actions · gsmet · Jun 12, 2026
@@ -545,3 +545,77 @@ jobs:
       - name: Verify Java
         run: bash __tests__/verify-java.sh "17.0.10" "${{ steps.setup-java.outputs.path }}"
         shell: bash
+
+  setup-java-set-default:
+    name: set-default option - ${{ matrix.os }}
+    needs: setup-java-major-versions
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: [macos-latest, windows-latest, ubuntu-latest]
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - name: Setup Java 17 as default
+        uses: ./
+        id: setup-java-17
+        with:
+          distribution: 'temurin'
+          java-version: '17'
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+      - name: Setup Java 21 without setting as default
+        uses: ./
+        id: setup-java-21
+        with:
+          distribution: 'temurin'
+          java-version: '21'
+          set-default: false
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+      - name: Verify JAVA_HOME still points to Java 17
+        run: |
+          echo "JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_HOME"
+          echo "Java 17 path=${{ steps.setup-java-17.outputs.path }}"
+          if [ "$JAVA_HOME" != "${{ steps.setup-java-17.outputs.path }}" ]; then
+            echo "JAVA_HOME should still point to Java 17"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+        shell: bash
+      - name: Verify java -version reports Java 17
+        run: |
+          JAVA_VERSION=$(java -version 2>&1 | head -1)
+          echo "java -version: $JAVA_VERSION"
+          if ! echo "$JAVA_VERSION" | grep -q "17"; then
+            echo "Default java should still be version 17"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+        shell: bash
+      - name: Verify JAVA_HOME_21 env var is set
+        run: |
+          $envName = "JAVA_HOME_21_${env:RUNNER_ARCH}"
+          $JavaVersionPath = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable($envName)
+          if (-not $JavaVersionPath) {
+            Write-Host "$envName is not set"
+            exit 1
+          }
+          if (-not (Test-Path "$JavaVersionPath")) {
+            Write-Host "$envName path does not exist: $JavaVersionPath"
+            exit 1
+          }
+          Write-Host "$envName=$JavaVersionPath"
+        shell: pwsh
+      - name: Verify Java 21 outputs are set
+        run: |
+          echo "Java 21 path=${{ steps.setup-java-21.outputs.path }}"
+          echo "Java 21 version=${{ steps.setup-java-21.outputs.version }}"
+          if [ -z "${{ steps.setup-java-21.outputs.path }}" ]; then
+            echo "Java 21 path output should be set"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          if [ -z "${{ steps.setup-java-21.outputs.version }}" ]; then
+            echo "Java 21 version output should be set"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+        shell: bash
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ For information about the latest releases, recent updates, and newly supported d
 
   - `check-latest`: Setting this option makes the action to check for the latest available version for the version spec.
 
+  - `set-default`: Set to `false` to install a JDK without making it the default. When `false`, `JAVA_HOME` and `PATH` are not updated, but `JAVA_HOME_<major>_<arch>` is still set so the JDK remains discoverable. Default value: `true`. See [Installing JDK without setting as default](docs/advanced-usage.md#Installing-JDK-without-setting-as-default) for more details.
+
   - `cache`: Quick [setup caching](#caching-packages-dependencies) for the dependencies managed through one of the predefined package managers. It can be one of "maven", "gradle" or "sbt".
 
   - `cache-dependency-path`: The path to a dependency file: pom.xml, build.gradle, build.sbt, etc. This option can be used with the `cache` option. If this option is omitted, the action searches for the dependency file in the entire repository. This option supports wildcards and a list of file names for caching multiple dependencies.

