How can I uninstall the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (JVM) from Windows XP?

A. You might want to remove the Microsoft JVM, which Microsoft no longer supports, in favor of the more recent Sun Microsystems JVM. To remove the Microsoft JVM, perform the following steps:

1. From the Start menu, select Run.
2. Enter the command

   RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection java.inf,UnInstall 

   to start the uninstall process
3. Click Yes to the confirmation, then select Reboot.
4. After the machine restarts, delete the following items:
   • the \%systemroot%\java folder
   • java.pnf from the \%systemroot%\inf folder
   • jview.exe and wjview.exe from the \%systemroot%\system32 folder
   • The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Java VM registry subkey
   • The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\AdvancedOptions\JAVA_VM registry subkey (to remove the Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) options)

Microsoft Java is now removed. You can download Sun's newer JVM for Windows at http://java.sun.com/getjava/index.html.