UPDATE: This issue is fixed in Oracle Database Free on Windows version 23.6 or later.
It is no longer required that you manually change permissions on installation directories. (The installer can do it for you).
Please check the version of Oracle Database Free on Windows you are attempting to install and make sure it is 23.6 or later.
For more information please see the Oracle Database Free on Windows installation guide.
https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/23/xeinw/installing-oracle-database-xe.htm
Original post:
Oracle Database 23ai Free on Windows has a new requirement that the directory you install into and any of its parent directories other than the root directory (eg C:\) is not modifiable by the Authenticated Users group. If this requirement is not met, the installation will roll back and an error will be shown in the beginning of the log found in the installation directory you provided, in the InstallActions<timestamp>.out file.
For example:
C:\app\username\product\23ai\dbhomeFree\cfgtoollogs\oui\InstallActions2024-07-02_07-42-31PM.out
The error is:
SEVERE: [FATAL] [INS-32113] The location specified for Oracle Base is under a directory that is modifiable by Authenticated users.
ACTION: Specify a path that does not exist or is not under a directory that is modifiable by Authenticated users.
Note: This restriction applies to the Authenticated Users GROUP which cannot have the ‘Modify’ (Write/Rename/Delete) access on these directories. Administrators who happen to be a member of that group will still be able to install.
Workaround:
1. We recommend that you create a new, top level empty directory (right below the volume’s root directory – for example c:\dbfree). The steps below will impact the accessibility of existing subfolders files and applications, so it is better to start with an empty directory.
mkdir c:\dbfree
2. Disable the inheritance of the created folder:
icacls c:\dbfree /inheritancelevel:d
3. Remove Authenticated Users permissions from the created folder:
icacls c:\dbfree /remove:g *s-1-5-11
4. Start the installer & choose c:\dbfree when the installer prompts ‘Install Oracle Database 23ai Free to:’. You can also ask the installer to create and install subfolders by providing additional subdirectories under c:\dbfree, for example c:\dbfree\product\23ai.
Checking the permissions of your directory:
You can check the permissions on a directory you want to install into like so:
a) Use the “icacls” utility: eg “icacls c:\dbfree”
b) View the properties in File Explorer for the directory and look at the Security tab.
If you see that the Authenticated Users group can modify the directory or any of its parent directories other than the root directory (eg C:\) , then you will not be able to install into that directory.