To fix the JNLP file not opening problem, update or install Java Runtime Environment, set JRE as the default app, or install JRE 64-bit.

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.

I have JAVA_HOME pointing to Oracle 11.0.11. Starting icedtea-web javaws.exe works out of the box. Does your application use a class that is missing in Java 11. In that case you may have ot add ...

If you want to see the JNLP file work without docker, just right click the helloworld-local.jnlp file and open with Open Web Start. It works from the file system.

Like Java applets, your application will be constrained to a sandbox on the client unless you used signed jars and configure permissions correctly in your application's JNLP file.

When you deploy applications through Sun’s Java Web Start, they can’t hurt the end user’s system because they’re run in a sandbox, a restrictive area that limits access to system resources ...