I have just removed Java 8 SE from my computer. I wrote a blog post a while back about how Oracle was changing the way it licenses the Java virtual machine 8 Standard Edition (SE). You can read it here: SAP JVM and the Oracle Java SE 8 Licensing Confusion
At the time of the post, it was not very clear how the license changes were going to impact the use of the Java 8 SE virtual machine.
What’s Changed?
Briefly, at the end of January 2019, Oracle have essentially now stopped free updates to the Java 8 SE for non-personal customers. This means that you as a personal user can continue to update Java 8 SE, but as a corporate user you may only apply updates to Java 8 SE if you have purchased a subscription to receive the updates.
I’m a Corporate User
If you are a corporate user of the Oracle 8 SE, unless you have a subscription, you can no longer update Java 8 SE. If you wish to remain secure and remove security risks from your computers, you should de-install it if you do not want to purchase a subscription from Oracle. If you do not uninstall Java 8 SE, but continue to update it, and you are audited by Oracle, then you may need to pay for a subscription.
Can Oracle Audit Me?
The Java 8 SE auto-update application now displays a prompt on machines that have the auto-update enabled and that have an internet connection. If you choose to “Install” (you already have it installed) then at that point Oracle deem that you have accepted the license agreement and they can audit your company for the use of Oracle products.
How Do I Remove Java 8 SE?
For me it was easy. My Java 8 SE installation has the auto-update function enabled, so it simply told me the license terms had changed and offered me the button to simply remove it. So I did.
You may need to uninstall it from within the Windows program uninstallation tool within Windows Control Panel. Your IT teams may have already started the removal process automatically.
What If I Need an Up-to-date Java 8 VM?
If you need a Java 8 JVM, you can move to an open source version of Java, such as OpenJDK, or a number of others. For SAP customers wanting to run their SAP tools, you can actually use the SAPJVM for use with your SAP tools such as SAP Software Download Manager, SAP HANA Studio, SAP ABAP tools on Eclipse and other Java based tools.
How Do I Download SAPJVM?
Downloading the SAPJVM is simple. Take a look at SAP note 1442124 “How to download a SAP JVM patch from the SMP”.
References:
https://www.it-implementor.co.uk/2019/01/sap-jvm-and-oracle-java-se-8-licensing.html https://blogs.oracle.com/java-platform-group/extension-of-oracle-java-se-8-public-updates-and-java-web-start-support upperedge.com/oracle/top-3-reasons-oracle-java-users-are-unknowingly-out-of-compliance/ www.oracle.com/downloads/licenses/binary-code-license.html www.oracle.com/downloads/licenses/javase-license1.html www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/terms/oaa.html