You can't have Console with javaw.exe.

Kettie

I'll add that "the console app" here doesn't necessarily mean that "this was run from a console", only that java.exe is allowed to access its console. Running an applet from within a browser on Windows, for example, always uses java.exe even if my Java Control Panel is set to Hide the console window or even Do not start a console window. – Demetriusdemeyer

Following answer seems better to me and has Java documentation references: https://mcmap.net/q/117276/-what-is-the-difference-between-39-java-39-39-javaw-39-and-39-javaws-39 – Harrumph

Answer 3

The difference is in the subsystem that each executable targets.

• java.exe targets the CONSOLE subsystem.
• javaw.exe targets the WINDOWS subsystem.

Mozellamozelle

Answer 4

The javaw.exe command is identical to java.exe, except that with javaw.exe there is no associated console window

Salisbury

Technically more correct: With javaw there is no associated console. The window isn't necessarily created (for example, when you run from an existing console window or completely in background). – Bridewell