Multiple Processes of "Java Web Start Launcher" showing up in the Task Manager when uninstalling Java

Question

A few days ago, I planned to uninstall Java because I don't need it anymore. I use an uninstaller named 'Revo Uninstaller' to do a thorough uninstallation of older versions of Java.

I was able to uninstall Java 7 Update 67 using Revo Uninstaller. Revo Uninstaller wasn't able to uninstall Java 8 Update 30-something and I don't know why. It was showing some error about "Windows Installer" so I just used the Control Panel's uninstallation tool. The Control Panel was able to uninstall it but after that, a number of processes named "Java Web Start Launcher" suddenly appeared on the Task Manager. There were many! I decided to shut down the computer because I needed to sleep.

The next day, I woke up and tried to uninstall another old version named "Java 8 Update 40" by using Revo Uninstaller. The uninstallation took a while then I noticed that my PC started running slow. So I went to the Task Manager and I saw that "Java Web Start Launcher" appearing again and again. It kept on creating a lot of them. Every time I scroll down, I see more and more processes of it. So I went to a task manager alternative named "Process Explorer" and tried to kill the Process Tree. It didn't work. It just kept on creating more. They took a lot of my CPU usage. My computer went slow so I held down the power button of my laptop to shut down my PC.

I'd like to know why this is happening. I don't want to uninstall Java 8 Update 40 and the last one named Java 8 Update 45 in the fear of this might happen again.

Could this be fixed? Is there a way to uninstall these Java versions without having another problem like this? Could I uninstall them manually? Like deleting some files in the Program Files folder in the C: drive or maybe removing some registry entries?

Thanks, I hope for an immediate answer.

I'm running Windows 8.1.

Solution

Recently I experienced it similarly. I changed (not upgraded yet?) Windows7 to Windows10 and installed many Java related packages (like eclipse, Java SE runtime 32/64 etc.) Suddenly, the blue circle next to the cursor kept on spinning while I was not doing anything. So many Java(TM) Web Start Launcher processes running according to Task Manager. Even though they took 0~1% CPU time each, and they caused CPU and memory usage to reach 100%.

If this is your case, the following may help you, as it did me; (Please bear with me that the following steps are based on Windows 10.)

1. Windows Key + R
2. Type msconfig and run it.
3. Go to the Service tab
4. Check Hide all Microsoft Services
5. Click Disable all
6. Go to the Startup tab
7. Disable all items
8. Optionally, in an administrative command prompt, run the following;

Dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

9. Reboot

After this work, my computer has been running fine for last two days. Then I went back to the msconfig and I turned on the services I really need such as OneDrive and Dropbox stuff. (a debtor)<><

Comments

[Ramhound]

Although discontinued because the Java uninstaller now handles the removal of Java the proper way, JavaRA, will remove all traces of Java from your computer. Although I suspect the problem is Revo Uninstaller not the Java uninstaller at this point.

[Ronn Parcia]

Not sure, really. This also happened when I uninstalled one when I used the Control Panel's uninstaller. What is JavaRA?

[Ronn Parcia]

So I searched google about JavaRa and saw that it's some Java tool by SingularLabs. It says it does a clean uninstallation of Java so I used it. I uninstalled the last two versions listed using it... Those "Java Web Start Launchers" didn't appear anymore. How do I know if all traces of Java were uninstalled? And thanks for telling me about JavaRa. :)

[Ramhound]

It generates a log. As for how you know. You just have to trust it claims to do it and it actually does it, and the fact it was discontinued becaue the Java uninstaller now does it, means the uninstaller will do it. As for why it didn't work thats why I suggested it, easier just to solve it.