Unable to Open Microsoft Access

Question

Hi - I have MS Access on my computer but when I try to open it I get an error. My co-workers are able to open it without issue. my error is " The Microsoft Access Runtime is installed on this machine. You must start Microsoft access by double-clicking access file or by running Microsoft Access from a command prompt with a database specified". Any idea how I can get it to open normally?

Answer 1

Apparently, based on the error message, you do not have a full version of Access. You have only the Runtime version. Runtime only opens a specific accdb and runs it without any ability to make changes to the objects in it. Only data can be changed in Runtime, and only if you follow the directions in that error message to open a specific accdb.

Answer 2

Dear Larry G. 612,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

I noticed that your colleague seems to be able to open Access, you can try repairing Office from the Control Panel: Go to Control Panel -> Programs -> right-click on Office applications’ icon -> Change -> Online Repair.

Also, please refer to the suggestions of GroverParkGeorge, go Control Panel ->Programs -> Features and programs to check whether you intalled Microsoft 365 Access Runtime. If you found that, please uninstall taht to check the result.

Hope this will help you.

Sincerely,

Tin | Microsoft Community Moderator