Run JNLP Files and Java Web Start Applications in the browser

Run JNLP files without Java Desktop using the CheerpJ JNLP Runner. Compatible with Chrome and Edge. No plugins, no application changes and no local Java installation required.

Why CheerpJ JNLP Runner

Continue Running Java Web Start Applications in Modern Browsers

Java Web Start is no longer included with modern Java distributions, making it difficult to continue running JNLP applications in current browsers. The CheerpJ JNLP Runner enables existing Java Web Start applications to run in Chrome and Microsoft Edge without requiring users to install Java Desktop.

ARCHITECTURE

How the CheerpJ JNLP Runner works

The CheerpJ JNLP Runner allows users to launch existing Java Web Start (JNLP) applications directly from Chrome and Microsoft Edge. The browser extension detects JNLP files, starts the CheerpJ runtime and launches the application without requiring a desktop Java installation or browser plugins

1. Install the Browser Extension

Install the CheerpJ JNLP Runner extension from the Chrome Web Store or Microsoft Edge Add-ons.

3. Launch the Application

The CheerpJ JNLP Runner detects the JNLP file and launches the application using the CheerpJ runtime in your browser.

2. Open a JNLP Application

Navigate to a website containing a Java Web Start (.jnlp) file and launch the application as you normally would.

4. Run Securely in the Browser

The application runs directly in Chrome or Microsoft Edge without requiring a local Java installation or browser plugins, making deployment simpler for both users and IT teams.

Who the CheerpJ JNLP Runner is for

Designed for organisations that:

Need to continue running Java Web Start (JNLP) applications in Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Want to eliminate the need for local Java installations on user desktops.
Need a browser-based solution without modifying existing Java applications.
Manage large desktop estates and want to simplify deployment through enterprise browser policies.
Are looking for a practical replacement for legacy Java Web Start deployment.

Not designed for teams looking to:

Rewrite your application as a native HTML or JavaScript application.
Replace your existing Java application with a new front-end framework.
Modernise or redesign application functionality rather than browser-enable it.
Build a new web application from scratch.

Deployment comparison

Traditional Java Web Start vs
CheerpJ JNLP Runner

Continue running existing JNLP applications in Chrome and Microsoft Edge without managing a local Java installation on every desktop.

Requirement	Traditional Java Web Start	CheerpJ JNLP Runner
Local Java installation	Required	Not required
Browser plugins	Legacy desktop integration	Not required
Chrome support	No native support	Supported
Microsoft Edge support	No native support	Supported
JNLP applications	Runs through Java Web Start	Runs in the browser
Enterprise deployment	Desktop Java management	Chrome and Edge GPO support

CheerpJ JNLP Runner

Run Java Web Start applications without Java Desktop

A modern, secure solution to run JNLP files

JWS without Java Desktop

Run JNLP files without a local Java installation, all within your browser.

Runs on Modern Browsers

Compatible with Chrome and Edge, runs securely within the browser sandbox.

Extensive Compatibility

CheerpJ supports networking, file systems, access to the clipboard, Swing/AWT and generally most Java 8 features.

Looking at alternatives to Java Web Start? Read our guide Java Web Start Is Gone: The Best Ways to Run JNLP Files

FAQ

CheerpJ allows you to keep running any legacy Java Web Start application that is either impossible or impractical to replace or upgrade, extending the life of your application with minimal investment.

The CheerpJ JNLP Runner extension drastically improves the security profile of your application, by removing the need for a local Java Desktop installation, and by running your JWS application sandboxed within the browser.

Yes.

CheerpJ is used by many organizations worldwide to run Oracle Java-based products, such as Oracle Forms and Oracle EBS, on modern browsers. This includes several Fortune 500 companies as well as local and federal government agencies.

Yes.

We can assist you in self-hosting the CheerpJ JNLP Runner so that your organisation doesn’t need to access the Chrome Web Store or the Edge Add-Ons store.

We can provide a self-hostable version of the CheerpJ JNLP Runner to any organisation that requires it. Please get in touch with Enterprise Sales if you are interested in this.

Yes.

You can deploy the CheerpJ JNLP Runner to your organisations’ machines by using Group Policies (GPOs). You can do this on either Chrome or Edge. Further instructions on how to setup your GPOs for CheerpJ are available on the technical documentation.

The CheerpJ JNLP Runner can be used to run any Java Web Start application provided in a JNLP file. It is based on the CheerpJ technology, which means that it has extensive support for Java 6, 7 and 8, and can run virtually any application that you could run with a Java Desktop installation.

The CheerpJ JNLP Runner is compatible with Chrome and Edge, as well as any other Chromium-based browser.

No.

The CheerpJ JNLP Runner does not have any requirement on the Desktop (and does not need Java to be installed) or on the Server.

Your application can remain unchanged, and you will not need any server-side integration.

You can find the Documentation for the CheerpJ JNLP Runner here.

See Your JNLP Application Running in the Browser

Discover how to modernize and improve access to your legacy Java applications with CheerpJ.

Schedule a free demo with our team to learn how CheerpJ can help address your Java requirements.

Fill in the form or book a demo directly here

Run JNLP Files and Java Web Start Applications in the browser

Continue Running Java Web Start Applications in Modern Browsers