Eclipse IDE Installation on Windows 10/11 + Demo Java Program

Learn how to install Eclipse IDE on Windows 10 and 11, configure Java, create a Java project, and run your first Hello World program with this beginner-friendly guide.

Ready to Start Coding Java? Let’s Set Up Eclipse! ☕

Eclipse IDE gives you a powerful workspace for writing, running, and debugging Java applications. In this guide, we'll install Eclipse IDE on Windows 10/11, configure the essentials, and create our first “Hello World” Java program from scratch.

From installation to your first successful Java run — let's get coding! By GPW Team

What's Inside this Setup?

☕ Java ·  🛠️ Eclipse IDE ·  🪟 Windows 10/11  · ⚙️ Setup  · 📝 Hello World  · ▶️ Run & Verify

Eclipse IDE Installation Steps Guide

💡1. What is Eclipse IDE?

Eclipse IDE is a free and open-source development environment widely used for creating Java applications. It brings code editing, project management, program execution, and debugging into one organized workspace, making it suitable for both beginners learning Java and developers working on larger applications.

⭐ 1.1 Why Should You Use Eclipse IDE?

Eclipse gives Java learners and developers a structured workspace where they can write, organize, run, and troubleshoot programs without relying on several separate tools.

🔥 1.2 Some Features Worth Knowing:

  • ⚡ Code Completion – Get suggestions while typing and reduce repetitive coding.

  • ☕ Java Development Tools – Create and manage Java projects, packages, classes, and source files.

  • 📁 Project Explorer – Keep project files and resources organized in one place.

  • 🐞 Built-in Debugger – Run code step-by-step and investigate problems more easily.

  • ▶️ Run & Test – Compile and execute Java programs directly from the IDE.

  • 🔍 Code Navigation – Quickly move between classes, methods, declarations, and references.

  • 🧩 Plugin Support – Extend Eclipse with additional tools and capabilities when your development needs grow.

  • 🎨 Customizable Workspace – Arrange views, editors, perspectives, and settings around your preferred workflow.

💰 2. Is Eclipse IDE Free?

Yes — Eclipse IDE Is Free and Open Source. Eclipse IDE can be downloaded and used without purchasing a subscription or activation key. The Eclipse IDE and platform are released under the Eclipse Public License 2.0 (EPL-2.0), an open-source license that permits use and distribution under its terms.

Features
Attributes
🟢 Cost
Free
💻 Platform
Windows, Linux & macOS
🔓 License
Eclipse Public License 2.0
🧩 Extensibility
Large plugin ecosystem

😉 2.1 What Does “Free” Mean Here?

  • You can use Eclipse IDE for learning, personal projects, academic work, and professional software development without paying for the IDE itself.
  • The Eclipse Foundation also states that its Eclipse software is distributed royalty-free under the applicable project licenses.

Eclipse is free, but individual third-party plugins, tools, services, or software you use alongside it may have their own licensing terms.

💡 GPW Tip:

🖥️ 3. System Requirements & Compatibility:

Before getting started, take a quick look at the basic requirements for running Eclipse IDE comfortably on your Windows system.

Requirement
Details
🖥️ Operating System
Windows 10 or Windows 11
⚙️ System Type
64-bit Windows - x86_64 for most modern PCs
💾 Storage
Free disk space for Eclipse and your Java projects
🧠 Memory (RAM)
4 GB or more recommended for comfortable use
🌐 Internet
Recommended for downloading Eclipse, updates, plugins and project dependencies
☕ Java Runtime
Required for Eclipse; the current Eclipse Installer bundles a JRE

🔍 4. Which Version Should You Choose?

  • If you’re following this guide to learn Java or build regular Java applications, the best choice is the Eclipse IDE for Java Developers. It includes the essential Java Development Tools along with Git, Maven and Gradle integration.

  • You may also see different Eclipse packages for Enterprise Java, C/C++, PHP, and other development environments. Choose the package based on the programming language or development work you plan to do.

Requirement
Details
☕ Learning Java / Java projects
Eclipse IDE for Java Developers ⭐
🌐 Enterprise Java & Web development
Eclipse IDE for Enterprise Java and Web Developers
⚙️ C/C++ development
Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers
🐘 PHP development
Eclipse IDE for PHP Developers
💻 ARM-based Windows PC
Choose AArch64

For this tutorial, choose Eclipse IDE for Java Developers → Windows → x86_64 if you're using a typical 64-bit Intel or AMD Windows PC. Eclipse also provides an AArch64 build for compatible ARM-based Windows systems.

🤔 GPW Tip:

📥 5. Download Eclipse IDE:

Getting Eclipse is straightforward — the important part is choosing the official Eclipse distribution and the package that matches your development needs. For this tutorial, we’ll use Eclipse IDE for Java Developers, which includes Java Development Tools along with Git, Maven and other useful Java-development components.