@@ -545,6 +545,107 @@ describe('setupJava', () => {
     expect(spyCoreExportVariable).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(spyCoreSetOutput).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
+
+  it('should not set JAVA_HOME and PATH when setDefault is false', async () => {
+    mockJavaBase = new EmptyJavaBase({
+      version: '11',
+      architecture: 'x86',
+      packageType: 'jdk',
+      checkLatest: false,
+      setDefault: false
+    });
+    await expect(mockJavaBase.setupJava()).resolves.toEqual({
+      version: installedJavaVersion,
+      path: javaPath
+    });
+    expect(spyCoreExportVariable).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'JAVA_HOME',
+      expect.anything()
+    );
+    expect(spyCoreAddPath).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(spyCoreExportVariable).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'JAVA_HOME_11_X86',
+      javaPath
+    );
+    expect(spyCoreSetOutput).toHaveBeenCalledWith('version', installedJavaVersion);
+    expect(spyCoreSetOutput).toHaveBeenCalledWith('path', javaPath);
+    expect(spyCoreSetOutput).toHaveBeenCalledWith('distribution', 'Empty');
+    expect(spyCoreInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      `Installing Java ${installedJavaVersion} (not setting as default)`
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should set JAVA_HOME and PATH when setDefault is true', async () => {
+    mockJavaBase = new EmptyJavaBase({
+      version: '11',
+      architecture: 'x86',
+      packageType: 'jdk',
+      checkLatest: false,
+      setDefault: true
+    });
+    await expect(mockJavaBase.setupJava()).resolves.toEqual({
+      version: installedJavaVersion,
+      path: javaPath
+    });
+    expect(spyCoreExportVariable).toHaveBeenCalledWith('JAVA_HOME', javaPath);
+    expect(spyCoreAddPath).toHaveBeenCalledWith(path.join(javaPath, 'bin'));
+    expect(spyCoreExportVariable).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'JAVA_HOME_11_X86',
+      javaPath
+    );
+    expect(spyCoreInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      `Setting Java ${installedJavaVersion} as the default`
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should default to setting as default when setDefault is not specified', async () => {
+    mockJavaBase = new EmptyJavaBase({
+      version: '11',
+      architecture: 'x86',
+      packageType: 'jdk',
+      checkLatest: false
+    });
+    await expect(mockJavaBase.setupJava()).resolves.toEqual({
+      version: installedJavaVersion,
+      path: javaPath
+    });
+    expect(spyCoreExportVariable).toHaveBeenCalledWith('JAVA_HOME', javaPath);
+    expect(spyCoreAddPath).toHaveBeenCalledWith(path.join(javaPath, 'bin'));
+    expect(spyCoreInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      `Setting Java ${installedJavaVersion} as the default`
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should download and not set default when setDefault is false', async () => {
+    mockJavaBase = new EmptyJavaBase({
+      version: '11',
+      architecture: 'x64',
+      packageType: 'jdk',
+      checkLatest: false,
+      setDefault: false
+    });
+    await expect(mockJavaBase.setupJava()).resolves.toEqual({
+      version: '11.0.9',
+      path: path.join('toolcache', 'Java_Empty_jdk', '11.0.9', 'x64')
+    });
+    expect(spyCoreExportVariable).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'JAVA_HOME',
+      expect.anything()
+    );
+    expect(spyCoreAddPath).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(spyCoreExportVariable).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'JAVA_HOME_11_X64',
+      path.join('toolcache', 'Java_Empty_jdk', '11.0.9', 'x64')
+    );
+    expect(spyCoreSetOutput).toHaveBeenCalledWith('version', '11.0.9');
+    expect(spyCoreSetOutput).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'path',
+      path.join('toolcache', 'Java_Empty_jdk', '11.0.9', 'x64')
+    );
+    expect(spyCoreInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'Installing Java 11.0.9 (not setting as default)'
+    );
+  });
 });
 
 describe('normalizeVersion', () => {

@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ inputs:
     description: 'Set this option if you want the action to check for the latest available version that satisfies the version spec'
     required: false
     default: false
+  set-default:
+    description: 'Set this option to false if you want to install a JDK but not make it the default. When false, JAVA_HOME and PATH are not updated, but JAVA_HOME_<major>_<arch> is still set.'
+    required: false
+    default: true
   server-id:
     description: 'ID of the distributionManagement repository in the pom.xml
        file. Default is `github`'

@@ -51975,7 +51975,7 @@ else {
 "use strict";
 
 Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true }));
-exports.DISTRIBUTIONS_ONLY_MAJOR_VERSION = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_VENDOR = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID = exports.MVN_TOOLCHAINS_FILE = exports.MVN_SETTINGS_FILE = exports.M2_DIR = exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = exports.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = exports.INPUT_CACHE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_OVERWRITE_SETTINGS = exports.INPUT_SETTINGS_PATH = exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = exports.INPUT_ARCHITECTURE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = void 0;
+exports.DISTRIBUTIONS_ONLY_MAJOR_VERSION = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_VENDOR = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID = exports.MVN_TOOLCHAINS_FILE = exports.MVN_SETTINGS_FILE = exports.M2_DIR = exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = exports.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = exports.INPUT_CACHE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_OVERWRITE_SETTINGS = exports.INPUT_SETTINGS_PATH = exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = exports.INPUT_SET_DEFAULT = exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = exports.INPUT_ARCHITECTURE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = void 0;
 exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = 'Contents/Home';
 exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = 'java-version';
 exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = 'java-version-file';
@@ -51984,6 +51984,7 @@ exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = 'java-package';
 exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = 'distribution';
 exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = 'jdkFile';
 exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = 'check-latest';
+exports.INPUT_SET_DEFAULT = 'set-default';
 exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = 'server-id';
 exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = 'server-username';
 exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = 'server-password';

