MacOS X: Uninstall Java 7 and restore Java 6 (from Apple)

Since many people come to this blog looking for a solution to install Java 7 on MacOS X, it is kind off natural to also show how to uninstall Java 7 and restore Java 6 from Apple. Actually, all these informations are also available over at this page, this page, this page, but below you will find the shorthand version.

Webplugin

If you are just in need of uninstalling the Webplugin then it is as simple as going to the Terminal an issuing:

[code]sudo rm -fr /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin[/code]

Remove Java 7 JDK

Now, if you have the JDK installed you should first uninstall it before restoring Java 6 (believe me, doing otherwise creates a mess). In order to uninstall, we (again) use the terminal by doing:

[code]sudo rm -r /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.7.0_25.jdk[/code]

Note: Your version might be different! If you have more then one jdk1.7.xxx in there, remove them as well.

(Do not attempt to uninstall Java by removing the Java tools from /usr/bin. This directory is part of the system software and any changes will be reset by Apple the next time you perform an update of the OS.)

Restore Java 6

Now, if you followed my guide in installing Java 7 you actually are back on Java 6 already (simply do a “java -version” in the terminal to check) if not, you have to follow the guide by Apple to restore Java 6.

Hope this helps.