Set java version

Question

I am into development of a J2EE project, where jdk version is 1.4.2_04 in Win XP environment.
My JAVA_HOME, classpath, Path variables point to this version.
Then for testing purpose I installed JDK 1.6.0_11 in a different drive. Now my java -version command shows 1.6.0_11, although the JAVA_HOME, classpath, Path variables point to the older version. I want to go back to the previous jdk for my work. Also I want to do some testing in the new java version. My idea before installing the JDK 1.6.0_11 was that I will toggle between the versions by changing the values of environment variables. But since they point to the older jdk I am lost. Please help me.

Answer 1

The 6u11 JRE install updated the Registry and java/javaw/javaws files in the windows\system32 directory. Since that directory is listed first in the classpath, the 6u11 version became the default.
If you don't need the 6u11 JRE, you can uninstall it, which should restore what you previously had - a JDK (as opposed to a JRE) only installs the one JDK directory, no other changes are made.
You should be able to execute a desired java.exe version by using the full path for the java.exe file on the commandline. Java doesn't use any form of java_home.