Running Oracle Database on Microsoft Windows is slightly different from running it on other platforms. So, of course, patching Oracle Database is also slightly different.

The Oracle Database runs as a Windows service. AutoUpgrade must re-create the service when you perform out-of-place patching so the service starts oracle.exe from the new Oracle home.

To recreate the service, you must specify the credentials of the user who runs the service. Windows allows you to store the credentials in a special file; AutoUpgrade can use that when it recreates the service.

For security purposes, AutoUpgrades deletes the credential file when it is no longer needed. For automation, however, that’s impractical because you would need to recreate the credential file every time you patch or upgrade.

AutoUpgrade now allows you to keep the file and reuse it. To do so, use the config file parameter delete_credential_file.

How To Patch Oracle Database on Windows

1. Get the latest version of AutoUpgrade:

   wget https://download.oracle.com/otn-pub/otn_software/autoupgrade.jar
   

2. Create an AutoUpgrade config file:

   global.keystore=c:\oracle\autoupgrade\keystore
   patch1.source_home=c:\oracle\product\dbhome_19_26_0
   patch1.target_home=c:\oracle\product\dbhome_19_27_0
   patch1.sid=DB19
   patch1.folder=c:\oracle\patches
   patch1.patch=RECOMMENDED
   patch1.wincredential=c:\oracle\autoupgrade\credential
   patch1.delete_credential_file=false
   

   • wincredential is the location where AutoUpgrade stores the credential file.
   • Set delete_credential_file to false to keep the credential file so you can re-use it.
3. Load the credentials for the user running the service into a credential file:

   java -jar autoupgrade.jar 
        -config ...
        –patch 
        -load_win_credential "DB19"	
   

4. Start AutoUpgrade in deploy mode:

   java -jar autoupgrade.jar 
        -config ...
        –patch 
        -mode deploy
   

   • AutoUpgrade finds and downloads the right patches for Windows.
   • Creates a new Oracle home with the new patches.
   • Completes the entire patching process.

That’s it! You’ve patched your Oracle Database on Windows.

Here’s a little demo from our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out.

Happy patching!