Install Oracle 26ai database
Start the setup (C:\dnload\26ai\setup.exe) and use all default options. Set the SYS / SYSTEM / PDBADMIN password to Welcome1. It could take 15mins to complete the
Open System Properties (sysdm.cpl) -> Advanced -> Environment Variables
add JAVA_HOME variable to be C:\APEXOTA\jre21
Modify system path to contain
xxxxxxxxxxC:\APEXOTA\JRE21\binC:\app\Administrator\product\26ai\dbhomeFree\bin
Open a command prompt and change directory to C:\APEXOTA\apex.
Change the password policy:
xxxxxxxxxxC:\APEXOTA\apex>sqlplus / as sysdbaSQL*Plus: Release 23.26.0.0.0 - Production on Thu Jan 22 11:50:34 2026Version 23.26.0.0.0Copyright (c) 1982, 2025, Oracle. All rights reserved.Connected to:Oracle AI Database 26ai Free Release 23.26.0.0.0 - Develop, Learn, and Run for Free Version 23.26.0.0.0SQL> alter session set container=FREEPDB1;SQL> ALTER PROFILE DEFAULT LIMIT PASSWORD_LIFE_TIME UNLIMITED;SQL> ALTER PROFILE DEFAULT LIMIT PASSWORD_LOCK_TIME UNLIMITED;SQL> ALTER PROFILE DEFAULT LIMIT PASSWORD_GRACE_TIME UNLIMITED;SQL> ALTER PROFILE DEFAULT LIMIT FAILED_LOGIN_ATTEMPTS UNLIMITED;
Install Latest APEX (Still under FREEPDB1 from previous step)
xxxxxxxxxxSQL> @apexins.sql SYSAUX SYSAUX TEMP /i/.........Thank you for installing Oracle APEX 24.2.0Oracle APEX is installed in the APEX_240200 schema.The structure of the link to the Oracle APEX Administration Services is as follows:http://host:port/ords/apex_adminThe structure of the link to the Oracle APEX development environment is as follows:http://host:port/ords/apex...SYS>
Unlock DB user accounts and reset APEX admin password to Welcome!23
xxxxxxxxxxC:\APEXOTA\apex>sqlplus / as sysdbaSQL*Plus: Release 23.26.0.0.0 - Production on Thu Jan 22 12:16:39 2026Version 23.26.0.0.0Copyright (c) 1982, 2025, Oracle. All rights reserved.Connected to:Oracle AI Database 26ai Free Release 23.26.0.0.0 - Develop, Learn, and Run for Free Version 23.26.0.0.0SQL> alter session set container=FREEPDB1;SQL> alter user APEX_PUBLIC_USER account unlock;SQL> alter user APEX_PUBLIC_USER identified by APEX_PUBLIC_USER;
Reset APEX admin password to Welcome!23:
xxxxxxxxxxSQL> @apxchpwd.sql...set_appun.sql================================================================================This script can be used to change the password of an Application Express instance administrator. If the user does not yet exist, a user record will be created.===============================================================================Enter the administrator's username [ADMIN]User "ADMIN" exists.Enter ADMIN's email [ADMIN]Enter ADMIN's password [] Welcome!23Changed password of instance administrator ADMIN.
Config RESTful services. Set the passwords to Welcome1
xxxxxxxxxxSQL> @apex_rest_config.sqlEnter a password for the APEX_LISTENER user [] Welcome1Enter a password for the APEX_REST_PUBLIC_USER user [] Welcome1...set_appun.sql...setting session environment...create APEX_LISTENER and APEX_REST_PUBLIC_USER users...grants for APEX_LISTENER and ORDS_METADATA user...Updated ORDS views and synonyms successfully.
Setup ORDS config files in C:\APEXOTA\ords\bin:
xxxxxxxxxxC:\APEXOTA\ords\bin>ords.exe installORDS: Release 25.4 Production on Thu Jan 22 17:30:37 2026Copyright (c) 2010, 2026, Oracle.Configuration:C:\APEXOTA\ords\binThe configuration folder C:\APEXOTA\ords\bin does not contain any configuration files.Oracle REST Data Services - Interactive InstallEnter a number to select the TNS net service name to use from C:\app\Administrator\product\26ai\dbhomeFree\network\admin\tnsnames.ora or specify the database connection[1] FREE SERVICE_NAME=FREE[S] Specify the database connectionChoose [1]: 1Provide database user name with administrator privileges.Enter the administrator username: SYSEnter the database password for SYS AS SYSDBA: (Welcome1)Retrieving information...Your database connection is to a CDB. ORDS common user ORDS_PUBLIC_USER will be created in the CDB. ORDS schema will be installed in the PDBs.Root CDB$ROOT - create ORDS common userPDB PDB$SEED - install ORDS 25.4.0.r3641739 (mode is READ ONLY, open for READ/WRITE)PDB FREEPDB1 - install ORDS 25.4.0.r3641739PDB FREEPDB1 - configure PL/SQL gateway user APEX_PUBLIC_USER in ORDS version 25.4.0.r3641739Install ORDS in the database[1] Yes[2] NoChoose [1]: 1ORDS is not installed in the database. ORDS installation is required.Enter a number to update the value or select option A to Accept and Continue[1] Connection Type: TNS[2] TNS Connection: TNS_NAME=FREE TNS_FOLDER=C:\app\Administrator\product\26ai\dbhomeFree\network\adminAdministrator User: SYS AS SYSDBA[3] Database password for ORDS runtime user (ORDS_PUBLIC_USER): <generate>[4] ORDS runtime user and schema tablespaces: Default: SYSAUX Temporary TEMP[5] Additional Feature: Database Actions[6] Configure and start ORDS in Standalone Mode: Yes[7] Protocol: HTTP[8] HTTP Port: 8080[9] APEX static resources location: null[A] Accept and Continue - Create configuration and Install ORDS in the database[Q] Quit - Do not proceed. No changesChoose [A]: AThe setting named: db.connectionType was set to: tns in configuration: defaultThe setting named: db.tnsAliasName was set to: FREE in configuration: default.........2026-01-22T17:31:46.568Z INFO Oracle REST Data Services initializedOracle REST Data Services version : 25.4.0.r3641739Oracle REST Data Services server info: jetty/12.0.25Oracle REST Data Services java info: OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Temurin-17.0.17+10 (build 17.0.17+10 mixed mode, sharing)^C (Press ctrl-c to exit)C:\APEXOTA\ords\bin>
Create the APEX WAR file under tomcat folder:
xxxxxxxxxxC:\APEXOTA\ords\bin>ords.exe war C:\APEXOTA\tomcat9\webapps\apex.warORDS: Release 25.4 Production on Thu Jan 22 20:00:54 2026Copyright (c) 2010, 2026, Oracle.Configuration:C:\APEXOTA\ords\binThe web application archive was created successfully.
Now all components are properly laid down. We will do the configurations in the next part.
© 2026 by Christopher Ho. All Rights Reserved