Unable to Open 32-Bit Microsoft Access Application on 64-Bit System

Question

I am using a Microsoft Access application developed for a 32-bit system.
When I try to run it on a 64-bit system, the application does not open.
Does a 32-bit Access application support a 64-bit system?
If yes, could you please suggest any solutions to resolve this issue?
If no, what steps should I take to make the application compatible and resolve this problem?

Answer 1

Hi Dev Bansode,

Greetings. Thank you for posting the thread to our community.

I understand your concern, it seems you cannot open Microsoft Access 32-bit version on your 64-Bit Windows OS. For the situation you’ve encountered, I do understand the inconvenience caused and feel very sorry about it.

In that case, to narrow down the situation and identify the root cause of your issue, May I confirm the following information with you?

1. May I confirm whether the issue happened before? Can you properly open other 32-Bit Office apps (Word, Excel, etc.) on your 64-Bit OS?
2. Is there any error message or abnormal situation when you open Access? If yes, Please provide me related screenshots of the situation you’ve encountered.
3. May I confirm the full version number of your Office suite? (Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features)? Please provide me a screenshot of your Office suite version in the following format:

Meanwhile, to answer your first query: “Does a 32-bit Access application support a 64-bit system?”. As far as I know, technically, 32-bit application can be compatible to the 64-bit Windows OS. Here is the related support article official as reference for you: Overview of the compatibility considerations for 32-bit programs on 64-bit versions of Windows - Windows Server | Microsoft Learn. However, many other situations (Windows updates, Office updates, even hardware compatibility) may cause the failure of running 32-bit app. In that case, Please kindly provide me the requested information above so that I can provide you indicated suggestion or help you reach the corresponding support according to your situation.

Appreciate your understanding as well that sometimes the initial reply may not resolve the situation very soon. However, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation. Please kindly provide the requested information so that I can work further.

Hope you having a nice day😊.

Sincerely,

Harry | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

When you refer to a "4-bit system", do you refer to Windows or to MS Access as being 64 bit? I assume the latter, but "system" is a bit ambiguous in this context.

32 bit Access database do open and run under 64 bit Access, although some things that might need to be modified to run properly.

Does an error appear when you try to open the accdb in 64 bit Access? Does nothing at all happen? Describe, if you can, in more detail what you see and don't see, please. Thank you.

Answer 3

Getting the above error on opening the application

Answer 4

Okay, so you have an accdb developed in 32 bit Access and you are now using 64 bit Access. Thank you for clarifying that.

You need to modify the APIs in this accdb accordingly. There are many excellent resources around the internet on doing that.

Here are some good videos, for example. They'll explain the problem and how to deal with it.

You can also search for blog posts and articles.

https://youtu.be/B4U9CBgqE_U?si=jv_bFMPThPq3VVY8

https://youtu.be/uaIWrBguynQ?si=UuwY095NheLM5k8z

https://youtu.be/NE-ixCSkEgI?si=jWpc9z924bY9xEuJ