Java Error opening registry key

I get this error when I try to do anything with Java in command prompt:

Error opening registry key 'SoftwareJavaSoftJava Runtime Environment.3'
Error: could not find Java.dll
Error: could not find Java 2 Runtime Environment

I did screw around with deleting Java directories and registry a few days ago. I restarted computer and java was still working fine, then i restarted it again today and now I get this error. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling but that doesn’t seem to work. I have the latest java JRE installed and the path set in the environment variables. Anyone have any clue how to fix this?

Answer

Make sure you remove any java.exe, javaw.exe and javaws.exe from your WindowsSystem32 folder and if you have an x64 system (Win 7 64 bits) also do the same under WindowsSysWOW64.

If you can’t find them at these locations, try deleting them from C:ProgramDataOracleJavajavapath.