The latest release of the Oracle database is 11.2.0.1.0, but this release is for Linux and Solaris only.
Most developers that want to use 11g on Windows are limited to the 11.1.0.6.0 release. This is a problem when trying to install Oracle SOA Suite 11g or some other Middleware 11g products (like Forms 11g). These products require the installation of the Repository Creation Utility, which is only supported for 11.1.0.7.0. And that version is only available for download for Microsoft Windows Server 2008.
The only way to get a 11.1.0.7.0 installation on computers with other versions of Microsoft Windows is to use the available patchset. This patchset is available as patch #6890831 on Oracle Support (Metalink).
After downloading the patchset you can start the installation by clicking setup.exe. After this follow the steps to enter information for your current ORACLE_HOME and other parameters. The installer then proceeds with upgrading the database software.
When this is completed, you’re not done yet! The software is now updated, but you still have to upgrade the database itself. When you would try to login to your database instance, you would receive an ORA-12154 error.
To solve this you can use the Database Upgrade Assistent, or you can do it manually:
1. Log in with administrator privileges.
2. Start the listener as follows:
C:\> lsnrctl start [listener_name]
3. Use SQL*Plus to log in to the database as the SYS user with SYSDBA privileges:
C:\> sqlplus /NOLOG SQL> CONNECT SYS AS SYSDBA
Enter password: SYS_password
4. Enter the following SQL*Plus commands:
SQL> STARTUP UPGRADE SQL> @ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME\rdbms\admin\catupgrd.sql
5. Restart the database:
SQL> SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE SQL> STARTUP
6. Run the utlrp.sql script to recompile all invalid PL/SQL packages now instead of when the packages are accessed for the first time. This step is optional but recommended.
SQL> @ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME\rdbms\admin\utlrp.sql
You’re database is now ready to be used again. For advanced features and instructions, you can read the README.html that is shipped with the 11.1.0.7.0 patchset.
