This is where JNLP services prove to be useful. Web Start application containers can offer any or all of the JNLP services, and good applications degrade gracefully when services are unavailable.

Since JNLP files are simply Java Web Start files that open applications through an Internet browser, any browser that works in Windows 8.1 will open a JNLP file as long as you have Java installed.

Java Web Start allows Java applications to be launched via a link to a JNLP file. The JNLP file describes the main method or entry point into the application and it references the resources used ...

A mechanism for delivering full-blown Java applications from a Web server. The programs are initially downloaded using the browser but are run outside of the browser. Contrast with Java applets ...