I installed SQL Developer with these steps: (See the comments—this might not be necessary) Download and re-install newest Ubuntu 14.04 LTS from Ubuntu website. Install Java: sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jdk openjdk-7-jre icedtea-7-plugin sudo update-alternatives --config java Download SQL Developer from Oracle website (I chose Other Platforms download). Extract file to /opt : sudo unzip sqldeveloper-*-no-jre.zip -d /opt/ sudo chmod +x /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh Linking over an in-path launcher for Oracle SQL Developer: sudo ln -s /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh /usr/local/bin/sqldeveloper Edit /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh and replace it's content to: #!/bin/bash unset -v GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID cd /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper/bin ./sqldeveloper "$@" or (to prevent error: ./sqldeveloper: Permission denied) #!/bin/bash unset -v GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID cd /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper/bin && bash sqldeveloper $* ...