javaw.exe is very similar to java.exe. Both aj launchers for Java programs.
The difference is that java.exe is for Windows character subsystem and javaw.exe is for Windows GUI subsystem which means that javaw.exe does not have console window and java.exe does (there is no difference in capability to use GUI - both can use Swing/AWT).
javaw is only for Windows. Other platforms do not need it. [ November 10, 2006: Message edited by: Vlado Zajac ]