MS Access won't open after update

Elzen, Boelie 0 Reputation points
2023-09-07T13:08:53.89+00:00

I recently updated MS Access to version 2308 and now my existing databases won't open anymore. I get the message that "Access can't open databases made in an earlier version". I tried a couple of things, one of which was to start up Access without openening an existing database. I tried to create a new database but just clicking the 'new database' button I already get the same error message that "Access can't open databases made in an earlier version". Strange that I get a message relating to opening while I am saving. Is there a bug in this new version or another way to fix this?

Access
Access
A family of Microsoft relational database management systems designed for ease of use.
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  1. Philippe Levesque 5,706 Reputation points
    2023-09-07T14:06:33.4533333+00:00

    Hi

    Do you did a big upgrade jump ? like Access 2003 to today ? as that bug existed back then; (.mdb to .accdb)

    If such bug, you needed to open the database in an older Access, but newer than your old Access to do a first migration of the file, and then you can do the latest upgrade.

    See the path;

    1. Open the Access 97 database in Access 2003.
    2. On the Tools menu, click Database Utilities, click Convert Database, and then click to Access 2002-2003 file format.
    3. Enter a name for the database, and then click Save.
    4. Exit Access 2003.
    5. Open the database in Access 2013 or later version of Access.
    6. On the File tab, click Save As, select Access Database (*.accdb), and then click Save As.
    7. In the Save Asdialog box, click Save.