openwebstart ☆

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Description:
Tool to run Java Web Start-based applications after the release of Java 11

Type: Cask | Latest Version: 1.13.0@0 | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Developer tools

Tags: java jnlp web-start developer-tools legacy

Install: brew install --cask openwebstart

About:
OpenWebStart is a free, open-source tool that enables the execution of Java Web Start (JNLP) applications on modern Java versions, addressing the removal of this feature in Java 11 and later. It is based on the IcedTea-Web project and provides a compatible, cross-platform solution for launching and managing Java-based network applications. This ensures that legacy enterprise and educational applications continue to function without requiring outdated Java installations.

Key Features:

Fully compatible with Java Network Launch Protocol (JNLP) specifications
Automatic application updates and caching for seamless user experience
Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Simple configuration and management via a user-friendly UI

Use Cases:

Running legacy enterprise applications that rely on Java Web Start
Maintaining access to educational or government software built on JNLP
Managing and deploying Java applets in a modern IT environment

Alternatives:

Oracle Web Start – The official Oracle implementation, but requires a paid subscription for commercial use on newer Java versions.
IcedTea-Web – The open-source upstream project that OpenWebStart is built upon, often requiring more manual setup.

Version History

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