Unable to re-enable Java Web Start with Apple Java 6

I'm unable to perform the simlink to re-enable the Java 6 web start. We have a web app that uses this so it's not able to run. I'm using the Apple Java 6 release that is supposedly compatible with El Capitan available here: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572 and following these instructions https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202643 to re-enable Web Start, however I get the following error:


➜ ~ sudo ln -sf /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Commands/javaws /usr/bin/javaws

Password:

ln: /usr/bin/javaws: Operation not permitted


Anyone have a workaround for this?


Thanks!

Replies

Have the same problem here. Please provide a workaround.

This issue is caused by El-Capitan has the "rootless", a.k.a. System Integrity Protection, mode enabled by default. When the "rootless" mode is activated, many commands including the ln -s (symlink) is prohibited, regardless whether they are executed under the admin or root privilege.


Here is a reliable way to disable the "rootless" mode:

  1. Reboot MacBook and press Command-R to enter Recovery Mode
  2. Once in Recovery Mode, open Utilities > Terminal
  3. Enter crsutil disable
  4. Reboot normally

Once the machine is rebooted, you'll be able to execute any commands without restrictions, including sudo ln -sf /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Commands/javaws /usr/bin/javaws

It is recommended to reenable the "rootless" mode again after you've done with the task.