Windows 7 User Account Control and Oracle Client

Preface
UAC in Windows 7 seems to be improved from Windows Vista. As a power user, I do not really care for this feature. However, since Win 7 claimed to have a better UAC I decided to try it out. I had to put an end to it quick.

Problem?

It was interferring with my Oracle Client 92,10.1,10.2 as well as 11. Problems were erratic and not necessarily pointed to UAC. On the 92 version I was able to login to the database but unable to use RMAN or imp, in 102 I was unable to create databases using the client.. etc. etc....

Solution.

I turned off UAC and things started working like a charm. I have came across a few other programs that are problematic to certain programs of which I will write another article for.

Verdict.
Powerusers... avoid UAC like a plague. as long as you know what you are doing, you should not be told by windows that your actions could be inappropriate.

Techy End users: turn it down(it has 4 settings in win 7 including the one option to turn UAC off) at least, annoys you lesser and if you can get a good antivirus and a firewall, turn it off. Keep track of your actions and create a recovery CD as well as restore points frequently.

End Users : Sorry, but dealing with UAC would actually help you here, pay attention to what the messages say and after a few months play with the settings to see how far you can go with it.