Let me first tell you I've never tried doing this before so I don't how much I'll be.I will still attempt to help after all these a beginner forum so we can figure things out together right?First I would say java is designed so that as long as you the JVM is on the machine a program does not need to be install it just be ran, howeverI would think you could (for windows) copy Program.class or.jar file to programs directorythat should allow it to show in there programs folder on the start menu.this would likely require them to have administrator right however. The page which JK Robbins linked to no doubt points to various Java installers which you could use. However there's another way to install Java applications: Java Web Start. Using JWS you can put your application on a server along with a configuration file which says what version of the JVM it requires, what associated jar files it requires, and so on. The user clicks on a link which causes a download to start; this download ensures your machine has a suitable version of the JVM, downloads your application, and runs it. It can optionally create links in the start menu and on the desktop, and it can also be configured to check for updates whenever somebody runs the application. I have started using IzPack.
Izpack Java Installer
And am successfully using it.But there is one problem,I am not able to create shortcut using it.I have studied the forms related to the problem.I have Izpack's latest version.I have put tag,shortcutSpec.xml.But still it is not working.Also I have added shortcut panel.but installer that is created, doesn't show shortcut form while installation process.given blow is my install.xmlSample Installation1.4 beta 666;The base filesThe documentationThe sourcesthis is shortcutspec.xml.