How to install Oracle Database 26ai Free Step by Step Guide

Environment:
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Oracle Database: 26ai Database Free

Step 1: Certication Matrix

First step that I always prefer before installing any software is to check the Certification Matrix. It is always best practice to check this first rather than troubleshooting any installation issues later.

Oracle Database 26ai Free for Windows x64 is supported on the following operating system versions:

- Windows 10 x64 - Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise, and Education editions

- Windows 11 x64 - Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions

- Windows Server 2016 x64 - Standard, Datacenter, and Essentials editions

- Windows Server 2019 x64 - Standard, Datacenter, and Essentials editions

- Windows Server 2022 x64 - Standard, Datacenter, and Essentials editions

- Windows Server 2025 x64 - Standard, Datacenter, and Essentials editions

Step 2: Operating System, Storage Requirements and Prerequisites.

1) Minimum 2 GB RAM.

2) Minimum 8.5 GB for Oracle software plus 2 GB or more for temporary storage.

3) Installer user must be a part of the Administrators group on Windows to install Oracle Database Free. If you are logged in as a domain user, ensure that you are connected to the network before you install Oracle Database Free software.

4) Ensure that the directory where you install Oracle Database Free 26ai, and any of its parent directories other than the root directory (eg C:\), cannot be modified by the Authenticated Users group.

5) Before attempting to install Oracle Database Free 26ai, uninstall any existing Oracle Database XE or Oracle Database Free or database with the SID XE or FREE from the target system.

The installer will use SID FREE for database creation. Any SID other than SID FREE will not be allowed.

6) If the ORACLE_HOME or TNS_ADMIN environment variables have been set, then delete them.

Step 3: Download Oracle database 26ai software and copy it to target server.

Click here to direct download Software ---> Oracle Database 26ai Free on Windows

Now extract the downloaded zip file to a temporary location.

Step 4: Start Oracle database 26ai software installation.

Before starting installation, ensure that the directory where you install Oracle Database Free 26ai, and any of its parent directories other than the root directory (eg C:\), cannot be modified by the Authenticated Users group.

If you do not meet this requirement, then the installation rolls back and fails with an error in the beginning of the log found in the installation directory you provided, in the InstallActions<timestamp>.log file.

The entire installation operation will be rolled back and nothing will be installed due to this error.

Error message :-

"Authenticated users.

ACTION: Specify a path that does not exist or is not under a directory that is modifiable by Authenticated users".

To fix the above issue:

1) Oracle recommends that you create a new, top-level empty folder to install Oracle Database Free. For example:

Here, I have created separate folder under D: drive as "D:\oracle\DB".

2) Disable the inheritance of the newly created folder:

C:\Windows\System32>icacls D:\oracle\DB /inheritancelevel:d

processed file: D:\oracle\DB

Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files

3) Remove the Authenticated Users permissions from the folder:

C:\Windows\System32>icacls D:\oracle\DB /remove:g *s-1-5-11

processed file: D:\oracle\DB

Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files

4) Verify the Authenticated Users permissions for the folder.

C:\Windows\System32>icacls D:\oracle\DB

D:\oracle\DB BUILTIN\Administrators:(F)

BUILTIN\Administrators:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F)

NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(F)

NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F)

BUILTIN\Users:(RX)

BUILTIN\Users:(OI)(CI)(IO)(GR,GE)

Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files

5) Start the Oracle Database 26ai Free installation. When you reach the Destination Folder screen, the installer prompts you to enter the installation directory, click Change to select the installation directory that you newly created. For example, select D:\oracle\DB.

Right Click on setup.exe file and click on "Run as administrator" option. Start the installation of Oracle Database 26ai.

At this stage, you will get a new pop-up box for listener and database configuration.

Oracle database 26ai installation has been completed at this stage. You can check services.msc to crosscheck the database and listener services are running.