Setting the correct PATH for Eclipse

I recently changed my path so I could follow along in the Head First Java book and I had Eclipse before. Now when I try to get onto Eclipse again it won't open because it says it can't find a JRE or JDK to use in my directory. I have moved the JDK file around. I have jdk1.8.0_60 downloaded. So how can I get Eclipse to open again?

Like Abob said:

Eclipse doesn't consult the JAVA_HOME variable

You should specify where Eclipse should find your JDK in the file eclipse.ini. Specifically, the following parameter (note that it is 2 separate lines in the ini file):

-vm
C:\Java\JDK\1.8\bin\javaw.exe

or wherever your javaw.exe happens to be.

Note: The format of the ini file is very particular; make sure to consult https://wiki.eclipse.org/Eclipse.ini to ensure you get it exactly right.

Eclipse folder has an initialization file which is used by eclipse on launch/Double click it is named as eclipse.ini. Add the following lines in eclipse.ini file. Where the vm defines the path of JVM with which we want eclipse to use.

-vm
C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8\bin\javaw.exe

Make sure you have add the above lines separately and above the following line

--launcher.appendVmargs
-vmargs

Go to System Properties > Advanced > Enviroment Variables and look under System variables

First, create/set your JAVA_HOME variable

Even though Eclipse doesn't consult the JAVA_HOME variable, it's still a good idea to set it. See How do I run Eclipse? for more information.

If you have not created and/or do not see JAVA_HOME under the list of System variables, do the following:

1. Click New... at the very bottom
2. For Variable name, type JAVA_HOME exactly
3. For Variable value, this could be different depending on what bits your computer and java are.
   • If both your computer and java are 64-bit, type C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60
   • If both your computer and java are 32-bit, type C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60
   • If your computer is 64-bit, but your java is 32-bit, type C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_60

If you have created and/or do see JAVA_HOME, do the following:

1. Click on the row under System variables that you see JAVA_HOME in
2. Click Edit... at the very bottom
3. For Variable value, change it to what was stated in #3 above based on java's and your computer's bits. To repeat:
   • If both your computer and java are 64-bit, change it to C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60
   • If both your computer and java are 32-bit, change it to C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60
   • If your computer is 64-bit, but your java is 32-bit, change it to C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_60

Next, add to your PATH variable

1. Click on the row under System variables with PATH in it
2. Click Edit... at the very bottom
3. If you have a newer version of windows:
   • Click New
   • Type in C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_60 OR C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60 depending on the bits of your computer and java (see above ^).
   • Press Enter and Click New again.
   • Type in C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_60\jre OR C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60\jre depending on the bits of your computer and java (see above again ^).
   • Press Enter and press OK on all of the related windows
4. If you have an older version of windows
   • In the Variable value textbox (or something similar) drag the cursor all the way to the very end
   • Add a semicolon (;) if there isn't one already
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_60 OR C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60
   • Add another semicolon (;)
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_60\jre OR C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60\jre

Changing eclipse.ini

1. Find your eclipse.ini file and copy-paste it in the same directory (should be named eclipse(1).ini)
2. Rename eclipse.ini to eclipse.ini.old just in case something goes wrong
3. Rename eclipse(1).ini to eclipse.ini

4. Open your newly-renamed eclipse.ini and replace all of it with this:

   -startup
   plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.2.0.v20110502.jar
   --launcher.library
   plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.win32.win32.x86_1.1.100.v20110502
   -product
   org.eclipse.epp.package.java.product
   --launcher.defaultAction
   openFile
   --launcher.XXMaxPermSize
   256M
   -showsplash
   org.eclipse.platform
   --launcher.XXMaxPermSize
   256m
   --launcher.defaultAction
   openFile
   -vm
   C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_60\bin\javaw.exe
   -vmargs
   -Dosgi.requiredJavaVersion=1.5
   -Xms40m
   -Xmx1024m
   

XXMaxPermSize may be deprecated, so it might not work. If eclipse still does not launch, do the following:

1. Delete the newer eclipse.ini
2. Rename eclipse.ini.old to eclipse.ini
3. Open command prompt
4. type in eclipse -vm C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_60\bin\javaw.exe

If the problem remains

Try updating your eclipse and java to the latest version. 8u60 (1.8.0_60) is not the latest version of java. Sometimes, the latest version of java doesn't work with older versions of eclipse and vice versa. Otherwise, leave a comment if you're still having problems. You could also try a fresh reinstallation of Java.