Try the platform guide for your version, for instance, http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/win.102/b15688/authen.htm Chapter 12 discusses Active Directory as well, but that's more about adding your instance as an AD object. Thanks, T. J. From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joe Smith Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 4:07 PM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: os accounts on windows servers Where is there a document on setting up oracle users to administrator the database on Windows servers? Our admin wants to use domain accounts with Active Directory , but that does not sound right to me. I have looked on metalink and the install docs but have not found anything yet. Can somebody point to a document?