FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.7.0_04"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_04-b20)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 23.0-b21, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Windows 7, 64-bit SP1 English (US)

EXTRA RELEVANT SYSTEM CONFIGURATION :
This bug occurred on a completely fresh Install of Windows 7.

Java 7u4 is the only JRE installed .

Internet Explorer Version: 8.0.7601._17514
Firefox Version: 12.0

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
Internet browsers do not detect the Java plugin if the Java 7u4 JRE is installed on a fresh Windows 7 OS.

When upgrading to Java 7u4, however, the Java plugin is recognized by the browser. For example if I upgrade from Java 7u3 to Java 7u4, the plugin is recognized.

  To check for the Java plugin, I am using the isPluginInstalled function from the deployJava.js file, which can be found at http://www.java.com/js/deployJava.txt.

I debugged the isPluginInstalled method from deployJava.js, and the plugin object has a null contentDocument attribute, which should contain information about the Java plugin.

This error didn't occur with Java 7u3.

REGRESSION. Last worked in version 7


REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
One workaround is to not use Java 7u4. Another workaround is to upgrade to Java 7u4 from a previous Java version.