Oracle Client Download 21: How to Install and Use the Latest Version of Oracle Database Software
If you are looking for a way to access and manage Oracle Database from your Windows computer, you might want to download and install Oracle Client 21. This is the latest version of the software that allows you to connect to Oracle Database, run SQL queries and commands, and use various tools and utilities provided by Oracle. In this article, we will show you how to download, install, and use Oracle Client 21 with Oracle Database 21c, the most recent release of the world's leading database software. We will also cover some common issues and troubleshooting tips that you might encounter along the way.
What is Oracle Client and Why Do You Need It?
Oracle Client is a software package that contains the libraries and drivers that enable your Windows application to communicate with Oracle Database. It also includes some useful tools and utilities that help you perform various tasks related to database administration, development, and testing. Some of the most common tools and utilities are:
oracle client download 21
SQL*Plus: A command-line interface that allows you to execute SQL statements and PL/SQL blocks.
SQL Developer: A graphical user interface that allows you to browse, create, edit, and delete database objects, run SQL queries and scripts, debug PL/SQL code, and more.
Data Pump: A utility that allows you to export and import data and metadata between different databases or schemas.
SQL Loader: A utility that allows you to load data from external files into database tables.
Oracle Net Manager: A tool that allows you to configure network settings for connecting to Oracle Database.
You need Oracle Client if you want to access Oracle Database from your Windows application, such as Microsoft Excel, Visual Studio, or Power BI. You also need it if you want to use any of the tools and utilities mentioned above. Without Oracle Client, you will not be able to establish a connection or communicate with Oracle Database.
How to Download Oracle Client 21 for Windows x64
There are two ways to download Oracle Client 21 for Windows x64: zip files or RPMs. Zip files are compressed files that contain all the components of Oracle Client. RPMs are packages that can be installed using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Both options are available on the page on the Oracle website. You will need an Oracle account to download the files. If you don't have one, you can create one for free.
oracle client download 21c for windows x64
oracle database 21c client installation guide
oracle instant client downloads for microsoft windows x64 64-bit
oracle database 21c examples download for windows
oracle fusion middleware web tier utilities for windows x64
oracle database 21c grid infrastructure download
oracle database 21c global service manager download
oracle database gateways 21c download
how to install oracle client 21c on windows 10
oracle client 21c compatibility matrix
oracle client 21c new features
oracle client 21c documentation
oracle client 21c odbc driver download
oracle client 21c sqlplus download
oracle client 21c sql developer download
oracle client 21c data pump download
oracle client 21c jdbc driver download
oracle client 21c net manager download
oracle client 21c tnsnames.ora location
oracle client 21c uninstall tool
oracle client 21c patch download
oracle client 21c silent install
oracle client 21c free download for windows 7
oracle client 21c free download for linux
oracle client 21c free download for macos
oracle client 21c zip file download
oracle client 21c rpm package download
oracle client 21c dmg package download
oracle client 21c vs instant client
oracle client 21c vs full client
oracle database express edition (xe) release 21.4.0.0.0 (production) download
how to connect to oracle database using sqlplus in windows with oracle client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using odbc in windows with oracle client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using jdbc in windows with oracle client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using python in windows with cx_oracle and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using php in windows with oci8 and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using node.js in windows with oracledb and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using ruby in windows with ruby oci8 and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using c# in windows with odp.net and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using c++ in windows with occi and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using java in linux with jdbc and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using python in linux with cx_oracle and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using php in linux with oci8 and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using node.js in linux with oracledb and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using ruby in linux with ruby oci8 and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using c# in linux with mono and odp.net core and instant client 21c installed
how to connect to oracle database using c++ in linux with occi and instant client 21
Download Options
The zip files and RPMs come in different versions depending on your needs. The main versions are:
Basic: This version contains only the core libraries and drivers that enable your application to connect to Oracle Database. It is the smallest version and requires less disk space.
Basic Light: This version is similar to Basic, but it does not include support for some character sets and globalization features. It is useful if you have disk space constraints or if you don't need those features.
