Go to the Java Control Panel that is installed along with the runtime, and in the Security section uncheck the option to "Enable Java content in the browser," which will disable the browser plug-in.

The latest version of the Java Control Panel for Windows has a checkbox under the Security tab labeled "Enable Java content in the browser". Uncheck that and all your browsers should be Java-free.

Disable Java content in the browser through Java Control Panel & Reinstall Java Go to Start and open Control Panel. In the Control Panel, click on Java icon to open Java Control Panel.

The US CERT points out that in Java 7 Update 10, it is possible to disable Java content in web browsers through the Java control panel applet.

Run javacpl.exe to load Java's control panel and select the Security tab. Uncheck the box that says "Enable Java content in the browser." Then restart any browsers you have running.

Updates also should be available via the Java Control Panel or from Java.com. If you really need and use Java for specific Web sites or applications, take a few minutes to update this software.

If you do need it, unplug it from the browser unless and until you need it. Java 7 lets users disable Java content in web browsers through the Java control panel applet.

Java 7u10 seems to make things easier by providing users with a central and persistent option for controlling Web-based Java content regardless of how many browsers they use. In addition, the new ...

A recent Java 7 update allows users to completely prevent Java applications from running inside browsers or to restrict how Web-based Java content is handled by the Java Runtime Environment client.