Java enabled browser solutions?

[Coram Daes]

In an effort to update some dated hardware, switches and routers, I had to revert to a virtual W7 and IE10, which is of course a bit of an issue.

I would rather look for some kind of integrated solution, is there a simpler/safer way to enable older Java interfaces than getting old OS and old browsers to work?

 

[Coram Daes]

Maybe I should have posted this under Browser...

 

[Alejandro85]

Since Java applets were deprecated long time ago, and current browsers have already dropped support for it (or rather, to the programming interfaces that make Java possible) the only way to get it running is to install an older browser with its support enabled. The operating system itself is of no problem, as Java in general is well-supported and in active development, so any OS will do.

I wonder what webpages would request Java in this day and age, but still, it's not easy to achieve.

So let's review what are the chances:
According to the Java website, the last Chrome version supporting Java is 44, dated from 2015 (https://www.java.com/download/help/chrome.html), so you can use up to this.

As for Firefox, it dropped support in 2018, the 52 ESR being the last version supporting it (https://www.java.com/download/help/firefox_java.html), so installing it will give access to a more modern browser still able to run it.

Internet Explorer last ever version is IE11, which supports Java. However, note that it's already a totally obsolete browser not having received a single improvement for 8 years now, so while you can, it's hard to use for anything serious nowaday.

All Chrome clones (Opera, Vivaldi, Edge, Brave and many others) have the same restrictions as the original Chrome they're based on, so the same out of support since 2015 or so.

The same goes for Firefox clones (Waterfox, Palemoon for example), the can be based on up to FF52 at most.

The real Edge (which is in fact IE12+) never supported Java to begin with, so that's out of question. The Chromium version was forked from Chrome long after Google removed Java support, so that's out of question too.

The real Opera (up to 12) does support Java, but hasn't got an update in years and like IE became obsolete for pretty much anything.

No idea of other options from my part really, but there are at least a couple of options. My personal preference would be Firefox 52ESR.

 

[billmcct]

AFAIK all browsers these days have java disabled. Java script is still enabled.