ODBC: This version contains the ODBC driver that allows you to use ODBC applications, such as Microsoft Excel or Access, with Oracle Database.
JDBC Supplement: This version contains the JDBC driver that allows you to use Java applications with Oracle Database.
SQL*Plus: This version contains the SQL*Plus command-line tool that allows you to execute SQL statements and PL/SQL blocks.
Tools: This version contains some additional tools and utilities that help you perform various tasks related to database administration, development, and testing. Some of the tools are Data Pump, SQL Loader, and Oracle Net Manager.
You can choose to download one or more versions depending on your requirements. You can also download the zip files and RPMs for different versions of Oracle Database, such as 19c, 18c, or 12c. However, for this article, we will focus on Oracle Client 21 for Oracle Database 21c.
Installation Instructions
To install Oracle Client 21 from zip files, follow these steps:
Download the zip file(s) of the version(s) that you want from the page.
Extract the zip file(s) to a folder of your choice. For example, C:\oracle\instantclient_21_1.
Add the folder to the PATH environment variable. To do this, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables. Under System variables, select PATH and click Edit. Click New and enter the folder path. Click OK to save the changes.
If you downloaded the ODBC version, you need to install the ODBC driver. To do this, go to the folder where you extracted the zip file and run odbc_install.exe as administrator. This will register the driver in the Windows registry.
If you downloaded the JDBC Supplement version, you need to set the CLASSPATH environment variable. To do this, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables. Under System variables, click New and enter CLASSPATH as the variable name and the path to the ojdbc8.jar file as the variable value. Click OK to save the changes.
Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
To install Oracle Client 21 from RPMs, follow these steps:
Download the RPM file(s) of the version(s) that you want from the page.
Install WSL if you don't have it already. To do this, go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off. Check the box for Windows Subsystem for Linux and click OK. Restart your computer when prompted.
Install a Linux distribution of your choice from the Microsoft Store. For example, Ubuntu or Debian.
Launch WSL and update your system. For example, if you are using Ubuntu, run sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade.
Install alien, a tool that converts RPM files to Debian packages. For example, if you are using Ubuntu, run sudo apt install alien.
Convert the RPM file(s) to Debian packages using alien. For example, run sudo alien -i oracle-instantclient-basic-21.1.0.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm.
Add /usr/lib/oracle/21/client64/lib to the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable. To do this, edit your .bashrc file and add export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/oracle/21/client64/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH at the end of the file. Save and close the file.
If you downloaded the SQL*Plus version, you need to create a symbolic link to sqlplus in /usr/bin. To do this, run sudo ln -s /usr/lib/oracle/21/client64/bin/sqlplus /usr/bin/sqlplus.
If you downloaded the JDBC Supplement version, you need to set the CLASSPATH environment variable. To do this, edit your .bashrc file and add export CLASSPATH=/usr/lib/oracle/21/client64/lib/ojdbc8.jar:$CLASSPATH at the end of the file. Save and close the file.
Restart WSL for the changes to take effect.
How to Use Oracle Client 21 with Oracle Database 21c
Once you have installed Oracle Client 21, you can use it to connect to Oracle Database 21c and perform various operations. Here are some examples of how to use Oracle Client 21 with Oracle Database 21c:
Connecting to Oracle Database
To connect to Oracle Database, you need to provide the following information:
Host name or IP address of the database server
Port number of the database listener
Service name or SID of the database instance
User name and password of the database user
You can use different methods to specify this information, such as:
Easy Connect: This is a simple method that uses a connection string in the format host:port/service. For example, dbserver:1521/orcl.
TNS: This is a method that uses a network alias defined in a configuration file called tnsnames.ora. For example, ORCL = (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = dbserver)(PORT = 1521))(CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = orcl))).
LDAP: This is a method that uses a directory service to store and retrieve the connection information. For example, cn=orcl,cn=OracleContext,dc=example,dc=com.
You can choose the method that suits your needs and preferences. You can also use environment variables, such as ORACLE_HOME, ORACLE_SID, and TNS_ADMIN, to set some of the connection parameters.
