If you open the Windows Task Manager (by pressing CTRL ALT DEL) you might notice the process jqs.exe that is running with a low priority. Jqs.exe uses about 1.5 Megabytes of computer memory and 2 Megabytes of virtual memory while running. It also initiates I/O processes frequently if those columns are activated in the Task Manager.
Experienced computer users might guess that the process is related to Java and that is the case indeed. Jqs.exe is the Java Quick Starter which was designed to improve the startup time of Java applets and applications by prefetching Java Runtime Environment (JRE) files frequently into memory. That’s mainly interesting for users who work with Java on a day to day basis. Everyone else might be better of disabling the Java Quick Starter. Think of a user who encounters one Java applet per month (or week), would it make sense to run the process all the time because of those few instances where it might start the application or applet faster? (see also Java Portable on how to use a portable version of Java on the computer)
Jqs.exe is definitely querying the Windows Registry for instance. The performance increase might not be huge but you will free up some computer memory and some I/O processes on the computer system.
How to disable JQS.exe
Now, if you want to disable the Java Quick Starter process you can do that in the Windows Control Panel. You find a Java entry there which will open the Java Control Panel.
A click on Advanced and the selection of Miscellaneous will display the activated Java Quick Starter entry. Uncheck the box to disable the process. This will be visible in the Windows Task Manager immediately.
java quickstarter
You might also be interested in finding out how to run Java Portable which is another option to make sure that no background processes are running.
Interested in finding out what other processes on your system are doing? Check out our Process listing for that.
Update: Several commenters mentioned that using the Java Control Applet to disable jqs.exe will only disable the program from running for the logged in user. Another method to disable the Java background process is more appropriate for multi-user systems:
You need to press Windows-R, type in services.msc and hit enter. This opens the Windows Services configuration window. Locate the Java Quick Starter service from the listing and right-click it.
Select Properties from the menu, this opens a new window with details about the process.
Click on the Stop button to stop the Java Quick Starter button and thus jqs.exe from running in the current session. You also need to change the startup type from automatic to disabled to prevent that it is loaded on the next start of the Windows operating system. Once done click Apply and then Ok to close the window.
Additional Resources:
Update Java
Windows Process Manager (better task manager)
ctfmon.exe
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Download Microsoft Office Starter 2010JRE Download
Update Java and remove old Java versions from your system
Get rid of unnecessary system startups
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Thanks , I was wondering what jqs.exe was when I looked at my processes :)
Java Quick Starter also gets installed (at least on my machines) as an add-on to Firefox 3.0.4 when installing the latest jre (v6u11). I don’t have JQS checked in the console, but it does run whenever I open Firefox (of course the add-on can always be disabled).
To emphasize on Dan’s comment, the JQS Firefox extension itself is located in “c:Program FilesJavajre6libdeployjqsff” and its install.rdf shows :
minVersion = 1.5
maxVersion = *
Now, * as a maxVersion is definitely a dream!
—
Two points,
1- I guess there’s a better point in disabling JQS Firefox extension prior to disabling it in Java from Control Panel, if the idea is to disable jqs.exe as a whole ;
2- I have the feeling my pages appear faster with jqs.exe running (it’s a Window’s service, btw) but perhaps may other reasons or my dreams be the cause…
This piece of information is quite useful to all, because I know that not many knowing about this. Even if it releases a little memory, of course it is a worth.
EDIT : Path was of course,
X: \ Program Files \ Java \ jre6 \ lib \ deploy \ jqs \ ff \
“Jqs.exe is the Java Quick Starter which was designed to improve the startup time of Java apples and applications by prefetching Java Runtime Environment files frequently into memory.”
apples? :)
yeah those Java apples are pretty tasty :)
Small or big, apples are definitely tasty, and tempting :)
On my system, jqs contends with some-dang anti-virus software for the most page faults. Use google’s browser, chrome, instead of firefox.
David, I’m sure you can do better than that to promote Chrome! Oh boy …
In terms of security Firefox is the first. In terms of speed, Firefox 3.1 beats, will beat Chrome. Chrome is not a browser, it’s a Google interface!
“Some anti-dang anti-virus” : if I were you, David, I’d reconsider my system’s security, not jqs.exe …
I’ve followed the procedure and it terminates the process. However, when I reboot, the process comes back and the check box is checked again.
@Kevin, perhaps is your Javascript incorrectly implemented? You could try “JavaRa” software and have it cleanup any Java inconsistencies : http://raproducts.org/
Concerning Jqs.exe, of which I had no doubt, this post got me to wonder and get further informed. It appears many posts on the Web are for the least suspicious about the ratio utility/annoyance.
I’ve disabled it consequently, first its Firefox extension then in its configuration panel (BTW, disabling from the configuration panel removed the Firefox extension that I had only disabled). System works as well and another few MB of RAM are saved.
Thanks. :-)
Thanks. This helped me out as well.
Clear explanation for that we started on this topic. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the info :)
BTW, you must have admin rights to disable Java Quick Start, or else you won’t see the JQS checkbox.
Excellent article and pictures. THANK YOU very much! :)
Wow, my poor little computer was running so slow. Disabling the quick starter made all of the difference. Thanks
Great hint, thanks a lot!
I have windows XP 3, IE 7, MSN Explorer (through Qwest communications) and while playing all my games on pogo.com everything on pogo stalls on and off while playing or chatting. If I unable jqs.exe, will it have any affect on my game playing?
Anyone please…..thank you
p.s. the java icon only shows up on my taskbar when I open up a game and disapears after I close out of my browser (just an FYI, probably doesn’t matter about my question.
Great tip, and thankyou!
Thanks,
I was wondering what it does. :P
Thank you! Great hint.
thanks a bunch!
Thanks – saved me time & worry.
Glad I found this. Especially as Java is a big piece of shit.
I’m a developer – and java is the worst language ever developed – nothing but a marketing ploy.
I find Firefox a hog. It takes like 2 minutes to start; sometimes asks for “restart old or new session?” taking another minute there, then, uses that silly Find window which uses the cursor to travel all around until you touch it, the Search Default doesn’t let you add for instance images.google or other than the restricted few Firefox wants to let you use, then you have to press enter again after you select one of those search urls, etc, etc.
I see firefox as a want-to-be coming at short.
Sorry, I know everybody loves it; but I don’t, with all the slow and weak IE is it is more comfortable.
Thanks!
Thanks for the article.
Ive got a program called NetWorx, I use it mailnly as bandwidth monitor, but it also displays programs that are accessing ports on my computer.
I get jqs.exe showing up in NetWorx as a program listening to a port. Does this mean jqs is chatting with Sun Micro or something?
If jqs’s purpose is to increase loading times why does it need to access a port on my comp? two actually. Maybe I’m not understanding what I see in the NetStat but to me it looks like jqs is waiting for remote computers to connect to it.
Thanks..!!!