Installing Oracle workflow builder on windows 7

Installing Oracle database client 10g 11g on windows 7

We just upgraded all clients to windows 7 and faced few challenges, one of them was to install few backward compatible oracle client softwares on windows 7.

After the upgrade to windows 7, Attempting to install Oracle Workflow Builder 2.6.3 and oracle client 11gR2/10gR2 on a Windows 7 Client gives compatibility error.

SOLUTION 1:
To configure the compatibility mode for an application, just locate the installation directory and right click on the .exe, selecting Properties from the menu and change the compatibility mode to 'Windows XP service pack 3'. This is applicable for both Workflow builder executables and also for oracle 11g/10g clients.

1. Navigate to the WF Builder installer (setup.exe)

2. Right-Click on the setup.exe then go to Properties.

3. Check Compatibility Mode and Select Windows XP (Service Pack 3).

4. Now restart the Installer for the Workflow Builder. After installation if the builder doesn't start then follow steps 1 to 3 for WFBLDR.EXE file.

Note: This same behaviour is applicable on Vista.

For screenshots with similar solution follow,
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-compatibility-mode/
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/using-windows-vista-compatibility-mode/

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ANOTHER GOOD WORK AROUND:

SOLUTION 2:
Shortly after initiating installation of Oracle Client 11g (11.1.0.6.0) installation stopped on prerequisite checks with error:

Checking operating system requirements ...
Expected result: One of 5.0,5.1,5.2,6.0
Actual Result: 6.1
Check complete. The overall result of this check is: Failed <<<< Problem: Oracle Database 11g is not certified on the current operating system. Recommendation: Make sure you are installing the software on the correct platform. To workaround this problem edit refhost.xml file adding entry for Windows 7.

Location of refhost.xml file on media is,
D:\win32_11gR1_client\client\stage\prereq\client\refhost.xml

For windows 7 OS, add the following to the end of the refhost.xml file content:

<CERTIFIED_SYSTEMS>
<!--Microsoft Windows 7-->
<OPERATING_SYSTEM>
<VERSION VALUE="6.1">
</OPERATING_SYSTEM>
</CERTIFIED_SYSTEMS>


With new refhost.xml file all checks will pass and the installation will complete successfully.