Access Thinks it's runtime only

Question

Hello

I have Access 2016 on Windows 7. When I try open Access I get error 502554, "Can't find the database you specified, or you didn't specify a database at all. Specify a valid database name in the command line, and include a path if necessary."

While this is expected if I had the Access runtime only, I know I have the full version (I've used it in the past to create databases). I can't find any information on if there's a fix for this; how do I get the software to think it's the full version again? I've tried opening Access from the desktop icon and from C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Office/Office16/msaccess.exe with the same result.

Thanks,

Phil

Answer 1

I agree with Scott.

If you go to the point of reinstalling it, be sure to first uninstall it using Option 2 from https://support.office.com/en-us/article/uninstall-office-from-a-pc-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8 as other uninstalls can leave "crap" behind that can still cause issues when you reinstall the software.  Options 2 clean ask that out so you new installation should be pristine.

Answer 2

I'd try a repair or reinstall of Office. That should reset everything back to normal.