Access .mdb files slow to open

Question

OS:  Windows 10 Version 1709 Build 16299.967

MS Office 2013 (32-bit)

Installed applications:

Microsoft Access 2013

Microsoft Access Runtime 2016 x86

Access exceptionally slow in opening .mdb files.  Even smaller files (10MB or less)--regardless of file location (local or network)--take several minutes to open.  Larger files, of course, take even longer.  Attempts have been made with multiple .mdb files.  Environment is a public sector enterprise (1500 clients) in a large building and this is occurring on client machines (some, not all) in different physical locations serviced by different network switches--so most likely not a network issue.  Adjustment of settings within Access have not yielded any positive results.

The odd thing is if user opens an instance of Access and opens these same files (Open other files->Browse) using the open application, the files open almost immediately.

Please advise and thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I had the same problem -- Access 2016 run-time on a Surface Tablet. I had two accounts on this computer, a local "admin" type account and a user account. It took twice as long top open Access DBs on the user account as it did the "admin" account.

I had locked down the user account pretty well. This included setting Internet Options to a fake proxy so that the user couldn't browse the Internet, only run Access apps. I decided to take out the fake proxy redirect. Bingo!!! The databases pops right up now. It seems that Access run-time is trying to "phone home" to do something. If it can't it keeps trying and then probably gives up and then DB app finally opens.

Answer 2

If you disable your virus protection for a moment, and perform the same tasks, does the symptom still present itself?  The reason I ask is that in recent memory, our virus software used to scan mdb/accdb files on open (ie: dbl-click or right-click open), and I believe the Access.exe was scanned as well when that scan thread was started. Until our network guys fixed that, we experienced similar symptoms.

Answer 3

Hi Corey,

Does this happen only with Access files?  Does double-clicking on an Excel or Word file have the same issue?

When you double-click the Access database, does Access open right away, and then take several minutes before getting the database open, or is there a long delay before Access opens?

Is there any kind of progress indication, or hourglass, or other indication that something is happening during this time?

Does it make any difference if Access is already running or not when you double-click the file?

If you right-click on the file to open a context menu, is the first thing on the menu "Open", in bold text?

Thanks,

Shane Groff

Access Engineering

Answer 4

.accdb has same results--sorry I didn't include that with my submission

all machines tested were v1709 build 16299.904 except one that was v1703 build 15063.1631

Wouldn't deduce permissions since results are the same with files locally stored or in a network location--and there aren't any permissions set on these .mdb files (they are permitting applications uploaded by a particular industry)

I tried Office repair which yielded no positive results...

Thanks for all your efforts!

Answer 5

The same isn't true if working with accdb files?

You say "on client machines (some, not all)", what's the difference between machines?

• Build No
• User Permissions
• ...

Have you tried performing an Office Repair?

Yours is not the first post mentioning similar symptom, so I've reached out the the Access Dev Team, we'll see what comes of it.