exe4j is a Java exe maker that helps you integrate your Java applications into the Windows operating environment, whether they are service, GUI or command line applications.

If you want your own process name instead of java.exe in the task manager and a user friendly task-bar grouping in Windows XP, exe4j does the job.

exe4j helps you with starting your Java applications in a safe way, displaying native splash screens, distributing and detecting suitable JDKs and JREs, startup error handling and much more.

Here are some key features of "exe4j":

Customized JRE/JDK detection:
· The executable can detect appropriate Java JREs and JDKs in the Windows registry, in environment variables, special directories and on the system path. You can fully customize the search sequence, error handling and supported JRE/JDK versions.

Optional distribution of a bundled JRE:
· exe4j allows you to distribute your own private JRE with your application. This way you can ensure that your application's requirements are definitely met. You can even configure where the JRE is located.

Flexible classpath construction:
· The classpath for your Java application can be fully customized to scan directories for JAR files, include specific directories and archives as well as insert environment variables. Customizable error handling allows you to interrupt the startup sequence with a specific error message instead of obscure NoClassDefFound exceptions later on.

GUI or console applications:
· exe4j lets you compile GUI applications or console applications with an associated terminal window.

Windows services:
· exe4j enables you to easily create a Windows service with Java. With the command line switches /install, /uninstall, /start and /stop you have full control over your service.

Optional inclusion of JAR files into the executable:
· exe4j lets you include JAR files into the executable - in this way you can distribute your Java applications as a single EXE file.

Custom process name instead of java/javaw:
· exe4j launches your Java application in such a way, that the exe4j executable and not java.exe or javaw.exe will appear in the task manager. In Windows XP, the task bar grouping will display the name of your executable and the associated icon, instead of the non-descript terminal icon and the string "javaw".

Custom icon for your executable:
· exe4j lets you specify an icon file that will be compiled into your executable. This gives your application a much more professional appearance than a batch file or an executable JAR file would.

Custom working directory:
· If required you can adjust the working directory to a specific directory relative to the executable. This is especially helpful for console applications which can be invoked from arbitrary directories. This way, you don't need to define fragile environment variables like MYAPP_HOME.

VM parameters file:
· For every executable, you can create a user editable VM parameters file. If your executable is called hello.exe, the VM parameters file is called hello.exe.vmoptions and each line in it is added as a single VM parameter.

Version info resource:
· exe4j can generate a version info resource entry in your executable. This version info is displayed for example in the property dialog of the Windows explorer. If you wish to obtain the "Designed for Windows" logo, this is an important requirement.

Native splash screen:
· For GUI applications, a native splash screen gives the users of your application an optimum feedback about application startup within fractions of a second. Textual status information about application startup and version information can be freely placed on the splash screen. From within your Java code, this status information can be easily updated with one simple call. With exe4j's "auto-off" mode activated, the splash screen is hidden, as soon as your application displays a window.

Redirection of stderr and stdout:
· Output stream and error stream can be redirected to customized files. This gives you access to valuable information like an exception stack trace on stderr that would otherwise be lost for a Java GUI application.

Startup failure detection:
· No more flashing terminal windows and GUI applications that hang without displaying anything. exe4j executables can monitor a stderr output file and display a native dialog with helpful information to inform about startup failures.

Optional single application instance enforcement and multiple startup notification:
· If your application must only be started once, an exe4j generated launcher can enforce this condition. Existing application windows will be brought to the top if a user starts the application a second time. The exe4j API allows you to register a listener that reacts to multiple startups and receives the parameters of the command line.

Fully localizable messages of the executable:
· All messages of the executable are localizable. This way, the executable can blend into the target locale of your application.

Requirements:

· JDK/JRE 1.5 or later

Limitations:

· Evaluation warnings

What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]

New features:
· Allow a * placeholder in classpath archive entries to support frequently changing version numbers of JAR files like in maven projects

Bugs fixed:
· Service arguments embedded in the registered binary path did not work correctly
· Fixed a deadlock for service launchers