Java for OS X 2014-001: How to re-enable the Apple-provided Java SE 6 web plug-in and Web Start features

Learn how to re-enable the Apple-provided Java SE 6 Java SE 6 web plug-in and Web Start features in OS X Lion and later.

If, after installing Java for OS X 2014-001 and the latest version of Java 7 from Oracle, you want to disable Java 7 and re-enable the Apple-provided Java SE 6 web plug-in and Web Start functionality, follow these steps.

Note: You must be logged in as an administrator. If prompted for your administrator password after a command, enter it and then press the Return or Enter key.

  1. Open Terminal, located in the Utilities folder.
  2. Enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key: 
    sudo mkdir -p /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/disabled 
  3. Enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key:
    sudo mv /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/disabled
  4. Enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key:
    sudo ln -sf /System/Library/Java/Support/Deploy.bundle/Contents/Resources/JavaPlugin2_NPAPI.plugin /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin 
  5. To re-enable Java SE 6 Web Start, enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key:
    sudo ln -sf /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Commands/javaws /usr/bin/javaws

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The following steps will undo the above commands and restore Java 7 in OS X Lion and later.

  1. Disable Java SE 6 Web Start opening:
    • Enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key:
      • sudo ln -sf /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/Current/Commands/javaws /usr/bin/javaws
    • When prompted, enter your administrator password, then press the Return or Enter key.
  2. Re-enable the Java 7 applet plug-in by downloading and reinstalling the latest version of Oracle Java 7 JRE.

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