How To Open JNLP File On Windows 10 And MacOS

This tutorial explains what a JNLP file is and how to open it on MacOS, Windows 10 and other Windows versions, and also open it using Chrome and Firefox.

A Java Network Launch Protocol (JNLP) file is used to launch Java-based applications directly from the web, but many users struggle to open it on modern operating systems because browser and Java settings have changed over time.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what a JNLP file is and how to open it on Windows 10, macOS, and other versions of Windows. This step-by-step guide will also walk you through enabling JNLP support in popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

Table of Contents:

• What is JNLP File
• How to Open JNLP File
• How to Open a JNLP file in Windows 11
  • #1) Open JNLP file in Windows 10
  • #2) Open JNLP file in Mac
  • #3) Open JNLP file in Windows 8
  • #4) Open JNLP file in Old Windows Versions
• Configuring Chrome to Open JNLP Files
• Firefox Displays JNLP Files as Text
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What is JNLP File

The JNLP or Java Network Launch Protocol files are program-specific. Sometimes, your system might not recognize JNLP files properly for executing them with the Java Web Start application.

In such cases, you will have to modify the file association of your computer to correctly open the JNLP files with the Java Web Start application.

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How to Open JNLP File

To open a JNLP file, you need Java (TM) Web Start Launcher installed, so first let’s install Java.

As Oracle has deprecated traditional Java Web Start after Java 9, users can use solutions like OpenWebStart for newer systems.

Install Java’s Latest Version

Search for a Java program on your system. If you don’t find it, then it means that it is not yet installed. In that case, download the latest version of Java on your system.

To do that: Visit the Java website and hit the Java Download Button.

You will be taken to the appropriate download page. Click on Agree and start the free download. This will start the download.

After the download is complete, click the install launcher to complete the installation.

Recommended reading =>> How to download and install Java

Editing File Association

Now that you have Java or OpenWebstart got installed, we will see how to open a JNLP file.

As mentioned above, every file type is associated with an application it runs on. JNLP files are run by Java Web Start, and sometimes, it is possible that the JNLP files can become associated with other applications, thereby making them open incorrectly.

In such cases, you will need to modify the file association on your computer so that the JNLP files open with Java Web Start.

How to Open a JNLP file in Windows 11

Opening JNLP files on Windows 11 is a bit tricky as modern browsers and java installations no longer support JNLP files. Since Java Web Start is no longer available, you need to rely on a special runtime to open these files.

This is how you can open JNLP files with OpenWebStart, which is the modern open-source replacement for the old Java Web Start.

Below is a step-by-step guide to open a JNLP file in Windows 11.

Step 1:

• Install Java on Your Computer
• Go to the official Java website.
• Download the Windows installer for Java.

• Open the downloaded .exe file.
• Follow the setup wizard and click Install.
• Once finished, click Close.

Step 2: Install a JNLP Handler

Windows 11 does not come with a built-in program to run JNLP files. You’ll need to download JNLP Handler like OpenWebStart or ensure you have an older version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) with Web Start included.

1. Go to the OpenWebStart website.
2. Download the Windows 64-bit installer as shown in the image below

1. Run the .exe and follow the setup wizard. It’s simple to install
2. Accept the license agreement and click Install.
3.  Finish the installation.

Step 3: Open the JNLP File

• Locate the .jnlp file from your computer
• Right-click the file and select Open With.
• Choose OpenWebStart from the list.

• If prompted, check Always use this app to open .jnlp files.
• The application will now launch automatically.

#1) Open JNLP file in Windows 10

• Open Control Panel from the Start option.

• Go to Programs and select Default Programs.
• Click on ‘Associate a file type or protocol with a program’.

• From the list of extensions, select JNLP.
• Select Change Program.
• If the proper Java application doesn’t show automatically, then choose the More Apps option.
• Now look for another app on this PC.
• Go to the Program Files (x86) folder.
• Click on the Java folder.
• Open the latest version of JRE you have.
• Go to the bin folder.
• Double-click on the javaws.exe application.

[image source]

• Click OK and then Close.

This is the process to open the JNLP file in Windows 10.

#2) Open JNLP file in Mac

• Go to the Finder.
• Search for the JNLP file you want to open.

[image source]

• Right-click on the file.
• Click on Get-Info.

• On the information screen, go to Open With and click on the arrow next to it.
• From the application list, select Java Web Start.

• If you don’t find it in the options, then select Others and find it in the complete application list.
• Select the right app and click on Change All to apply the change to all JNLP files.
• Click Continue.

The JNLP files will now open on Mac without any issue.

#3) Open JNLP file in Windows 8

• From the right edge of the screen swipe in, go to Search.

• Enter Default Programs in the search bar.

• Now click on the option – ‘Associate a file type or protocol with a program’.

[image source]

• Under the registered file types list, find.JNLP.
• Click on it once to highlight the file under the Extensions column.
• Select Change Program.

• From the list of programs, select Java Web Start Launcher.

• If it is not in the options, click on More Options, and then select Look for another app on this PC.
• Double click on Local Disk (C:).

• Double Click on Program Files (x86) or Program Files, whichever you see.

