I have the latest free version 2014.9.0.2021.
On the software updater it shows that there is a Java Runtime Environment 8 update available, but it just seems to hang when I click to update it via the Avast free version program.
Avast shows that I am up-to-date with version 7, I tried uninstalling version 7 but it still didn’t let me install version 8 (32 bit)
Do I really need version 8 and if so how do I go about this?
Here we have quite a few topics about this theme. 
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=153847.msg1118661#msg1118661
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=153849.msg1118667#msg1118667
TerraX
Oh thanks, I didn’t realise.
No problem…you´re welcome. 
TerraX
Version 8 is out, but when I go to Sun’s website it says I have already the latest version installed (7)
And there is a article there that 8 is only mend for developers.
Probably why when we click on to update via Avast it just goes round and round but doesn’t actually update.
Will Avast be updating their program version to fix this soon or will they be waiting till it’s out fully?
I wonder if we will need to manually remove 7 before we go for 8.
Java 8 is has been officially released. http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html. It’s not just for developers, and JRE 8 U20 is the latest for those on the newer Windows OSs.
So Java 8 has been officially released so why isn’t the Java updater via control panel says it’s up to date and even the Java download page says Java 7 is the latest version. According to the link that you have provided Gopher John which one should we download that is suitable for home user is it JDK or JRE?
The Java update page has had a problem for some time. If you have version 7 (which is also a current official release) installed, and it is the latest build of version 7, it will tell you that it is up to date. Technically, it is correct even though Java 8 is also a current official release.
Most home users only need the JRE. It will satisfy most needs.
Can you supply a link to the JRE for 8 please so I know i’m using the correct one for Windows 7 laptop.
Also do I need to uninstall version 7 first? or will 8 replace it automatically?
A direct link I mean.
It’s recommended to use this tool via here http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/uninstaller_toolinfo.xml after that restart your computer and install Java 8 and do another manual restart
You will find the links at http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre8-downloads-2133155.html. Be sure that javascript is enabled and you are accepting cookies. The actual download link is dynamically assigned, so any direct link I would have will be expired soon. The filenames I downloaded were jre-8u20-windows-i586.exe and jre-8u20-windows-x64.exe. The i586 install is needed for 32 bit programs that can use the JRE, while 64 bit programs obviously require the 64 install.
[quote author=Gopher John link=topic=153882.msg1118980#msg1118980 date=1408931412]
The Java update page has had a problem for some time. If you have version 7 (which is also a current official release) installed, and it is the latest build of version 7, it will tell you that it is up to date. Technically, it is correct even though Java 8 is also a current official release.
I clicked on the Java JRE download and there are many OS list linix, Mac, Solaris, and Windows OS. Mine is Windows 7 64-bit and for Windows 7 64-bit version there are two types of download one is .exe and the other one is .tar.gz. Which one should I download? I will be doing this in 2 days because ran out of broadband speed lol
Please discard my previous message because it was quoted in a wrong way.
I clicked on the Java JRE download and there are many OS list linix, Mac, Solaris, and Windows OS. Mine is Windows 7 64-bit and for Windows 7 64-bit version there are two types of download one is .exe and the other one is .tar.gz. Which one should I download? I will be doing this in 2 days because ran out of broadband speed lol
The trouble with using that un-install link is that it brings up a message saying Congratulations, you have no outdated versions and that version 7 update 67 is up-to-date.
So what is the best way of removing version 7 that will allow me to install version 8?
I will just have to un-install it manually then install a fresh the version 8 and see how that goes.
Just to confirm I now have Java version 8 update 20 installed successfully. And it also shows on the Avast Software Updater as being up-to-date.
Thanks everyone for your help with this. 
Your very welcome Did u download the .exe or the .tar.gz file of java?
Downloaded the on-line version, not the tar.gz one.