Eclipse: Downloading & Enabling Javadocs

This tutorial shows you how to download the official Java 10 Standard Edition (SE) documentation (or "Javadocs"), then make it available directly in Eclipse.

  1. Go to the Java SE Downloads page.

  2. Scroll to the Additional Resources section. Hit the Download button for the Java SE 10 Documentation:

  3. Check the Accept License Agreement button (the website won't let you download the Javadocs until you so), then hit the download link:

  4. Save the Javadocs zip file in a folder of your choice. Take note of where you save the Javadocs - you'll need to know that when you connect them to Eclipse.

  5. Launch Eclipse. Go to the Window menu > Preferences:

  6. In the Preferences window, expand the Java option and select Installed JREs:

  7. On the Installed JREs panel, select the Java 10 JRE then hit the Edit... button:

  8. The JRE Definition window appears:

    • In the JRE System Libraries list box, expand the jrt-fs.jar item.

    • Select the Javadoc location (none): item, then hit the Javadoc Location... button.

  9. In the dialog box that appears:

    • Check ON the Javadoc in archive button.

    • Hit the Browse... button next to the Archive Path text box, locate the Javadocs zip file you downloaded earlier, then hit Open.

    • In the Path within archive text box, docs/api.

    • Hit OK, then hit Finish.

  10. Hit the Apply and Close button to save your changes.


Move your mouse cursor and hover over a built-in class, method, or field name. Eclipse now displays a pop-up window with that item's Javadoc entry.