Help. What is this default install behavior Java/ ZAP?

[Dre Crego]

OK, so first I installed Java because I did not have it at all - I am certain, I verified to make sure because I just recently did a Windows 10 OS "refresh / reinstall" and signed up for their "Insiders Program" and everything, just to make sure I always have an updated, secure system. I am (trying to be) very careful about knowing what I have on my system. 

So I installed Java, verified that I have the most recent version, 8, which in Java's weird language I learned you have to interpret, 1.8 actually equals 8. Whatever. I verified in Windows powershell, `java -version` returns detailed version information verifying that I indeed have the correct version.

Then I downloaded ZAP from OWASP . org. There are no installation instructions, so I'm doing the best I can. 

ZAP says it cannot find Java. "The install4j wizard could not find a Java(TM) Runtime Environment on your system. Please locate a suitable 64-bit JRE. (minimum version: 1.8)

I tried to help it by moving the ZAP install .exe into the same directory, ran it again (ran as admin).

Then I got this:

"The JVM found at C:\Path\java.exe is damaged. Please reinstall or define EXE4J_JAVA_HOME to point to an installed 64-bit JDK or JRE." Whatever the hell that means.

It wasn't until then that I noticed the log file, and read it. The ZAP installer showed me that Java has created not one, but TWO program directories: a Java directory in my Program Files (x86) directory, and *another* Java directory in a brand-new Oracle directory in my ProgramData directory. WTH, Java, really? 

So, should I A) Change the environment variables to match the Java directory containing the Java.exe program, or B) should I *move* the Java.exe program into the directory path already created by ZAP in the environment variables? Or C) should I add the path of the current Java.exe to the environment variables? 

What does ZAP mean when it says "No JVM found"? What exactly is it looking for? The exe? What is an installation node?

This is overwhelming. 

More info: log attached.

[Dre Crego]

OK nm, finally got it to install. 

I installed JDK 9, which automatically includes JRE 9, (I don't think upgrading to version 9 was really necessary) but I also had to delete and re-download the ZAP installer also. I don't know which part did the trick, but it's installed now. 

[Simon Bennetts]

Thanks for letting us know.
Anyone else had similar problems with the installer?

[flocurity]

Someone in my company had a problem few days ago with the installer. Here's the context:
- he is on a x64 Windows 7
- he has Java 8 already installed (x86 version, because our admin gives us x86 browsers only :/ )
- everything seems ok for him, so he has downloaded ZAP 2.7.0, x64 edition
- the installer says there is no JRE installed on the computer ==> that's false, he has a x86 Java 8

He contacted me. I made him install Java 8 x64 and retry ZAP installation: everything is OK now.

I think the error saying that there is no JRE installed should be more informative (no JRE x64 installed), this is a little confusing for some people.

I think you were in the same situation @DreCrego, your Java 8 is installed in Program Files x86 ==> this is obviously not a x64 edition (which would have been in Programs)

Cheers,

F.

[Simon Bennetts]

We actually use Install4J for our installers, and thats what handles finding the JRE.
We can definitely bring it up with them, but we might need to be in a position to get more evidence for them.

If anyone can repeat this reliably and doesnt mind collecting additional info then please let me know.

Cheers,

Simon

[Simon Bennetts]

Based on the error message on http://resources.ej-technologies.com/install4j/help/doc/index.html it looks like Install4J required a 64-bit JRE.
We'll update our docs to make that clear.

[Neil Fagan]

I tried to update from 2.6 to 2.7 and it failed, reporting that I didn't have jre 1.8 installed.

I updated to Jre 1.8 and retried the installation but it still won't install again reporting that jre 1.8 isn't installed!!

[thc...@gmail.com]

Was that with a 64bit JRE?

Best regards.

[salman...@gmail.com]

I think before install4J, ZAP used to install itself on windows, with JAVA. I don't know why Install 4J is being used. I am also having the same issue with me. Installed Install4J and still ZAP is not running/ installed properly. Going for installing JavaSDK now.