Possible to have a browser with a dedicated java version ?

Factual Questions
1

I use a Windows 7 machine (64 bit) with Internet Explorer and Chrome as the browsers. The browsers have updated the java versions to the latest automatically.

I have to use a web based application that requires java version 1.6.0_22 and currently it is not possible on this machine. The application refuses to run on this machine - but it runs well on another machine with Windows XP and IE with Java 1.6.

Is it possible for me to install say a browser like firefox or safari with a separate dedicated java 1.6.0_22 on this machine ?

2

You can stick to what you have and not allow updates but Java can be compromised and updating is the best way to keep from getting hacked.

However, you can’t easily drop back…the web based application needs to be updated. Contact whoever runs it and let them know.

Liz

3

I am aware of the hacking vulnerability. It is also not feasible to upgrade the web app.

My question is can I have a dedicated browser with the older version of java. The closest I can think of is to have dual o/s installed. Any better solutions?

4

You can run as many browsers as you want.

I typically use Firefox but can run IE, Opera, Chrome, AND Safari all at the same time …gets cluttered but it can be done. Just don’t close the wrong one by accident.

Liz

5

No. Browsers use a plugin or module to place calls to the Java runtime that’s installed on your machine. So, whatever version of Java you have installed on a given machine is what all browsers on that machine will use.

Your easiest option would be to install 'windows xp mode ', a free download from Microsoft. It’s basically a combination of virtualpc and a windows pc image.

If you’re not familiar with virtualization, it’s a program that pretends to be a physical computer to the operating system you install inside it. Nothing that happens with that virtual OS can affect your real OS.

6

But you can disable it individually in each browser: How to disable Java in IE, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari

7

You can run a Portable browser and use a portable Java with it. You can get both from portableapps.com.

8

True, but they don’t make it easy to find their old versions. You have to go to the Sourceforge page. To make it easier on the OP, here’s a direct link to the download page you’ll need for Java 6 update 22*. You can use the current version of Firefox or Chrome Portable from the website mentioned in the quote above. (I made it a link.)

*I’m not 100% certain that that is the same as 1.6.0_22, but I believe it is.

9

I just remembered that Firefox and Chrome will both disable old versions of Java the first time you use them. Chrome Portable makes this difficult to override, so I recommend using Firefox Portable Edition. After you install both Portable Java and FPE, you’ll need to start Firefox and manually open the Firefox > Addons dialog, click on the Plugins tab on the left, and click Enable button next to Java. Then all should work.

If you have problems, just ask here. Also, I’m now 100% sure that Java 6 Update 22 == Java 1.6.0_22.

10

It is possible to some extent. I have JRE versions 7u9 and 6u14 on my PC. By playing around with “Default Java for Browsers” in the respective javacpl.exe of each version (run it as admin, close browsers first) I have managed to enable Internet Explorer to use the older version. E.g. when I check the Java version at http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp, in IE I get the option of which version of Java to use. Chrome and Firefox use the newer version. I don’t know how to control that, short of hacking about in the registry.