New Post: HOW TO: Deploy Java 8 (while uninstalling previous versions)

First of all a big thanks to developers, for the great product, thanks to anyone who contributes to this board and thanks to DParks256 for posting a guide for Java 7.

I have finally started deploying Java 8 in our network, and decided share this short guide that I've created for internal use.
It's nothing new, but a good step by step manual on how to publish Java 8 using WPP. Any feedback is welcome.

Also, FYI, I've test deployed Java 8 Update 31 MSI on our XP machines, and so far it works without issues, with the apps that we need it for.

My current MSI installation command looks like this:

msiexec /i jre1.8.0_XX.msi JU=0 JAVAUPDATE=0 AUTOUPDATECHECK=0 RebootYesNo=No WEB_JAVA=1 /q /norestart /log C:\JavaInstall.log

The guide

1. Extract MSI from EXE:
   • Run the Java Installation executable, don't need to install
   • Go to C:\Users\<yourusername>\AppData\LocalLow\Sun\Java\ and copy your version's MSI file to some dedicated work folder/location.
2. Read MSI ProductCode using WPP's MSI-reader function and copy it to a text file in a work folder. Looks like this {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F83218031F0}
   • WSUS Package Publisher>Tools>MSI Reader
   • Find and copy Product Code field under Properties.
3. Create a Java8_XXInstall.bat (replace XX with your update version) file with the following content, This will uninstall the previous versions of Java(7) and install Java 8, (the list for 7 might not be complete, so modify if needed):
   ...........................................................
   REM Uninstall Java 7 Update 45
   msiexec /x {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F83217045FF} /q
   REM Uninstall Java 7 Update 51
   msiexec /x {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F83217051FF} /q
   REM Uninstall Java 7 Update 55
   msiexec /x {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F83217055FF} /q
   REM Uninstall Java 7 Update 60
   msiexec /x {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F03217060FF} /q
   REM Uninstall Java 7 Update 65
   msiexec /x {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F03217065FF} /q
   REM Uninstall Java 7 Update 67
   msiexec /x {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F03217067FF} /q
   REM Uninstall Java 7 Update 71
   msiexec /x {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F03217071FF} /q
   REM Uninstall Java 7 Update 75
   msiexec /x {26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F03217075FF} /q
   REM Install Latest Java Version X86
   msiexec /i jre1.8.0_XX.msi JU=0 JAVAUPDATE=0 AUTOUPDATECHECK=0 RebootYesNo=No WEB_JAVA=1 /q /norestart /log C:\JavaInstall.log
   ...........................................................
4. Create a new Custom Update:
   
   • Open WSUS Package Publisher>Updates>Create Custom Update
   • Add "Decalre variable to store data and use it later" - name it ReturnCode, type - Int
   • Add "Allow to execute a file":
     Path to file: Java_8_XX_Install.bat
     Parameters: leave empty
     Kill process after 30 minutes
     Store Return Code to select our "ReturnCode" variable
   • Add "Allow to define a return code for this custom update “Select Variable, choose ReturnCode.
     

We are now done with custom update XML generator, continue on.

• Add the .MSI and the Java_8_XX_Install.bat file to the package; Mark it as an Update - Critical update. Next>
• IsInstalled. Add rule “MSI Product Installed” - For MSI Product Code use the value copied to the text file in step 2. Next>
• IsInstallable. If deploying 32bit and 64bit versions of Java and if Itanum machines report to your WSUS, then you can add the “Processor Architecture” rule. You should also be able to use Reverse rule for Processor Architecture = Architecture IA64 (not equal to Itanium) if you want to just skip IA64 machines. If you are deploying either just 32bit or just 64bit version across the board then you can leave this section alone. Publish>
  

Related links/documents:
https://wsuspackagepublisher.codeplex.com/discussions/570492
https://wsuspackagepublisher.codeplex.com/discussions/462519
https://www.codeplex.com/Download?ProjectName=WsusPackagePublisher&DownloadId=903843