What is the next-generation Java Plug-in and how can i switch between the old Java plug-in and new Java plug-in?

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What is next-generation Java Plug-in and how can I switch between the old Java plug-in and new Java plug-in?

This article applies to:

Platform(s): Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP
Browser(s): Internet Explorer, Firefox
Java version(s): 6.0, 6u10+

Java 6 Update 10 (6u10) includes implementation of the next-generation Java Plug-in.

The next-generation Java Plug-In features:

Improved Windows support
Improved reliability and user experience
Improved Java/JavaScript communications
Built-in JNLP support

The Next-generation Java Plug-in - Windows

The next-generation Java Plug-in is enabled by default. However if there are issues running applets with the next-generation Java Plug-in, the user can switch to the old Java plug-in without any manual manipulation of the windows registry and moving files.

Configure the Java Plug-in through the Java Control Panel

Find the Java Control Panel

Windows XP

Click on the Start button and then click on the Control Panel option.
Double click on the Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.

Windows 7, Vista

Click on the Start button and then click on the Control Panel option.
In the Control Panel Search enter Java Control Panel.
Click on the Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.

Windows 8
Use search to find the Control Panel

Press Windows logo key + W to open the Search charm to search settings
OR
Drag the Mouse pointer to the bottom-right corner of the screen, then click on the Search icon.
In the search box enter Java Control Panel
Click on Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.

Mac OS X 10.7.3 and above

Click on Apple icon on upper left of screen.
Go to System Preferences
Click on the Java icon to access the Java Control Panel.

Enable or Disable Plug-in for the Internet Explorer browser

In the Java Control Panel, click on the Advanced tab.
Expand the Java Plug-in option.
Select the check box for Enable next-generation Java Plug-in.
Click the OK button and restart the system.

Enable or Disable Plug-in for the Firefox 3.6 and above

Launch the Firefox browser
Click on the Tools > Add-ons Manager > Plugins > Java plugin
Click on the Enable button if the Java plugin is disabled.
Restart the browser

Note: Please visit Java Plug-in for Firefox (Mozilla) for more information.