You can use OpenJDK 8 or 11(specifically Eclipse Temurin 8 or 11) instead. Note that for 1.16.5, it's recommended to use Java 11 instead of 8 Answer from winter_charm on reddit.com
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Oracle
java.com › en › download › manual.jsp
Download Java
This download is for end users who need Java for running applications on desktops or laptops. Java 8 integrates with your operating system to run separately installed Java applications.
Discussions

Where can I download Java 8?
You can use OpenJDK 8 or 11(specifically Eclipse Temurin 8 or 11) instead. Note that for 1.16.5, it's recommended to use Java 11 instead of 8 More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Minecraft
4
2
July 20, 2021
macos - How to install Java 8 on Mac - Stack Overflow
People not already using Home-brew can simply download a Mac installer from a trusted source. You have multiple sources to obtain an easy-to-use installer app to put Java on your Mac. Run the installer on your Mac just as you do for many other apps. Here is a flowchart diagram for finding a source of Java 11, some of which also offer Java 8... More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
When I go to download Java from Oracle it's Java 8
The latest released version is 20. See our section "Where should I download Java?" on the sidebar for some links to OpenJDK distributions. Oracle changed their licensing of their own JDK a while ago, so Java 8 is the last one you can really freely use from Oracle if I am not mistaken. Just use one of the OpenJDK ones, they are essentially the same. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/javahelp
8
2
January 21, 2023
Can't download Java 8 without an Oracle account?
Adopt OpenJDK . More on reddit.com
🌐 r/learnjava
9
4
December 26, 2018
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Oracle
java.com › moreinfo8
Free Java Update 8
October 21, 2025 - The Oracle Technology Network License ... use, at no cost -- but other uses authorized under prior Oracle Java licenses may no longer be available. Please review the terms carefully before downloading and using this product....
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/minecraft › where can i download java 8?
r/Minecraft on Reddit: Where can I download Java 8?
July 20, 2021 -

I want to use forge for 1.16.5 since the mods I really want are only on that version, and I can just mod in 1.17 stuff. I'm on a new laptop, and it didn't have any Java stuff installed. I installed the latest version of Java fine, but it turns out it was the wrong one for what I needed and only works with Forge 1.17.1 and 1.17.1 JAR files.

I found the link to get the Java SE Development Kit 8 Download, but this time it's asking me to log in to do it. Alright, sure, not that big a deal, I'll make an account.

The problem is, to make an Oracle account I apparently need to give them my work information?! Never mind that I'm a stay-at-home spouse so I couldn't even if I wanted to. I'm certainly not giving them my personal home info. Here's the create an account page so you can see exactly what I mean. It's all required info to create an account.

Is there a way to create an account without all this nonsense? Or possibly somewhere else I can download Java 8?

EDIT: Bonus question--of all the available mods for backporting 1.17 stuff, are there any specific ones y'all would recommend? I've found, like, five.

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Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › windows_manual_download.html
How do I manually download and install Java for my Windows computer?
This will download an executable file (example: jre-8u333-windows-i586-iftw.exe) to the default download location on the local system Note: You can opt to save this file to any other known location on your local system for later installation.
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Oracle
oracle.com › java › technical details
Java SE 8 Archive Downloads (JDK 8u211 and later)
For current Java releases, please visit Oracle Java SE Downloads. This software is licensed under the Oracle Technology Network License Agreement for Oracle Java SE · JDK 8u461 checksums and OL 9 GPG Keys for RPMs.
Find elsewhere
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Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › java8.html
Information about Java 8
Java 8 is the latest release for ... available to developers to give adequate time for testing and certification before being made available on the java.com website for end users to download......
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Azul Systems
azul.com › home › azul downloads
Java 8, 11, 17, 21, 25 Download for Linux, Windows and macOS
September 23, 2025 - Click here to download the Azul Zulu Builds of OpenJDK for Java 8, 11, 17, 21, 25 for Linux, Windows and macOS. Also download Azul Platform Prime.
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › java › openjdk › download
Download the Microsoft Build of OpenJDK | Microsoft Learn
October 27, 2025 - Supported installation methods ... .sig files. If you still require Java 8, you can download any of the Eclipse Temurin builds of OpenJDK 8 from the Eclipse Adoptium project....
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Bell Software
bell-sw.com › pages › downloads
Java Download | Java 8, Java 11, Java 17, Java 21, Java 25 - OpenJDK Builds for Linux, Windows & macOS
Download Liberica JDK, supported OpenJDK builds. Open source Java 8, 11 and more for Linux, Windows, macOS.
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Oracle
java.com › zh-CN
Java | Oracle
Oracle Java 是第一大编程语言和开发平台。它有助于企业降低成本、缩短开发周期、推动创新以及改善应用程序服务。Java 现在仍是企业和开发人员的首选开发平台。 · 面向使用台式机和笔记本电脑的最终用户
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OpenLogic
openlogic.com › openjdk-downloads
OpenJDK Downloads | OpenLogic
In August 2019, OpenLogic recognized that the current state of Java WebStart technology in OpenJDK was not as capable as the Oracle JDK equivalent. The build was missing critical functionality such as site exceptions, jar key matching, Windows Proxy settings, and other functions. OpenLogic added functionality to IcedTea-Web to bring parity with Oracle’s WebStart distribution. These upgrades were accepted into IcedTea-Web 2.0. OpenLogic now provides free, quarterly builds of OpenJDK 8, OpenJDK 11, OpenJDK 17, and OpenJDK 21 for Linux, Windows, and MacOS.
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Oracle
oracle.com › java › technologies › downloads
Download the Latest Java LTS Free
These downloads can be used for development, personal use, or within Oracle Cloud. Use for other purposes, including production or commercial use, requires a Java SE subscription product. Commercial license and support are available for a low cost with Java SE Universal Subscription. Java 8 Enterprise Performance Pack is licensed under the Oracle Technology Network License Agreement for Oracle Java SE.
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Cirad
capsis.cirad.fr › capsis › documentation › java_8_installation_page
Java 8 installation [Capsis]
May 7, 2024 - Oracle JDK 8 from the Oracle page or from the Oracle java 1.8 download archives (needs registration, Windows, Linux and MacOSX available)
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Red Hat
developers.redhat.com › products › openjdk › download
Download the Red Hat Build of OpenJDK | Red Hat Developer
March 31, 2025 - Download the Red Hat Build of OpenJDK at no-cost. The Red Hat build of OpenJDK is an open source implementation of the Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE)
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Datacore
docs.datacore.com › vFilO › vFilo › Encryption › Java_8_Installation.htm
Java 8 Installation
Install Oracle Java 8 Java Runtime Environment (JRE): Navigate in a web browser to the Oracle Java SE Downloads page at: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html, scroll down until you find the entry for the latest Java SE 8 update, and click the JRE Download button.