Q & A: Oracle JRE 7 Error on SQL Server 2016 Installation

Q: I was installing SQL Server 2016 CTP 3.3 on one of my test VMs and I ran into the error “Oracle JRE 7 Update 51 (64-bit) or higher is required” and the installation couldn’t finish. I’ve never seen an Oracle error installing SQL Server before. What causes this?

A: This is new with SQL Server 2016 and it occurs when you select the option PolyBase Query Service for External Data on the Feature Selection dialog of the SQL Server Installation Center. The new PolyBase feature requires the Java 7 Update 51 runtime which is not installed as a part of SL Server 2016. The error text states:

“This computer does not have the Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment Version 7 Update 51 (64-bit) or higher installed. The Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment is software provided by a third party. Microsoft grants you no rights for such third-party software. You are responsible for and must separately locate, read and accept applicable third-party license terms. To continue, download the Oracle SE Java Runtime Environment from http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=526030.”

You have two options to proceed with the installation. If you do not need the PolyBase feature you can simply uncheck the option PolyBase Query Service for External Data. The test for the presence of the Java 7 Update 51 or higher will not be performed and you can proceed with the installation. Or if you want to test the new PolyBase functionality you can stop the installation and go to the link http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=526030 which actually redirects you to http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html. You can then download the Java JRE runtime. Select the option for JRE Download then download and install the Java SE Runtime Environment 8u73. Once the Java runtime is installed you can rerun the SQL Server installation.