How To
Summary
This document and video describe the three main tasks customers need to complete to be able to download PTFs and software from IBM websites that use Download Director technology.
Steps
Over the past few years, customers who have relied on Download Director to let them download PTFs and software from IBM often report that it has stopped working. The primary reason for this is that Download Director relies on Java Web Start (javaws) technology which has been removed in the more recent versions of Java.
The steps that customers need to follow to make sure that Download Director will work for them are:
- Make sure that IBM Java 8, 11, or 17 is installed. We recommend that customers install IBM Semeru Java.
- Install IcedTea-Web to get Java Web Start (javaws) technology that has been removed from Java distributions.
Note: As of June 2025, we are more often recommending the install of OpenWebStart instead of IcedTea-Web. Lately more customers and IBM developers have had good luck with that implementation of Java Web Start. In either case, make sure that your operating system is configured to launch .jnlp files using the Java Web Start tool you have installed. - Install the Download Director software.
The video that follows demonstrates this process and the successful use of Download Director.
If you follow these steps and still have trouble, check the Download Director FAQ.
Note: New documentation on using OpenWebStart with Download Director is available:
Additional Information
Aside from the above three main concerns, we will use this space to highlight other issues with Download Director we have seen:
Files with a .JNLP extension must be associated with Java Web Start
In order for Download Director (DD) to work, the .JNLP files you download (like from Step 3 above and later from sites like IBM FixCentral) must be associated with Java Web Start. If you download the .jnlp file to install DD from step 3 above, and right clicking on it does not start the installaction, right click on the .jnlp file and check the "Open With" option. This should point to Java Web Start, javaws, or something similar. If it points to your Web browser, change that setting.
In order for Download Director (DD) to work, the .JNLP files you download (like from Step 3 above and later from sites like IBM FixCentral) must be associated with Java Web Start. If you download the .jnlp file to install DD from step 3 above, and right clicking on it does not start the installaction, right click on the .jnlp file and check the "Open With" option. This should point to Java Web Start, javaws, or something similar. If it points to your Web browser, change that setting.
Related Information
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
24 July 2025
UID
ibm17181432