Should you update to Java 8u501?
No: install Java 8u511 instead. Java 8u501 is a security update Oracle released on 21 Jul 2026 for Windows and Mac. It fixes 17 security flaws, 0 rated critical and 4 high by Oracle.[1] None of them is known to be used in attacks.
It has since been replaced by Java 8u511, released 20 Oct 2026, which includes all of its fixes. If you’re on an older version, install that instead.
Should you update?
No: install Java 8u511 instead. Java 8u511 came out on 20 Oct 2026 and includes every fix in Java 8u501, so there’s no reason to stop at this one. Software Update offers the newest version your device can run.
Is Java 8u501 still safe?
Not any more. Java 8u511 fixes 103 security flaws that Java 8u501 doesn’t, and each became public the day its fix shipped. Installing it is safe: get it only from java.com, or Java’s own updater on Windows, never from a link in an email, text or pop-up.
What it fixes
Oracle lists 17 security flaws, 0 rated critical and 4 high by Oracle.[1] The 4 critical and high ones are:
| Flaw | Severity | What Oracle calls it |
|---|---|---|
CVE-2026-47057 | High | Java SE Scripting |
CVE-2026-41254 | High | Java SE 2D (Little CMS) |
CVE-2026-47063 | High | Java SE Libraries |
CVE-2026-47058 | High | Java SE Scripting |
How to update, and how long it takes
About five minutes. Close your browser and any Java programs first. If nothing you use needs Java, uninstalling it is safer still.
- On Windows, open the Start menu and search for “Check For Updates” (Java’s own updater).Click Update Now and follow the steps.
- On a Mac, or for a Java development kit (JDK),download the newest version of the same Java number from java.com or oracle.com/java and install it.
To check it worked: On Windows, Settings → Apps → Installed apps shows “Java 8 Update 511” or the JDK’s version. On a Mac, open Terminal and type java -version. It should say 8u511 or later.
Older devices
The same day, Oracle released Java 26.0.2 (9 security flaws), Java 25.0.4 (9 security flaws), Java 21.0.12 (9 security flaws), Java 17.0.20 (9 security flaws) and Java 11.0.32 (11 security flaws) for devices that stay on an older version. Each fixes the same holes where they apply.
Before and after
- After: Java 8u511, 20 Oct 2026, 103 security flaws
- Java updates, every release and the latest version
- Updates, the latest version of everything HARD tracks
References
- ^ Oracle. “Oracle Critical Patch Update Jul 2026”, 21 Jul 2026.