How can I install NetBeans IDE 6.0 (6.0.1, 6.1) on a 64-bit Windows?

Problem:

There are some known problems when installing NetBeans IDE 6.0 on 64-bit Windows. E.g. it cannot identify where the 64-bit JVM is installed. It can, however, find and run on 32-bit JVM.

Solution:

JDK5 and JDK6 are available as a 32-bit and a 64-bit version. The current NetBeans installer is a 32bit application and it does not automatically find the 64-bit JVM.

There are four alternatives how to install:

• Don't use the NetBeans installer, but download the .zip file
• Run netbeans-6.0-windows.exe --javahome <path-to64bit-java> and give the path explicitly.
• Run netbeans-6.0-windows.exe --extract and then run the extracted bundle.jar file manually.
• Use the 32bit JDK to run the installer: If it is installed then installer should be able to find it automatically.

Note: You can use the 64bit JDK to run the NetBeans IDE. You do not need a special 64-bit version of the IDE! The problem is only with this version of the NetBeans installer.

Applies to: NetBeans 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.1

Platforms: Windows XP 64-bit, Windows vista 64-bit, windows 2003 server 64-bit

How can I install NetBeans IDE 5.5 on a 64-bit Windows?

Problem:

There are some known problems when installing NetBeans IDE 5.5 on 64-bit Windows. E.g. it cannot identify that the correct JVM is installed.

Solution:

JDK 6 is available as a 32-bit and a 64-bit version. But the current installer for NetBeans IDE 5.5 is based on Install Shield 11 which this does not support 64-bit JDK on Win.

Three alternatives how to install:

• Don't use the NetBeans installer, but download the .zip file, and build it from the sources.
• Run netbeans-5_5-windows-rc1.exe -is:extract and then run the extracted jar file manually.
• Use the 32bit JDK to run the installer.

Note: You can use the 64bit JDK to run the NetBeans IDE. You do not need a special 64-bit version of the IDE! The problem is only with this version of the NetBeans installer.

References:

Bug reports

Applies to: NetBeans 5.5

Platforms: Windows XP 64 bit, Windows vista 64 bit, windows 2003 server 64 bit