Docs don't just "suggest" that you "can" install into a new location. It is *required*. Two different installations must be in their own `ORACLE_HOME` directories. And you do not "add" another path/directory to `ORACLE_HOME`. `ORACLE_HOME` specifies only one home/directory at a time. To quote from [the Installation Guide][1] (emphasis mine): > "Do *not* install Oracle Database 12c software into an existing Oracle > home." Also, [the installation guide][2] specifically says to unset `ORACLE_HOME` and several other environment variables before launching the OUI. > If you have had an existing installation on your system, and you are > using the same user account to install this installation, then unset > the `ORACLE_HOME`, `ORACLE_BASE`, `ORACLE_SID`, `TNS_ADMIN` environment > variables and any other environment variable set for the Oracle > installation user that is connected with Oracle software homes. [1]: https://docs.oracle.com/database/121/LADBI/inst_task.htm#LADBI7742 [2]: https://docs.oracle.com/database/121/LADBI/usr_grps.htm#LADBI7678