Java now pollutes your Mac with adware — here’s how to uninstall it

Grant Brunner

Do you have Java installed on your Mac? Well, you might want to rethink that decision. Recently, Oracle has begun shipping Ask.com adware alongside the Java installer on OS X. While Windows users have had to suffer this indignity before, this is new for the OS X Java installer. In response, I’m going to show you just how easy it is to rid yourself of this headache all together.

So, I went off in search of how to remove Java. Oracle’s website explains the process, but it’s less user-friendly than I’d like. The Java plug-in is located in /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/, and you’ll need to delete the file named “JavaAppletPlugin.plugin” from that directory. If you have the JDK (Java Development Kit) installed, you’ll need to navigate to /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/ in the Finder. Then, delete the directory inside.

I went through the removal process myself, but that left a broken Java preference pane in my System Preferences. I tried right clicking, and selecting “Remove,” but that process ended in an error. Instead, I had to navigate to /Library/PreferencePanes/, and delete the file called “JavaControlPanel.prefPane” from the directory. After all that, Oracle’s Java is officially no longer a part of my life.

If you still need Java access on your Mac, you have the option of re-enabling Java SE 6 as distributed by Apple. But frankly, very few websites and desktop applications require Java these days, so most of us will be able to easily live without it. Of course, if you decide to continue using Oracle’s Java, make sure you opt out of the Ask.com adware. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself in a battle to remove Ask.com from every nook and cranny.

This isn’t as serious as Superfish, but it’s a stark reminder that many major corporations don’t respect your time and preferences. And since Oracle clearly has so little respect for its users, I no longer want anything to do with that company. Sure, some legacy apps and websites may cease functioning, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay to make a statement.