How to Install Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers

By Chris Hoffman

Install Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers
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Microsoft's OLE DB Provider for ODBC drivers contains the MSDASQL.DLL file. This file converts OLE DB database calls into ODBC calls, allowing consumer applications that only support OLE DB database interfaces to use ODBC database back-ends. Most versions of Windows have the Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC drivers installed by default. Unfortunately, the 64-bit edition of Windows Server 2003 lacks these drivers, which were released after the operating system was released. These drivers provide backward compatibility with older software programs, allowing them to use newer database systems.

Navigate to Microsoft's "64-Bit OLEDB Provider for ODBC (MSDASQL)" website (see Resources.)

Click the "Download" link to the right of "WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB948459-v2-x64-ENU.exe" if you're using Windows Server 2003 on standard 64-bit PC hardware, or click on the link to the right of "WindowsServer2003-KB948459-v2-ia64-ENU.exe" if you're using Windows Server 2003 on 64-bit Intel Itanium hardware.

Click "Run" in the file download window that appears. Save the file to a folder on your computer, navigate to the downloaded file on your computer and then double-click it.

Click "Next" in the "Software Update Installation Wizard" window that appears.

Read the license agreement, and then click "I Agree" and "Next" if you agree.

Click "Finish" after the update finishes installing.

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