You might need to remove Java 7 eventually, but let's try this first:

From the Windows Start menu, open Control Panel.

If your Control Panel says "View by: Category" in the upper right corner, click Programs.

Then find Java and click that, then when the Java dialog opens, click the Update tab, then the Update Now button.

Does that get you an update?

Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open the Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)

On the left side of the page, select Plugins. Make sure the ones you want to use are set to Ask or Allow.

Go to the web page. Once the page is loading, mouse to the address bar and Left click the icon. Select Permissions. In the menu, Make sure the ones you want to use are set to Ask or Allow.

jscher, thanks again for your reply. Trying your method, Java would not allow the update to happen. I got the message: unknown error in a small box, and it stated status code 12157, what ever that is. What do you suggest? Thank you.

FredMcD, when I do as you suggest, I get the message: "you have not granted this site any special permissions". Don't know what that means, but I know I have seen that message before, when out of curiosity I did click on the address bar icon. Also, why do I see 2 Java plug-ins on my firefox plug-ins list for firefox? One is Java platform and one is Java toolkit. Can you explain. Thank you.

sciencemagic said

I got the message: unknown error in a small box, and it stated status code 12157, what ever that is.

According to Oracle, this means:

12157 Security Channel Error

The application experienced an internal error loading the SSL libraries.

Since the Java control panel connects through the Windows networking components, this indicates some problem with Internet Explorer's plumbing. Is IE up-to-date and working normally with secure sites?

Next step:

Try downloading and then running the 32-bit "offline" installer here:

https://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

There are two Java plugins:

• Java(TM) Platform SE 8 U73 - main plugin, typically set to "Ask to Activate"
• Java Deployment Toolkit 8.0.730.2 - used by a small number of sites, generally safe to disable using "Never Activate"

jscher, thank you for your reply. First of all, somewhat confused by needing I.E. to navigate java, when I'm working in firefox? Having said that, yes, I'm having a WHOLE LOT of trouble with I.E. Basically it is not working properly, and hasn't for about a week. Maybe that is microsofts way of getting me to switch to windows 10? Or, they (MS) just are not wanting users to use that older browser? Don't know. But, I' have much difficulty in trying to use it. Frankly, not much of a problem though, because I just use firefox most of the time anyway, and it actually usually performs better. While this is a different subject, I am also having a lot of trouble all of a sudden trying to use google earth. And, google earth won't allow me to repair the problem either, just as I can't with java. Strange! Being all this may revolve around flash or java?, there might be a connection? Thought I would add that, if it may help your diagnoses. By the way, my java platform is SE8U51, not 8U73, and my toolkit is 8.0.510.16, not 8.0.730.2 as you said it should be. Maybe that's why I'm asked to update? Again, jscher, thank you.

Okay, first, use the manual update offline installer to get the current Java: https://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp.

Note: U51 = Update 51, which is very old now compared with Update 73.

Second, if your other Windows applications cannot connect securely, you can check your IE security settings, but I suggest checking Microsoft documentation on the details for that.

Make sure that ALL of your software is up to date.

jscher, thanks for your reply. This is getting frustrating. When I try and update using the link you provided, it won't allow me to do so? I get the message installer can't proceed with the current internet connection. I remember seeing that same message yesterday when I tried to update java then. As I mentioned earlier, it seems no matter what I do, java will not allow me to do almost anything, either uninstalling or up dating? What do you suggest? Also, you mention "Second, if your other Windows applications cannot connect securely, you can check your IE security settings, but I suggest checking Microsoft documentation on the details for that. Can you explain how I can check microsoft documentation, jscher? If I have to go into I.E., I suspect I won't be able to access anything. But, I will try to log into I.E. and try and find my security settings. I know that microsoft essentials does my security, and I really can't access anything there , when I try to do so, because the options it shows just don't allow any info, frankly. But, if microsoft essentials is something different than what you are asking OK. In so far as java is concerned, I'm at a brick wall. Other than understanding my java versions are out of date. Thank you, jscher.

For Java, did you download the "offline" installer? I realize it's a much larger file than the "online" installer but it shouldn't need to use IE to fetch additional components.

Regarding the Windows/IE problem, when I searched for the 12157 error, there were some articles mentioning making sure various protocols are enabled in IE, but I didn't dig into it in much detail. You might want to start a new question with all the symptoms combined on Microsoft's forum.

jscher, thanks again. Yes, I did use the off-line installer link you provided in your previous reply, ----https://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp. In so far as I.E. is concerned, I opened up the plugins window and I saw where java was disabled there. But java in I.E. shows different nomenclature than firefox, it says java plugin SSV helper and 2 SSV helper. I'm not sure I should enable it. After all it was disabled for a reason I believe, and I suspect it has been disabled for some time. I know I did not change anything there recently, and recently is when I started having this problem. I want to be careful here and not create a bigger problem by just indiscriminately starting to enable and disable things without fully knowing what I'm doing. If you think I should enable those java programs in I.E., let me please know, jscher. I did ask a question about my I.E. problems in a MS forum. I'll see what things brings up. I do know I.E. is completely useless now. Still confused as to why I.E. would have an affect on firefox's plug-ins. But so be it. I realize flash has an affect on video's, but what about java? Just what does java do for my web browsing, jscher? I certainly do appreciate help, understanding and patience, jscher. Hopefully we can come to some kind of successful resolution to this problem.

Java isn't actually very widely used. Some websites use it for older applets, some control panels use it (for example, some Network Attached Storage products), and some games run in the Java plugin. Perhaps it isn't worth bothering with. You can leave it disabled (in Firefox, set to Never Activate), or try uninstalling it from the Windows Control Panel.

Still, it doesn't make sense that an offline installer would give you a network related error. The whole point is that it can run when you are not connected to the network. ??

jscher, thanks once again for your help. I agree, you should be able to use an off-line installer, or uninstall tool, without worrying about an internet connect. But, regarding java, is it possible jscher, that it is the cause of my google earth problems I've been experiencing lately? Just not sure what some of these plug-ins actually do. I understand flash enables video's, I believe, and that is probably my problem with viewing CNBC video's? But, java is another issue. As I mentioned, I'm trying not to get myself into more problems with my inexperience. But, it does seem there are some things with my system that are probably interconnected. I don't think it's a coincidence that my problem with I.E. and google earth and java are all unrelated. Just my opinion. What is your opinion, jscher? Thank you for your help, jscher.

I think there is a problem with IE on your system that is affecting IE, Google Earth, and the Java Control panel.

Thank you jscher. Glad you agree. I thought I was getting paranoid about these problems. It would appear I need to contact I.E. and try to get to the bottom of the I.E. issue then. I'll see how that goes? Unfortunately, I just keep getting deeper in trying to repair problems. Thanks once again, jscher. Oh, by the way. I was able to UNINSTALL both versions of Java by going to my programs list in my control panel and removing them, and they both are now gone. I installed the latest version using java's install program and I will see if that shows up in the firefox plug-in list.