How can I get the latest JRE / JDK as a zip file rather than EXE or MSI installer?

You can download the latest Java Development Kit (JDK) as a zip file from the official Oracle website (https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/). Note that Oracle has deprecated the standalone JRE for desktop use since Java 11; the JDK now includes the complete runtime environment.

To download the JDK as a zip file, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Java downloads page (https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/).
2. Under the "Java SE Development Kit" section, click the "Download" button for the desired JDK version.
3. On the next page, select the "Accept License Agreement" radio button and click the .zip link for your operating system.
4. Save the zip file to your local machine and extract its contents to a directory of your choice.

Note that you will need to have a valid Oracle account to download the JDK from the official website. If you don't have an account, you can register for free on the Oracle website. Alternatively, for open-source distributions that do not require an account or commercial licensing restrictions, consider Eclipse Temurin or Amazon Corretto.