NativeJ is a powerful Java EXE maker. The executable generated by NativeJ is uniquely customized to launch your Java application under Windows. NativeJ is not a compiler! Think of NativeJ-generated executables as supercharged "binary batch files", with the following benefits:

Custom icon. Each executable is represented by a unique icon, just like native apps.

Native behaviour. When the user double-clicks on the EXE to run your application, there won't be an annoying console window popping up briefly.

Faster startup. Executing a batch file involves a great deal of overhead, including loading the command processor and parsing the batch file. The native EXE loads the JVM directly, resulting in snappier program startup.

Native splash screen. Display a splash screen of your choice immediately upon startup while your application loads.

Unique process name. When viewed in the task list, the user sees tomcat.exe, or jedit.exe, instead of the nondescript java.exe, or javaw.exe. This is particularly important for personal firewall programs, which depend on unique process names to trigger the appropriate filter rules.

Multiple instance support. Prevent a second instance of your application from running, or let the second instance activate the first instance (with parameter passing).

Install as service. NativeJ generates executables that can be installed as a Win32 service natively, with the ability to specify dependencies.


Executing a batch file requires first loading up the command processor, which steps through each line of the batch file before it encounters the line which calls the Java frontend java.exe or javaw.exe. This frontend imposes further overhead as it parses the command-line arguments before loading the JVM with the proper parameters. The native launchers generated by NativeJ eliminates all these overhead and load the JVM directly, resulting in snappier program loading.