Environment: Oracle SQL Developer 3.2.09 64-bit, Java 1.6.0_34 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit
Oracle recently released version 3.2 of SQL Developer. This new version has some interesting new features, like the possibility to administer the APEX Listener, the option to connect to databases in the cloud, and an improved DB Diff wizard. To read more about the new features, check this page.
There are both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the software. I will explain here how you can install the 64-bit version on Windows 7 64-bit.
1) Download and install 64-bit Java 6 JDK
The 64-bit version of SQL Developer does not include a Java Development Kit, but you need a Java 6 JDK to run it. If you don’t already have one on your system, you can download one here: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javasebusiness/downloads/java-archive-downloads-javase6-419409.html#jdk-6u34-oth-JPR. I downloaded and installed jdk-6u34-windows-x64.exe, the 64-bit version of Java 6 Update 34 for Windows 64-bit.
2) Download and install 64-bit SQL Developer
If you have any previous versions of SQL Developer installed, do not remove them! You should only remove them after the new installation has finished successfully.
SQL Developer can be downloaded here: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/sql-developer/downloads/index.html. You need the “Windows 64-bit” version.
After the download, extract the “sqldeveloper64-3.2.09.30-no-jre.zip” ZIP file to a temporary folder and then copy/move the folder “sqldeveloper64-3.2.09.30-no-jre” to C:\Program Files. This is where Windows 7 by default installs its 64-bit programs and I prefer to keep it that way.
Now start SQL Developer for the first time by right-clicking on “sqldeveloper.exe” inside the “sqldeveloper” folder. It will now ask for the path to your 64-bit java.exe. Browse to C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_34\bin\java.exe. This is the Java 6 JDK that you installed in step 1.
If you have any previous installations of SQL Developer installed, the new version should now show them and you will be given the possibility to import an old configuration. Might be handy to keep your connections and stuff!
SQL Developer should now start up fine. You can check the version under Help -> About.
When you have verified that everything works fine, you are safe to remove any older versions that you should have.
Have fun,
Matthias
Matthias Hoys 
Thank a lot… Very clear steps..:)
Thanks Matthais, that was really very helpful
Thanks a lot, you saved my day.
Thanks a lot .
Danke!!!
Thanks a lot! This article is very interesting.
A very clean walk through. Now if only Oracle could do the same thing on their own site…
Thanks a million Matthias ! I have been trying to package this for WIN 7 64 bit OS Deployments and it kept installing in the C:\Program Files (x86)\SQL Developer folder by default.
while running sqldeveloper it asks for path in which bin should contain java.exe file ,which is not present in my case what should i do please tel me
Hi Zoya,
Did you install the JDK first? The bin folder and java.exe file is part of the JDK installation. By default it is installed to C:\Program Files\Java\.
It isn’t asking for any kind of path. And probably that’s why I am not able to make any new connection.
Please help me out…. !!!
Maybe you downloaded a version of SQL Developer which already includes the JDK? What exact version did you download?
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while running sql developer , it asks for path, in which i am not able to see java.exe file in bin folder. have followed the same steps as u said above :(
That’s strange – maybe your Windows settings don’t allow you to see executables? Do you see other exe files? Are there other files in the bin folder?
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Thanks a lot Buddy….
I’m not getting the option of “Capture Microsoft Access Exported XML” under Migration submenu of SQL developer! Please help me out!!!
Strange… Are you using the same version as in the example?