   How to Convert a Java Application to an EXE?
  I am currently making a simple 2D game using Java. After I was done, I wanted a way to distribute this game to friends and such. I tried google searching ways of converting the program to an EXE but I'm sure you know what comes up. I'm here to ask for ways to address this issue.   
  http://gcc.gnu.org/java/   ;  I think you probably want to create an executable JAR instead.  Your IDE can probably help generate one.  If not, it will be a bit more difficult.   ;  There are many simple programs which will convert a java program to exe (even if it is just a thin wrapper around java.exe). Google list j2exe as the first result.But if all you want to do is give it to your friends so that they can run it, you don't need an exe, you can just create a jar file (as X Abstract X suggested). Then your friends need only double-click on the .jar file and it will run just like an executable. They will need the Java runtime installed, but most (all?) computers these days come with it already installed.   