@@ -77734,7 +77734,7 @@ function isProbablyGradleDaemonProblem(packageManager, error) {
 "use strict";
 
 Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true }));
-exports.DISTRIBUTIONS_ONLY_MAJOR_VERSION = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_VENDOR = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID = exports.MVN_TOOLCHAINS_FILE = exports.MVN_SETTINGS_FILE = exports.M2_DIR = exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = exports.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = exports.INPUT_CACHE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_OVERWRITE_SETTINGS = exports.INPUT_SETTINGS_PATH = exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = exports.INPUT_ARCHITECTURE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = void 0;
+exports.DISTRIBUTIONS_ONLY_MAJOR_VERSION = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_VENDOR = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID = exports.MVN_TOOLCHAINS_FILE = exports.MVN_SETTINGS_FILE = exports.M2_DIR = exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = exports.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = exports.INPUT_CACHE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_OVERWRITE_SETTINGS = exports.INPUT_SETTINGS_PATH = exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = exports.INPUT_SET_DEFAULT = exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = exports.INPUT_ARCHITECTURE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = void 0;
 exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = 'Contents/Home';
 exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = 'java-version';
 exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = 'java-version-file';
@@ -77743,6 +77743,7 @@ exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = 'java-package';
 exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = 'distribution';
 exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = 'jdkFile';
 exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = 'check-latest';
+exports.INPUT_SET_DEFAULT = 'set-default';
 exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = 'server-id';
 exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = 'server-username';
 exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = 'server-password';
@@ -78042,6 +78043,7 @@ const constants_1 = __nccwpck_require__(69042);
 const os_1 = __importDefault(__nccwpck_require__(22037));
 class JavaBase {
     constructor(distribution, installerOptions) {
+        var _a;
         this.distribution = distribution;
         this.http = new httpm.HttpClient('actions/setup-java', undefined, {
             allowRetries: true,
@@ -78051,6 +78053,7 @@ class JavaBase {
         this.architecture = installerOptions.architecture || os_1.default.arch();
         this.packageType = installerOptions.packageType;
         this.checkLatest = installerOptions.checkLatest;
+        this.setDefault = (_a = installerOptions.setDefault) !== null && _a !== void 0 ? _a : true;
     }
     setupJava() {
         var _a, _b;
@@ -78166,8 +78169,14 @@ class JavaBase {
             if (process.platform === 'darwin' && fs.existsSync(macOSPostfixPath)) {
                 foundJava.path = macOSPostfixPath;
             }
-            core.info(`Setting Java ${foundJava.version} as the default`);
-            this.setJavaDefault(foundJava.version, foundJava.path);
+            if (this.setDefault) {
+                core.info(`Setting Java ${foundJava.version} as the default`);
+                this.setJavaDefault(foundJava.version, foundJava.path);
+            }
+            else {
+                core.info(`Installing Java ${foundJava.version} (not setting as default)`);
+                this.setJavaEnvironment(foundJava.version, foundJava.path);
+            }
             return foundJava;
         });
     }
@@ -78273,6 +78282,13 @@ class JavaBase {
         core.setOutput('version', version);
         core.exportVariable(`JAVA_HOME_${majorVersion}_${this.architecture.toUpperCase()}`, toolPath);
     }
+    setJavaEnvironment(version, toolPath) {
+        const majorVersion = version.split('.')[0];
+        core.setOutput('distribution', this.distribution);
+        core.setOutput('path', toolPath);
+        core.setOutput('version', version);
+        core.exportVariable(`JAVA_HOME_${majorVersion}_${this.architecture.toUpperCase()}`, toolPath);
+    }
     distributionArchitecture() {
         // default mappings of config architectures to distribution architectures
         // override if a distribution uses any different names; see liberica for an example
@@ -79464,8 +79480,14 @@ class LocalDistribution extends base_installer_1.JavaBase {
             if (process.platform === 'darwin' && fs_1.default.existsSync(macOSPostfixPath)) {
                 foundJava.path = macOSPostfixPath;
             }
-            core.info(`Setting Java ${foundJava.version} as default`);
-            this.setJavaDefault(foundJava.version, foundJava.path);
+            if (this.setDefault) {
+                core.info(`Setting Java ${foundJava.version} as the default`);
+                this.setJavaDefault(foundJava.version, foundJava.path);
+            }
+            else {
+                core.info(`Installing Java ${foundJava.version} (not setting as default)`);
+                this.setJavaEnvironment(foundJava.version, foundJava.path);
+            }
             return foundJava;
         });
     }
@@ -80689,6 +80711,7 @@ function run() {
             const cache = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_CACHE);
             const cacheDependencyPath = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH);
             const checkLatest = (0, util_1.getBooleanInput)(constants.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST, false);
+            const setDefault = (0, util_1.getBooleanInput)(constants.INPUT_SET_DEFAULT, true);
             let toolchainIds = core.getMultilineInput(constants.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID);
             core.startGroup('Installed distributions');
             if (versions.length !== toolchainIds.length) {
@@ -80701,6 +80724,7 @@ function run() {
                 architecture,
                 packageType,
                 checkLatest,
+                setDefault,
                 distributionName,
                 jdkFile,
                 toolchainIds
@@ -80734,11 +80758,12 @@ function run() {
 run();
 function installVersion(version, options, toolchainId = 0) {
     return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
-        const { distributionName, jdkFile, architecture, packageType, checkLatest, toolchainIds } = options;
+        const { distributionName, jdkFile, architecture, packageType, checkLatest, setDefault, toolchainIds } = options;
         const installerOptions = {
             architecture,
             packageType,
             checkLatest,
+            setDefault,
             version
         };
         const distribution = (0, distribution_factory_1.getJavaDistribution)(distributionName, installerOptions, jdkFile);

