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
oracle.com › java › technologies › javase › javase8-archive-downloads.html
Java SE 8 Archive Downloads (JDK 8u202 and earlier)
This page includes archive downloads for Java SE 8u202 and earlier. The archive downloads for Java SE 8u211 and later updates are available, under the Java SE OTN License. The JDK is a development environment for building applications using the Java programming language.
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OpenJDK
openjdk.org › projects › jdk8
JDK 8
Feature releases of the JDK are now produced by the JDK Project. Discussion about the JDK may be found on jdk-dev. The goal of this Project was to produce an open-source reference implementation of the Java SE 8 Platform Specification defined by JSR 337 in the Java Community Process.
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 17, 2021
Can't download Java 8 without an Oracle account?
Adopt OpenJDK . More on reddit.com
🌐 r/learnjava
9
4
December 23, 2018
[deleted by user]
Firstly, all code becomes legacy at some point. The more successful the code is the more legacy it becomes. Secondly, the more change and backwards incompatibilities java (or any language) is created, the harder it is to move successful legacy code forward. Thirdly, if changes are not compelling, then the motivation to move forward is hard to justify. In summary its a risk / reward issue. As an example, we maintain 8 million lines of java code originally written on Java 4 now running on Java 8. Migration went from 4 to 6, 6 to 8. Lots of cost and regression testing each time. Currently, there is nothing driving a move forward to 11 or beyond. We evaluate the move quite often, but no real benefit has come to lite. On a personal note, i believe there are a lot of great features in the java forward versions beyond 8, more in the latest versions 16. But it would be a heavy lift to get there. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/java
159
63
June 9, 2020
Opend JDK 8
https://adoptopenjdk.net/ More on reddit.com
🌐 r/javahelp
12
12
February 19, 2019
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Adoptium
adoptium.net › temurin › releases
Download Temurin® JDK
Pick a version, package type, JDK/JRE, and download the binaries. All VersionsJDK 25 - LTSJDK 21 - LTSJDK 17 - LTSJDK 11 - LTSJDK 8 - LTS
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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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Reddit
reddit.com › r/minecraft › where can i download java 8?
r/Minecraft on Reddit: Where can I download Java 8?
July 17, 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.

Find elsewhere
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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 › 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.
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Oracle
oracle.com › java › technologies › downloads
Download the Latest Java LTS Free
Java SE subscribers will receive JDK 8 updates until at least December 2030.
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Oracle
oracle.com › java › technologies › java se
Java 8 Central
Java 8 is a revolutionary release ... evolution of the JVM, Java language, and libraries. Java 8 includes features for productivity, ease of use, improved polyglot programming, security and improved performance....
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Adoptium
adoptium.net › temurin › releases
Latest Releases | Adoptium
Pick a version, package type, JDK/JRE, and download the binaries. All VersionsJDK 25 - LTSJDK 21 - LTSJDK 17 - LTSJDK 11 - LTSJDK 8 - LTS
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Azul Systems
azul.com › home › azul downloads
Java 8, 11, 17, 21, 25 Download for Linux, Windows and macOS
January 30, 2023 - 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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Oracle
java.com › en › download › java8_update.jsp
Free Java Update 8
Oracle also provides the latest ... at jdk.java.net. Your system currently has an older version of Java and you are receiving this update notification because a newer version has been automatically detected. This release addresses security concerns. Oracle strongly recommends that all Java SE 8 users upgrade ...
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Oracle
docs.oracle.com › javase › 8 › docs › technotes › guides › install › install_overview.html
JDK 8 and JRE 8 Installation Start Here
October 20, 2025 - This page gives access to instructions for installing the JDK and JRE on Oracle Solaris, Windows, Linux, and macOS computers.
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › java › openjdk › download
Download the Microsoft Build of OpenJDK | Microsoft Learn
1 month ago - 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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Oracle
oracle.com › java › technical details
JDK 8 for ARM - Download
Please visit our JDK 8 download page to get the latest version of the JDK for ARM.
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Apache NetBeans
netbeans.apache.org › tutorial › main › kb › docs › java › javase-jdk8
Overview of JDK 8 Support in NetBeans IDE
NetBeans IDE supports JDK 8 features, such as lambda expressions, repeatable annotations, compact profiles, etc. When these constructs are used in your code, the IDE recognizes them, correctly highlights errors, and lets you automatically fix syntax.
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OpenJDK
openjdk.org
OpenJDK
JDK 8 Updates · JDK 9 · JDK (…, 25, 26, 27) JDK Updates · JMC · Jigsaw · Kona · Lanai · Leyden · Lilliput · Locale Enhancement · Loom · Memory Model Update · Metropolis · Multi-Language VM · Nashorn · New I/O · OpenJFX · Panama · Penrose · Port: AArch32 ·
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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 - jdk-8u472-x64 ZIP · OpenJDK 8 Windows 64-bit · Release date October 23, 2025 · Download (171.83 MB) jdk-8u472-x64 MSI · OpenJDK 8 Windows 64-bit · Release date October 23, 2025 · Download (171.6 MB) jre-8u472-x64 ZIP · JRE 8 Windows 64-bit · Release date October 23, 2025 ·