SQL Developer 17.2 - Unable to launch the Java Virtual Machine

Question

SQL Developer version 4.2.0.17 is set up on a computer I'm using (I'm using Windows).

The folder for that version contains a jdk folder and the SQL developer runs fine.

I downloaded SQL Developer 17.2 and unzipped the file. When I went to run the .exe I was asked to confirm the location of the jdk on the computer.

At that time, I didn't realise that the jdk folder was already in the folder for SQL Dev 4.2.

There is also an 'OraHome_WF' folder on the c:\ drive, which contains a jdk folder, so I confirmed that was the location of the jdk folder when first launching SQL Dev 17.2.

Now when I launch SQL Dev 17.2 I get an error message:

Unable to launch the Java Virtual Machine Location at path: C:\OraHome_WF\jdk\jre\bin\msvcr100.dll

I looked in the 17.2 folder to see if there were any config or settings files that might have been updated after I put the wrong jdk path in, so I could point to the correct jdk folder, but I can't see anything.

I tried deleting the 17.2 files and unzipping the 17.2 folder again, but when I launched SQL Dev I got the same error without being asked where the jdk folder is located.

Is there any way I can work around this problem?

I already tried this workaround: SQL Developer error Unable to find Java Virtual Machine

I guess you are running it on Windows. If yes then go to %APPDATA%\SQL Developer subdirectory, then remove a subdirectory which name contains a version number of your SQL-Developer, like system 17.2.xxxxxx. This will erase all program's settings. And then run it again. — krokodilko
try copy MSVCR100.dll file from \jdk\jre\bin to the sqldeveloper\bin folder — I3rutt
Thanks for your replies... I tried the 2nd option, to copy the .DLL file to sqldeveloper\bin but that hasn't fixed it. I tried the 1st option (I'm using Windows, sorry - edited the question to state that) - there are folders there called SQLHistory, and system4.2.0.17.089.1709 and tmp but no foldfer for 17.2... — 4532066
However! There was folder C:\Users\myuser\AppData\Roaming\sqldeveloper - and that contained a 17.2.0 folder - deleted that, and could then point to the correct location. So problem fixed. Thanks! — 4532066
It's strange. The documentation says, that SQL Developer user preferences should be located in: Windows: C:\Users\<user-name>\AppData\Roaming\SQL Developer\systemn.n.n.n.n folder. Mayby your %APPDATA% environment variable points to another location. — krokodilko

krokodilko krokodilko · Accepted Answer · 2017-08-10T11:37:10

According to the documentation, user preference settings are located in the following locations:

SQL Developer user preferences

Windows: C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\SQL Developer\systemn.n.n.n.n

Linux or Mac OS X: ~/.sqldeveloper/systemn.n.n.n.n

Removing this subdirectory should fix the problem (and in this case it fixed it).

SQL Developer 17.2 - Unable to launch the Java Virtual Machine

2 Answers