What is Java Quick Starter (JQS)?

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What is Java Quick Starter (JQS)? What is the benefit of running JQS?

This article applies to:

Platform(s): Windows XP, Windows 2000
Java version(s): 6.0

Java Quick Starter (JQS) improves initial startup time for most Java applets and applications. This feature was added to Java in release Java SE 6 update 10.

JQS is enabled by default in Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating systems and JQS is not necessary on Windows Vista or Windows 7 as both offer their own pre-loading mechanisms. A process called jqs.exe will run in the background in order to allow quick startup. jqs.exe will be loaded after a Windows restart. Instructions on how to disable the JQS and the jqs.exe process are below.

The startup performance improvement is achieved by periodically pre-fetching some of the most heavily used Java files into memory (occupying no more than 20Mb of RAM). Later, when Java is launched, much less disk I/O is required which makes startup much snappier and noticeably faster.

Note: JQS service will perform runtime checks and stop running when a laptop is running on batteries. JQS service will resume when the power cord is plugged in, as performance benefit of JQS is largely dependent on overall system configuration.

JQS can be disabled through the Java Control Panel.

Find the Java Control Panel

Windows XP

Click on the Start button and then click on the Control Panel option.
Double click on the Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.

Windows 7, Vista

Click on the Start button and then click on the Control Panel option.
In the Control Panel Search enter Java Control Panel.
Click on the Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.

Windows 8
Use search to find the Control Panel

Press Windows logo key + W to open the Search charm to search settings
OR
Drag the Mouse pointer to the bottom-right corner of the screen, then click on the Search icon.
In the search box enter Java Control Panel
Click on Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.

Disable Java Quick Starter through the Java Control Panel

In the Java Control Panel, click on the Advanced tab
Expand the Miscellaneous option.
Uncheck the check box for the Java Quick Starter.
Click OK and restart the system.