Convert JAR Files to EXE for Easier Deployment to Windows Users

What Prerequisites Do You Need Before JAR to EXE Conversion?

Technically, this only applies to the conversion part, and there aren’t many prerequisites needed. Once the conversion is done, your end users will have the EXE file, and they won’t need any prerequisites.

We now need to ensure that we have:

• The JAR file you want to convert.
• A JDK (Java Development Kit) installed on your system to test the JAR file.
• Access to one of the conversion tools listed below.

Converting JAR Files to EXE With Launch4j

Launch4j is a popular cross-platform tool that wraps JAR files in Windows executable files, which allows you to specify a minimum Java version required to run the application.

It can also be configured to use a bundled JRE or search for a specific Java installation on the system. If the required Java version is not found, Launch4j can be configured to direct the user to download it.

However, based on your configuration, Launch4j can have:

• A Bundled JRE: No external Java installation is needed because this will be included in the EXE
• Some Specific/System JRE: Java needs to be installed, and Launch4j can configure it automatically.

The difference between the two options is that the bundled JRE will have an increased size. If you have a JAR file that is only a few KB in size, it will expand into around a hundred MB at the end of the conversion because the full Java instance will be present within the EXE. In the end, the output behavior is entirely up to you.

To convert your JAR file to EXE with Launch4j, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Launch4j website and download the installer for Windows. Follow the installation instructions.

2. Open Launch4j and enter your application’s details, such as the output file (your desired EXE file name), the input JAR, and any icon file you have.

3. Under the "JRE" tab, specify the minimum and maximum Java version required for your application.

4. Click on the "Run" button. This process will generate your EXE file in the specified location.

That is it. Based on your settings, the resulting EXE will run your JRE file instantly.

Converting JAR files to EXE With JSmooth

JSmooth is another tool that can create Windows executables from JAR files. However, JSmooth has not been updated in a long time and can only be used for legacy applications and operating systems.

JSmooth, like Launch4j, checks for a Java installation on the user's system and uses it to run the JAR file.

It also features the option to automatically download and install Java if it's not found, or you can bundle a JRE with the application. These are the same scenarios we had with Launch4j, so you now can recognize the distinction between a bundled JRE and a non-bundled one.

To convert your JAR file to EXE with JSmooth, you need to follow these steps:

1. Go to the JSmooth website, download the installer, and follow the setup process.

2. Launch JSmooth and start a new project. Specify your project name and the location of your JAR file.

3. You can customize various settings such as executable icon, JVM version, and window type.

4. Once you've configured your settings, compile the project to create your EXE file.

As you can see, it is a simple approach that is quite similar to Launch4j.

Do You Need Java Installed to Run the EXE?

As discussed earlier, when you build the EXE file, you decide whether Java needs to be installed to run the resulting EXE.

These are not the only tools available for converting JAR files to EXE, but most of them will give you these options:

• BundledJRE: Java is automatically pushed into the executable
• System JRE: Java is present or needs to be downloaded.

These tools allow you to configure the desired JRE and then automatically download and install it on the user machine, making the job much easier for the end user.

Deploying Your EXE Application

Now that the EXE is ready, you can distribute it to users. We recommend that you create an installer package for a professional appearance and easier installation.

If you don’t want to convert your JAR file to EXE, Advanced Installer can help you with your Java Product Deployment.

Advanced Installer stands as an indispensable tool for developers, especially for deploying Java products.Recognizing the unique needs of Java applications, Advanced Installer offers a predefined project customized exclusively for Java products. Its intuitive interface is designed with ease of use in mind, allowing developers to quickly package Java applications without spiraling into technical challenges.Start your 30-day free trial today!

This article demonstrates how simply and efficiently Advanced Installer can package Java products.

If you prefer to use a different EXE launcher than the one Advanced Installer includes, you can still use the Free solution offered by Advanced Installer.

Simply create an MSI package using the Free edition of Advanced Installer. Use its intuitive user interface and add your EXE and JAR files to the Files and Folders page. For more details, check out our article here.

Conclusion

Converting a JAR file to an EXE makes your Java application more accessible to Windows users, improving its distribution and usability.

Each of the mentioned tools offers unique features and levels of customization, so pick the one that suits your needs best. You can distribute your applications more efficiently and provide a better user experience by following this guide.

Final Takeaways

• Java software is delivered in JAR format and expects a Java-literate audience, which is a good deal for developers but a headache for Windows users who expect an easy installation and instant software availability.
• Wrapping a JAR inside an EXE removes that friction by hiding the runtime mechanics and presenting the application in a format Windows users already trust.
• You can configure the EXE build process to include: Bundled JRE: Include a full Java runtime in the executable, Automatic Java Download or System JRE: Java may need to be installed if it's not already available on the system
• JAR to EXE conversion steps: Launch4j: Install the tool, select the input JAR and output EXE, set the Java version and runtime option, then build the executable. , JSmooth: Create a new project, point it to the JAR file, configure JVM and UI settings, then compile the project to produce the EXE.
  
• After creating the EXE, combining it with an installer like Advanced Installer transforms delivery from a loose file to a structured install experience suitable for real-world distribution.