A desktop technician is configuring a legacy accounting application on a 64-bit Windows 11 Pro workstation. The application requires a System Data Source Name (DSN) using a 32-bit database driver to communicate with an internal database server. When the technician opens the default ODBC Data Sources applet from Administrative Tools, the required 32-bit driver is missing from the drivers list. Which of the following administrative actions should the technician perform to properly configure the connection?
- Execute the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator tool located at C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe.Answer
- BOpen Component Services (comexp.msc) and modify the DCOM security permissions for the database application.
- CAccess Credential Manager in Control Panel and create a new Windows Credential for the database driver.
- DLaunch Device Manager from Computer Management and reinstall the database controller hardware driver.
Answer
Execute the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator tool located at C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe.
On 64-bit operating systems, Windows maintains separate ODBC Data Source Administrator utilities for 32-bit and 64-bit drivers. The 64-bit tool is located in %SystemRoot%\System32\odbcad32.exe (which is linked in Administrative Tools), while the 32-bit tool is located in %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe. To configure a 32-bit driver for a legacy 32-bit application, the technician must manually launch the executable from the SysWOW64 directory.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Windows ODBC Data Source Administrator Architecture (32-bit vs 64-bit)
Estimated Time:1m 0s