JDK-8135254 : Install and uninstall of JRE 8 update 60 removes registry HKLM\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft
  • Type: Bug
  • Component: install
  • Sub-Component: install
  • Affected Version: 8u60
  • Priority: P3
  • Status: Closed
  • Resolution: Duplicate
  • OS: windows_7
  • CPU: x86_64
  • Submitted: 2015-09-02
  • Updated: 2016-08-16
  • Resolved: 2016-08-16
Related Reports
Duplicate :  
JDK-8161945 - REGRESSION: 8u91 update of 32 bit JRE removes preferences of the 64 bit JRE
Relates :  
JDK-8139507 - WARNING: Could not open/create prefs root node Software\JavaSoft\Prefs
Relates :  
JDK-8146305 - Java 8 - Update 60 installer deletes entries from "HKLM\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft"
Description
FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.8.0_60"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_60-b27)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 25.60-b23, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Windows 7 64 bit
Windows 8.1 64 bit

EXTRA RELEVANT SYSTEM CONFIGURATION :
Tested with an without a previous version of Java installed (Java 7 or 8)

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
Our software saves a licence key in a subkey of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Prefs. After installing Java 8 update 60, we found the entire "JavaSoft" registry key  was deleted so the licence was removed.
After repairing the software to replace the registry keys, Java 8 update 60 was uninstalled.
However, this simply removed the registry key again!
It seems the offline installer will always do this on install, but the web installer can upgrade an earlier version without issue. However, uninstall still removes the registry key.

REGRESSION.  Last worked in version 8u51

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1. On a Windows machine, add a registry key to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Prefs if it does not already exist.
2. Install Java 8 update 60 JRE using the offline installer. The registry will be deleted: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft
3. Re-add a registry key to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Prefs 
4. Uninstall Java 8 update 60 from the Windows Control Panel.
The registry will be deleted: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft.

Note: in a test, using the web installer to upgrade an existing version of Java 8 did not delete the registry. However, uninstall did then remove the key.

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
Installing/uninstalling Java 8 JRE should not delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft.
ACTUAL -
Installing/uninstalling Java 8 update 60 JRE deletes HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft.

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
N/A. Use standard installers and manually create registry keys.
---------- END SOURCE ----------

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
None found. Do not install!
We have to reinstall our software or restore a back up of  the registry.
Comments
Reopening this report based upon submitter confirmation that they are not adding their software registry keys to Java registry keys.
13-06-2016
To be clear user is adding his personal registry keys into Java registry, and when we remove java registry his keys get deleted? I don't think this is a bug. User should save registry on different path.
21-04-2016
Confirmed that the issue persists with current JRE version 8u74. To reproduce: - set up a clean install of Windows 7 or 8.1, without Java installed. - create the following registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Prefs HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\JavaSoft\Prefs - install the standalone 32 bit Java 8 update 60, jre_8u74-windows-i586.exe. - confirm that the 64 bit JavaSoft key has been deleted: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft - Checked and confirmed that the 32 bit JavaSoft key is still present, and new settings have been added under it (e.g, Java Runtime Environment).
09-03-2016
Checked this for following: ==================== On a Windows 7 (64-bit) system, checked this issue for JRE 8u60 and 9 ea b80 and couldn't reproduce while following exact steps as mentioned in the report. Result: ========= JRE 8u60 (32-bit and 64-bit) - offline Install and Uninstall - OK JRE 9 ea b80 (32-bit and 64-bit) - offline Install and Uninstall - OK Steps followed to reproduce: =========================== 1. On a Windows machine, add a registry key to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Prefs if it does not already exist. 2. Install Java 8 update 60 JRE using the offline installer. The registry will be deleted: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft 3. Re-add a registry key to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Prefs 4. Uninstall Java 8 update 60 from the Windows Control Panel. The registry will be deleted: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft. Written back to the submitter to respond with the install and uninstall logs from the system where he could reproduce the issue constantly. At the same time it would be interesting to know if he is able to reproduce this issue on a different system. ===================================================================================================== On 9/9/2015 4:52 PM, .......... wrote: > Hi ........., > > I tried to reproduce this issue with JRE versions 8u60 and 9 ea based upon the information provided in the report, but couldn't reproduce. > > Can you share the install and uninstall logs from the system where you are able to reproduce this issue constantly. > At the same time it would be interesting to know if you are able to reproduce this issue on a different system. > > Thank You, > ........ ================================================================================================================
09-09-2015
Received following from the submitter: ================================================ On 9/9/2015 5:31 PM, ..... wrote: > Dear ......, > > I could reproduce the problem on Windows 8.1 (64 bit) and Windows 7 (64 bit). > > Use the offline installer for Java 8 update 60 (my apologies for the typo in the Incident Report description) and install. > > https://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp > > Windows Offline (47.4MB) > > I found sometimes this remove the specified registry keys, but other times it did not. > However, when I uninstalled from Control Panel > Programs and Features, the key was always removed. > > I did notice the issue in JRE 8 update 66 but this was in beta when I filed the report. The important version is update 60. > > Kind regards, > .......... ================================================= Note: From the submitter perspective the issue is occasionally reproduced, unless it's uninstalled from windows control panel. Need to check this with 8u66 as well.
09-09-2015