Why can't I run Java Web Start Applications?

Question

I have Ubuntu 12.10 for x86-64 on my PC and I'm trying to run a .jnlp file. I've installed Java 7 and the Java plugin for Mozilla Firefox manually (because there is no .deb package for Java 7 for Ubuntu).

Whenever I double click a .jnlp file, Firefox is opened and it gives me the option of opening the file with Firefox or saving it. If I click save, it download the file I'm trying to run, and if I click open with Firefox web browser, it opens another tab and asks me again (in the new tab) to either open or save.

I used to run the exact same file on Debian, so what should I do to run this file on Ubuntu?

Solution 1

First install the icedtea-8-plugin package (or later version) that include the java browser-plugin and the javaws webstart tool that can launch .jnlp files.

Use javaws to open the downloaded .jnlp file.

Solution 2

Have you tried verifying that java is working properly? You can use this link to see if it is. http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre If not, You'll have to get it enabled properly. I'm still a bit of a Noob but I had that same problem. Regards

Solution 3

For Ubuntu 19.10, use:

sudo apt install icedtea-netx

Comments

[Din]

Go to (Firefox) Preferences --> Applications --> JNLP file --> Use other Now go to your Java 7 disrectory --> bin --> javaws This will open your jnlp file --------------- Note - You can use Icedtea for opening jnlp files.

[IronMan007]

To install icedtea-7-plugin type sudo apt-get install icedtea-7-plugin.

[Bunyk]

icedtea-7-plugin is not found anymore. Now you should install icedtea-8-plugin

[Chester]

apt-cache search "icedtea-.*-plugin" to find appropriate version.

[Byte Commander]

This package exists not only since 19.10 but for all currently supported Ubuntu releases (at least 16.04 and newer). Check e.g. packages.ubuntu.com/search?keywords=icedtea-netx