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Microsoft Access can't be started

Anonymous
2025-04-25T15:17:36+00:00

I am very stumped on this... I am unable to open up Microsoft Access (can't open in safe mode, admin mode, different windows users).

I am trying to install 32-bit of Office 365 for enterprise on a WVD. I am currently have installed 16.0.18623.20208 installed on the machine. Funny thing is that the application removal tool is saying that I have 64-bit office installed instead of 32-bit installed. Whenever I open any of the office applications, it does show that it's 32-bit and not 64-bit, quite confusing.

(this is from the uninstallation tool)

(this is after opening up MS Word)


Back to main point now, all the Office applications that are installed in the suite open without issue (as 32-bit), but whenever I open MS Access, I run into the error where it states as follows in the pictures below.

"Automatic configuration of the current version of Microsoft Access has failed. Your database might not function correctly. This can occur if you do not have the necessary permissions to install Microsoft Access on this computer."

If I then press OK, I run into this next error window.

"Microsoft Access can't be started. Microsoft Access was unable to initialize the Windows Registry. Rerun Microsoft Access or Microsoft Office Setup to reinstall Microsoft Access."

Things that I've tried to resolve said issue:

  1. Opening in safe mode, error persists
  2. Opening in admin mode, error persists
  3. Quick repair, error persists
  4. Online repair, error persists
  5. Uninstall (via control panel)
  6. Reinstall (via 32-bit installer downloaded from aka.ms/office-install), error persists
  7. Uninstall (via Revo uninstaller, full scan and deletion of any registries/files remaining)
  8. Reinstall (via 32-bit installer downloaded from aka.ms/office-install), error persists
  9. Uninstall (via Revo uninstaller, full scan and deletion of any registries/files remaining)
  10. Reinstall using the Office configurator method (CMD), error persists
  11. Editing the registry based on a thread I found that says they changed the registry for ACEOLEDB.DLL (however, I am not coming from upgrading from older Offices like 10 or 14)
    1. I looked for anything that said ACEOLEDB.DLL and made sure it was pointing to the Program Files (x86) instead of just Program Files.
  12. I've checked the security permissions for the application MSACCESS.exe and it has the same replicated permissions as a computer where Access is working
  13. I can't find anything in the event viewer that provides any details every time it fails to open
Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For business | Windows

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5 answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-25T17:40:14+00:00

    I'd contact MS Support. This is one of the rare time (installation) where they will help, at least that's been my experience (although it has been several years since I needed their assistance).

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/customer-service-phone-numbers-c0389ade-5640-e588-8b0e-28de8afeb3f2

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-25T17:30:28+00:00

    I got it to work by opening up the "Get Help" app. But looks like it ran into a problem. Uninstalling it from the control panel isn't what I'm looking for as this method does not fix the issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-25T17:19:40+00:00

    What browser are you using? I've had numerous issues when using anything but Edge.

    It used to be much simpler (that page had a direct download link), but MS redesigned the page and it's much more complicated.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-25T16:00:43+00:00

    Whenever I click on that link on the WVD, the webpage just stays blank (it works on my physical PC though). Doesn't indicate that any popups are blocked.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-04-25T15:57:53+00:00

    Uninstall Office completely using the 'Uninstall Microsoft 365 or Office with the uninstall troubleshooter' method from

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/uninstall-office-from-a-pc-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8

    Then perform a fresh install of Office.

    There should be no need for any Registry Hacks to get it functional.

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