Access 2016 database: move from old computer to new.

Question

I need to move my access 2016 database from my old computer to my new computer running Microsoft 365. How can I do that?

Answer 1

The database is split, can I still copy the database as Hans described or is it more complicated?

In that case, you should copy both the frontend and the backend from the old computer to the new one using any of the methods that I described.

If the folder path of the backend is exactly the same on the new computer as on the old one (e.g. it's in C:\MyDatabases on both computers), you're done.

If not, you must relink the tables in the frontend database to the backend on the new computer:

• Open the frontend database, holding down the Shift key to bypass the startup options (if possible).
• Activate the External Data tab of the ribbon.
• Click the Linked Table Manager button in the Import & Link group.
• Tick the check box 'Always prompt for new location'.
• Click 'Select All'.
• Click OK.
• Locate and select the backend database.
• Click Open.

Answer 2

You can copy the database from the hard disk of the old computer to a USB stick, then copy it from the USB stick to the hard disk on the new computer.

Or upload the database from the old computer to a cloud service such as OneDrive, Google Drive or DropBox, then download it from the cloud to your new computer.

Or e-mail the zipped database to yourself from the old computer and pick it up on the new computer.

In all cases: right-click the database in File Explorer on your new computer.

Select Properties from the context menu.

If there is a check box "Unblock", tick this check box.

Click OK.

Answer 3

Question # 1: Do you have a version of Office 365 that includes Access?

Question # 2: Is your database split between front end and back end?

Question # 3: Does your database use any special references or addins?

As Hans noted copying an Access database generally means simply copying the file(s) that the database uses from one machine to another. However, you need to know whether you need to copy only one file or several. You need to know whether you have an Access license on the destination machine.

Answer 4

The database is split, can I still copy the database as Hans described or is it more complicated?

Answer 5

Thank you! I will see which approach I can find that works. I really appreciate your advice!