Always download Eclipse from the official Eclipse website. Avoid random software-download sites or unofficial repackaged installers to reduce the risk of outdated or modified software.

‼️GPW Safety Tip:

🛠️6. Installing Eclipse IDE on Windows 10/11:

Installing Eclipse IDE is straightforward with the Eclipse Installer. Once the installer is downloaded, follow the steps below to set up Eclipse for Java development.

1️⃣ Launch the Eclipse Installer:

  • Open the downloaded Eclipse Installer (.exe) from your Downloads folder.
  • If Windows displays a security or User Account Control prompt, verify that the publisher is Eclipse Foundation and select Run or Yes to continue.

 

2️⃣ Choose Eclipse IDE for Java Developers:

  • The Eclipse Installer will display the available Eclipse packages.
  • Search for or select: ☕ Eclipse IDE for Java Developers
  • This package includes the essential tools for Java development, including the Java IDE, Git support, XML editing, Maven and Gradle integration.
  • Click the package to continue.

 

3️⃣ Choose the Installation Folder:

  • The installer will ask where you want Eclipse to be installed.
  • You can keep the default installation location or choose another folder with enough free space.
  • For a simple setup, the default location is perfectly fine.

 

4️⃣ Start the Installation:

  • Review the selected package and installation location.
  • Click Install to begin the installation.
  • The Eclipse Installer will download and configure the required Eclipse components. The current Eclipse distribution also bundles a JRE, making the setup easier for many users.

 

💡 🤔 GPW Tip: If you’re installing Eclipse specifically for Java development, make sure you’ve selected Eclipse IDE for Java Developers rather than a package intended for another programming language.

 

5️⃣ Launch Eclipse:

  • Once the installation finishes, click Launch to open Eclipse.
  • The first time Eclipse starts, you’ll be asked to choose a workspace location. This is the folder where Eclipse stores your projects and workspace-related files.
  • You can keep the suggested location or create a dedicated folder such as: C:\Users\YourName\eclipse-workspace
  • Then click Launch.

🎉 That’s it! Eclipse IDE is now ready for Java development.

Unless you have a specific reason to use another drive or folder, keeping the default installation location makes future updates and troubleshooting simpler.

💡 GPW Tip:

🧩7. Exploring Eclipse Marketplace & Plugins:

One of Eclipse IDE’s biggest strengths is its extensibility. You can add plugins and tools when your development needs grow instead of switching to a completely different IDE. The Eclipse Marketplace provides a convenient way to discover and install additional solutions directly from Eclipse.

🔌 Open Eclipse Marketplace:

  1. Open Eclipse IDE.

  2. Click Help in the top menu.

  3. Select Eclipse Marketplace…

  4. The Marketplace window will open with available plugins and solutions.

  5. Use the Search box to find the plugin or tool you need.

  6. Select the required plugin and click Install.

  7. Review the selected features and accept the license terms if prompted.

  8. Complete the installation and restart Eclipse if requested.

That’s it — the new functionality should now be available inside your Eclipse workspace.

Don't install plugins just because they're available. Start with the tools you actually need for your projects, and add more as your development workflow grows.

💡 GPW Tip:

🧪8. Your First Java Program: Hello World!

Now that Eclipse is installed, let’s put it to work! We’ll create a simple Java project, add our first Java class, write a Hello World program, and run it directly from Eclipse. ☕💻

1️⃣ Create a New Java Project:

  • Open Eclipse and select: File → New → Java Project
  • Enter a project name such as: HelloWorld
  • Click Finish.

 

2️⃣ Create a Java Class:

  • In Package Explorer, expand your new project.
  • Right-click the src folder and select: New → Class
  • Enter: HelloWorld
  • Then click Finish.

 

💡 GPW Tip: You can also select the option to create the main method automatically. This saves you from typing the basic Java program structure manually.

 

3️⃣ Write Your First Java Program:

Add this code to the class:

☕
HelloWorld.java
Copy to clipboard
public class HelloWorld {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }

}

4️⃣ Run the Program ▶️:

  • Right-click the Java file and select: Run As → Java Application
  • Eclipse will compile and execute the program.
  • Look at the Console panel at the bottom.
  • You should see:  Hello, World!
 

🎉 Congratulations! Your first Java program is running successfully in Eclipse.

📬VIDEO DEMO:

Prefer following along with a video? 👀 Watch our step-by-step tutorial to see the Eclipse IDE installation, Java setup, project creation and Hello World program demonstrated from start to finish.

▶️ Follow the video below and code along with us!

🏁 Conclusion:

That’s it! 🎉 Eclipse IDE is now installed, your Java workspace is ready, and you’ve successfully created and executed your first Java program.

What started as a simple “Hello World!” is your first step into working with Java projects, classes, debugging, libraries, and larger applications. As you continue learning, Eclipse can grow with your projects rather than being something you need to replace as your skills improve.

Now that the setup is done, the real coding journey can begin. ☕💻🚀

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