SQL Express 2012 and Ole Connections

I am very new and very green to SQL. I am just learning and have downloaded SQL 2012 Express to experiment with. My apologies if this question is basic, something I should know. I need to create a database connection for SQL Express and am having trouble trying to download the 64 bit OLE Native Client (My OS is Windows 7 64 bit). I think I need a driver downloaded before I can use a connection string in my software. I keep getting the error that I need to verify that the SQL DB is 2008 or newer, is this because I am using Express? Someone suggested installing Service Pack 2 first. ( I have service pack 1) I am using a software program that interfaces with SQL Express for the DB. The MS download I think is correct is DB2OLDDBV4. Thank you.