How to Install and Set Up IntelliJ IDEA for Java 25 on Windows 11

If you’re planning to work with Java 25 on your Windows 11 machine, one of the best IDEs you can use is IntelliJ IDEA by JetBrains. Known for its intelligent code suggestions, debugging tools, and smooth performance, IntelliJ IDEA makes Java development much easier — whether you’re a beginner or an experienced programmer.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to install IntelliJ IDEA, set it up for Java 25, and configure everything properly to start coding right away on Windows 11.

Step 1: Download IntelliJ IDEA

1. Go to the official JetBrains website: https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/
2. You’ll see two main editions:
   • Community Edition (Free and open-source)
   • Ultimate Edition (Paid, with advanced tools for enterprise development)
3. Click Download under your preferred edition for Windows.

Once downloaded, locate the .exe installer file (for example, ideaIC-2025.x.x.exe) in your Downloads folder.

Step 2: Install IntelliJ IDEA

1. Double-click the installer to launch the setup wizard.
2. Follow the prompts — choose the installation path (default is fine for most users).
3. Select the following recommended options:
   • Add “Open Folder as Project” in the Windows Explorer context menu
   • Add launchers dir to the PATH
   • Associate .java, .kt, and .groovy files
4. Click Install and wait for the setup to complete.

When installation is done, click Finish to launch IntelliJ IDEA for the first time.

Step 3: Install Java JDK 25

Before IntelliJ IDEA can compile and run your Java code, you’ll need to have Java Development Kit (JDK 25) installed on your system.

1. Go to Oracle’s official website: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/
2. Download Java SE Development Kit 25 for Windows (x64 Installer).
3. Run the downloaded file and follow the installation wizard.
4. Once installed, verify it using: java -version You should see something like:

java version "25"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 25.x.x)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.x.x, mixed mode)

Step 4: Configure IntelliJ IDEA with Java 25

1. Open IntelliJ IDEA.
2. Click on New Project.
3. Under Project SDK, click Add SDK → JDK.
4. Browse to your JDK 25 installation folder — usually located in:
   C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-25
5. Select it and click OK.

Now, IntelliJ will use Java 25 as your default SDK for all new projects.

Step 5: Create Your First Java Project

1. From the welcome screen, select New Project → Java.
2. Choose Project SDK: Java 25.
3. Give your project a name, such as Java25Demo, and select a location.
4. Click Create.

Inside the editor, create a new file named Main.java and paste the following code:

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Java 25 is running perfectly on IntelliJ IDEA!");
    }
}

Now click the Run button (green play icon) — if everything is set up correctly, you should see the message in the Run console.

Step 6: Optional Settings

You can enhance your setup by:

• Installing plugins like Git Integration, CodeGPT, or Lombok Support.
• Enabling Dark Theme (Darcula) for better readability.
• Adjusting memory settings under Help → Change Memory Settings if you’re working on large projects.

If IntelliJ IDEA doesn’t detect your JDK 25 automatically:

• Go to File → Project Structure → SDKs → Add JDK and manually select your JDK folder.
• Ensure your PATH and JAVA_HOME environment variables are correctly configured: JAVA_HOME = C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-25 Add %JAVA_HOME%\bin to your system PATH.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! You’ve successfully installed and configured IntelliJ IDEA with Java 25 on Windows 11. You’re now ready to build, run, and debug Java projects using one of the most powerful IDEs available today.

Whether you’re writing basic console apps or complex enterprise solutions, IntelliJ IDEA provides the right tools to boost your productivity and make Java development a joy.