Running SQL Queries and Commands
To run SQL queries and commands, you can use SQL*Plus or SQL Developer. SQL*Plus is a command-line tool that allows you to execute SQL statements and PL/SQL blocks. SQL Developer is a graphical user interface that allows you to browse, create, edit, and delete database objects, run SQL queries and scripts, debug PL/SQL code, and more.
To use SQL*Plus, follow these steps:
Launch SQL*Plus from the Start menu or the command prompt.
Enter your user name and password when prompted. Optionally, you can also enter the connection string or the network alias of the database.
Type your SQL statements or PL/SQL blocks at the SQL> prompt. End each statement with a semicolon (;) and each block with a slash (/).
To run a script file, use the @ command followed by the file name. For example, @myscript.sql.
To exit SQL*Plus, type exit or quit at the SQL> prompt.
To use SQL Developer, follow these steps:
Launch SQL Developer from the Start menu.
Create a new connection by clicking the green plus (+) icon on the Connections panel. Enter your user name, password, and connection information. Optionally, you can also test your connection by clicking Test.
Click Connect to establish the connection. You will see your database objects on the Connections panel.
To run a SQL query or command, open a new worksheet by clicking the green plus (+) icon on the Worksheets panel. Type your SQL statement or PL/SQL block in the worksheet. Click Run Statement (F9) or Run Script (F5) to execute it.
To run a script file, open it in a new worksheet by clicking File > Open. Click Run Script (F5) to execute it.
To close a connection, right-click on it and select Disconnect.
Using Oracle Tools and Utilities
To use Oracle tools and utilities, such as Data Pump, SQL Loader, and Oracle Net Manager, you need to launch them from the command prompt or the Start menu. You also need to provide some arguments or options depending on the tool or utility. For example:
To use Data Pump to export data from a database schema to a dump file, run expdp user/password@service schemas=schema_name dumpfile=dump_file.dmp directory=directory_name.
To use Data Pump to import data from a dump file to a database schema, run impdp user/password@service schemas=schema_name dumpfile=dump_file.dmp directory=directory_name.
To use SQL Loader to load data from a text file to a database table, run sqlldr user/password@service control=control_file.ctl log=log_file.log.
To use Oracle Net Manager to configure network settings for connecting to Oracle Database, run netmgr from the command prompt or the Start menu. You will see a graphical user interface that allows you to edit the tnsnames.ora, listener.ora, and sqlnet.ora files.
For more information and examples on how to use Oracle tools and utilities, you can refer to the documentation on the Oracle website.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Oracle Client 21
While using Oracle Client 21, you might encounter some issues or errors that prevent you from connecting to or working with Oracle Database. Here are some of the common issues and troubleshooting tips that can help you resolve them:
Compatibility and Interoperability
Oracle Client 21 is compatible and interoperable with Oracle Database 21c, as well as previous versions of Oracle Database, such as 19c, 18c, or 12c. However, some features or functionalities might not be available or supported when using different versions of Oracle Client and Oracle Database. For example, some SQL statements or PL/SQL features might not work if they are introduced in a newer version of Oracle Database than the version of Oracle Client that you are using. To avoid compatibility and interoperability issues, it is recommended that you use the same or higher version of Oracle Client as the version of Oracle Database that you are connecting to.
Error Messages and Solutions
When using Oracle Client 21, you might encounter some error messages that indicate a problem with your connection or operation. Some of the common error messages and solutions are:
ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve the connect identifier specified. This error means that Oracle Client could not find the network alias or the connection string that you provided in the tnsnames.ora file or the Easy Connect method. To fix this error, make sure that you have entered the correct network alias or connection string, and that the tnsnames.ora file is in the correct location and has the correct syntax.
ORA-12514: TNS:listener does not currently know of service requested in connect descriptor. This error means that the listener on the database server does not recognize the service name or SID that you provided in the connect descriptor. To fix this error, make sure that you have entered the correct service name or SID, and that the listener.ora file on the database server has the correct configuration for the service.