• Select the Java folder.
• Select the latest JRE folder.

• Select bin.
• Click on javaws.exe and hit Open.

You will not have any more issues in opening the JNLP files on WIndows 8.

#4) Open JNLP file in Old Windows Versions

Windows 7 and Vista

• Select Control Panel from the Start menu.
• Select Category from the View By option on the top right corner of the control panel.

• Go to the default programs option.
• Click on the ‘Make a file type always open in a specific program’ option.

• Locate JNLP from the list of Extensions under the Name column and click on it to select it.

• Select the Change option.
• In the Open With window, select Browse.

• The Open With dialogue box will take you to the c:\Program Files directory.
• Now select the Java folder.

• Double click on the latest JRE folder.

• Double click the bin folder.

• Now, double click the javaws application.

• Click OK and then Close.

You should be able to open the file now.

For Windows 2000/XP

• Go to the Start option.
• From Settings, select Control Panel.

• Go to Folder Options and click on it.

• In the window that opens, click on the File Types tab.

[image source]

• Under the registered file types, locate JNLP and highlight the file by going to the Extensions column and clicking on the JNLP file once.
• Hit the Change button.

• In the Open With window, click on Browse.
• Locate the file javaws.exe from the Open With dialogue window.

• Double click the Java folder in the C:\Program Files folder.
• Now double click on the JRE folder.

• Find the bin folder in it and double click on it.

[image source]

• Now select javaws.exe and click Open.

[image source]

• Click Ok to close the window.
• Click Apply and click OK.

You will be able to open the JNLP files now.

Configuring Chrome to Open JNLP Files

1. Launch Chrome.
2. Go to the website with a link to a JNLP file.
3. Download the file. You will be able to see the file at the bottom window.
4. Click on the arrow next to it and select ‘Always Open Files Of This Type’.
5. When Chrome asks the program with which you want to open the file, select ‘Java Web Start Launcher’.
6. If you don’t have Java Web Start Launcher, then download and install it.

Now you can open JNLP files on Chrome.

Firefox Displays JNLP Files as Text

Usually, as the browser or system is not properly set up to send JNLP files to Java Web Start, it will face certain issues while opening the file. These issues could be being unable to open the file at all or your browser ending up displaying it as text. So, to open the JNLP file on Firefox, make the following adjustments.

#1) On Linux

• Launch Firefox and Press Alt.
• Go to tools in Firefox.

• Click on Options.

• Scroll down the list and find the JNLP File.
• Select Use Java Webstart Launcher in action.

#2) OSX

• Download the JNLP file.
• Go to Finder and find the file.
• Right-click on it.
• Select Get Info.
• In the Open With, select Java Web start.

• If you can’t find it in the list, then navigate to System, go to Library and click on Core Services. Here, you will find Java Web start.
• If it’s not there as well, then go to Applications and click on Utilities. There you can find Java Web start.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why am I not able to launch JNLP?

Make sure you have the latest version of Java. Also, see that your browser isn’t blocking the file from an unidentified developer as it might lead them to block the file RCSB-ProteinWorkshop. jnlp. Always select the ‘Open Anyway’ option in such cases.

2. How to start Java Web Start launcher?

Go to the control panel from start and double click on the icon of Java. It will launch the Java Control Panel. Go to the General Tab. From the Temporary Internet Files section, select View. Now, double click on the application you want to launch.

3. I am getting a fatal initialization error while using the web start?

JNLP files need to be executed with javaws and if another application is your default java client, you will come across this error. To start the file, either change your default browser preferences so that the JNLP application opens with javaws, or go to the command line in javaws viewer to force the JNLP file to ec=xecute with Java.

How to open JNLP file in Windows 11

To open a JNLP file in Windows 11, since Windows 11 cannot open these files natively, you must first install a handler.– Download the Windows 64-bit installer from the OpenWebStart website.– Run the .exe file and follow the installation wizard.– Once installed, you need to tell Windows to use this program for your JNLP files.– Locate your .jnlp file in File Explorer.– Right-click the file and select Open with > Choose another app.– Look for OpenWebStart Launcher in the list.– Check the box: “Always use this app to open .jnlp files.”– Click OK.

How to open JNLP file without Java

Opening the JNLP (Java Network Launch Protocol) file without the presence of the local Java installation (JRE) on the computer is possible by using alternatives that emulate the environment. CheerpJ JNLP Runner allows Java applications to be executed directly on modern browsers (Chrome and Edge) using WebAssembly.

How to open a JNLP file in macOS?

To open a JNLP file in macOS, download the macOS installer (usually a .pkg or .dmg file) from the OpenWebStart website.– Locate your .jnlp file in Finder.– Right-click (or Control-click) the file.– Select Open With > Other.– In the Applications folder, find and select OpenWebStart.– Check the box for “Always Open With” at the bottom of the window to make this the default.– Click Open.

Conclusion

JNLP files might cause problems if they are not updated or if the file associations are mixed up. So, it is easy to fix the issue when you are unable to open the JNLP file.

Further reading =>> Open Cal File using Cal File Viewer

However, try not to meddle with them as one wrong click or keystroke in your program could get messed up. So, unless necessary, let these files be.

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