How to use Java Plugin in Browser with JDK within Mountain Lion OSX?

Question

I do not see any Java Preferences.app in my Utilities directory.

I run a java -version in command line, there was nothing and prompted me to install version 1.6 from apple. It installs successfully.

I do not see any Java related application in my Utilities directory. I open up a web browser (Safari) and see "Missing Plug-in" in place of where any applet should be.

How do I enable the applet from my Java installation?

(On an aside, is it possible to use Java 7 JDK from Oracle such that the browser can recognize it and use it to resolve the "Missing Plugin issue", would prefer Java 7 over Java 6 anyday..)

Answer 1

Taken from this Apple support article titled,

"How to re-enable the Apple-provided Java SE 6 applet plug-in and Web Start functionality"

1. Open Terminal, located in the Utilities folder.

2. Enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key:

   sudo mkdir -p /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/disabled

3. Enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key:

   sudo mv /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/disabled

4. Enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key:

   sudo ln -sf /System/Library/Java/Support/Deploy.bundle/Contents/Resources/JavaPlugin2_NPAPI.plugin /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin

5. To re-enable Java SE 6 Web Start, enter this command, then press the Return or Enter key:

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