Installation instructions on a Mac

Adjusting your keyboard language

While using the software for this course, your computer’s keyboard language must be set to English. If needed, please follow these instructions to change your keyboard language.

Installing the VS Code Coding Pack for Java

1. Click on the following link to download the installer: https://aka.ms/vscode-java-installer-mac

2. If you receive an error message that says you are downloading from an unsafe or unknown site, you’ll need to change your security preferences, at least temporarily, by taking the steps outlined in the Lowering security settings section below.

3. Go to your Downloads folder and find the downloaded file. Its name should begin with JavaCodingPack and end with .zip.

4. Double-click on the .zip file, which should produce a file named Coding Pack for Java.

5. Double-click on Coding Pack for Java to start the installer. If prompted to do so, click Run.

6. You should be able to use all of the default settings that the installer gives you. Wait for it to complete the installation and then click Finish. You can now delete the installer program.

7. To launch the program, use the Spotlight tool to search for and and run Visual Studio Code.

Lowering security settings

OS X may stop you from downloading or running applications downloaded from the Web (as opposed to through the Mac App Store) unless you lower your security settings. Here’s how to adjust them so that you may install and run applications from anywhere:

1. Open System Preferences, located under the Apple menu in the top left corner.
2. In the Security & Privacy preference pane, click the lock icon and authenticate as an administrator user.
3. Make sure the radio button under Allow applications downloaded from: is set to Anywhere.
4. Re-download or re-open the desired application.

Last updated on January 16, 2026.