ORA-01017: invalid username/password; logon denied. This error means that you have entered an incorrect user name or password for the database user that you are trying to connect to. To fix this error, make sure that you have entered the correct user name and password, and that they are case-sensitive.
ORA-28000: the account is locked. This error means that the database user account that you are trying to connect to has been locked by the database administrator due to security reasons or password expiration. To fix this error, contact your database administrator and request them to unlock your account.
Tips and Best Practices
Here are some tips and best practices that can help you use Oracle Client 21 more effectively and efficiently:
Keep your Oracle Client updated to the latest version or patch level to ensure optimal performance and security.
Use a secure connection method, such as SSL/TLS or Kerberos, to encrypt your data and authenticate your identity when connecting to Oracle Database.
Use bind variables and prepared statements to improve your SQL query performance and prevent SQL injection attacks.
Use appropriate data types and formats for your input and output parameters when using SQL queries and commands.
Use appropriate error handling and logging mechanisms to catch and report any errors or exceptions that occur while using Oracle Client.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download, install, and use Oracle Client 21 with Oracle Database 21c on Windows x64. We have also covered some common issues and troubleshooting tips that you might encounter while using Oracle Client 21. We hope that this article has helped you understand how to use Oracle Client 21 more effectively and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Oracle Client 21:
What is the difference between Oracle Client and Oracle Instant Client?
Oracle Client is a full-featured software package that contains all the components of Oracle Instant Client plus some additional tools and utilities. Oracle Instant Client is a lightweight software package that contains only the core libraries and drivers that enable your application to connect to Oracle Database. Oracle Instant Client is smaller and faster to install and requires less disk space than Oracle Client.
How can I uninstall Oracle Client 21?
To uninstall Oracle Client 21 from zip files, follow these steps:
Remove the folder where you extracted the zip file(s) from the PATH environment variable.
If you installed the ODBC driver, run odbc_uninstall.exe as administrator from the folder where you extracted the zip file. This will unregister the driver from the Windows registry.
Delete the folder where you extracted the zip file(s).
To uninstall Oracle Client 21 from RPMs, follow these steps:
Launch WSL and remove the Debian packages that you installed using alien. For example, run sudo dpkg -r oracle-instantclient-basic.
Remove /usr/lib/oracle/21/client64/lib from the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.
If you created a symbolic link to sqlplus in /usr/bin, delete it.
Delete the /usr/lib/oracle/21/client64 folder.
How can I upgrade Oracle Client 21 to a newer version?
To upgrade Oracle Client 21 to a newer version, follow these steps:
Download the zip file(s) or RPM file(s) of the newer version that you want from the page.
Uninstall Oracle Client 21 following the steps in the previous question.
Install the newer version following the steps in the How to Download Oracle Client 21 for Windows x64 section.
Where can I find more information and resources about Oracle Client 21?
You can find more information and resources about Oracle Client 21 on the following pages:
: This page contains the download links, installation instructions, release notes, and documentation for Oracle Instant Client 21.
: This page contains the documentation, examples, and tutorials for Oracle tools and utilities, such as Data Pump, SQL Loader, and Oracle Net Manager.
: This page contains the documentation, syntax, and examples for SQL statements and commands that you can use with Oracle Database.
: This page contains the documentation, syntax, and examples for PL/SQL blocks and programs that you can use with Oracle Database.
: This page contains the error codes, causes, and actions for Oracle Database error messages that you might encounter while using Oracle Client 21.
How can I contact Oracle support if I have any questions or issues with Oracle Client 21?
If you have any questions or issues with Oracle Client 21 that are not covered by this article or the resources mentioned above, you can contact Oracle support by following these steps:
Go to and sign in with your Oracle account. If you don't have one, you can create one for free.
Click on Create Service Request and fill in the required information, such as product name, problem type, severity, description, etc.
Attach any relevant files or screenshots that can help diagnose your issue.
Click Submit to create your service request. You will receive a confirmation email with your service request number and a link to track its status.
Wait for an Oracle support engineer to contact you via email or phone and provide you with a solution or guidance.
44f88ac181