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
   - [JetBrains](#JetBrains)
 - [Installing custom Java package type](#Installing-custom-Java-package-type)
 - [Installing custom Java architecture](#Installing-custom-Java-architecture)
+- [Installing JDK without setting as default](#Installing-JDK-without-setting-as-default)
 - [Installing custom Java distribution from local file](#Installing-Java-from-local-file)
 - [Testing against different Java distributions](#Testing-against-different-Java-distributions)
 - [Testing against different platforms](#Testing-against-different-platforms)
@@ -241,6 +242,32 @@ steps:
 - run: java -cp java HelloWorldApp
 ```
 
+## Installing JDK without setting as default
+
+When installing multiple JDKs, the last one installed becomes the default (`JAVA_HOME`, `PATH`). Use the `set-default` option to install a JDK without overriding the default. The installed JDK is still discoverable via the `JAVA_HOME_<major>_<arch>` environment variable (e.g. `JAVA_HOME_21_X64`).
+
+```yaml
+steps:
+- uses: actions/checkout@v6
+- uses: actions/setup-java@v5
+  with:
+    distribution: 'temurin'
+    java-version: '17'
+- uses: actions/setup-java@v5
+  id: setup-java-21
+  with:
+    distribution: 'temurin'
+    java-version: '21'
+    set-default: false
+- run: |
+    echo "Default java:"
+    java -version
+    echo "Java 21 home: $JAVA_HOME_21_X64"
+    echo "Java 21 path from output: ${{ steps.setup-java-21.outputs.path }}"
+```
+
+In this example, `JAVA_HOME` and `java` on `PATH` point to Java 17, while Java 21 is available via `JAVA_HOME_21_X64` or the step output `path`.
+
 ## Installing Java from local file
 If your use-case requires a custom distribution or a version that is not provided by setup-java, you can download it manually and setup-java will take care of the installation and caching on the VM:
 

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ export const INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = 'java-package';
 export const INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = 'distribution';
 export const INPUT_JDK_FILE = 'jdkFile';
 export const INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = 'check-latest';
+export const INPUT_SET_DEFAULT = 'set-default';
 export const INPUT_SERVER_ID = 'server-id';
 export const INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = 'server-username';
 export const INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = 'server-password';