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When I try to open my access database, it gives me this error message:

MB 0 Reputation points
2026-02-17T02:40:26.6566667+00:00

Is there anything I can do to not mess it up and to be able to use it?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For business | Other
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  1. Anonymous
    2026-02-17T03:20:41.22+00:00

    Hi MB

    Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum and sharing your experience.

    It appears that the exact error message was not included. As this is a public forum, please paste the full error text with any personal information or file paths removed. Alternatively, you may share screenshots or supporting files via Private Message to help protect your personal data. Also, if you pasted an image into the editor, please make sure you use "Insert image" to confirm the upload.

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    In the meantime, you can consider creating a backup copy of the database file and performing any troubleshooting only on the copy, as repair actions may truncate data in damaged tables. Then, run Compact and Repair on the copied file. For your reference: Compact and repair a database – Microsoft Support.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-02-17T02:40:39.76+00:00

    When you encounter an error message while trying to open your Access database, it may indicate that the database requires a newer version of Microsoft Access or that there are issues with file associations. Here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue without risking further problems:

    1. Check Access Version: Ensure that you are using Microsoft Access 2016 or later, as older versions may not support certain data types like BigInt. If you need to use BigInt, consider updating to Access 2016 version 16.0.7xxx.xxxx or later.
    2. Change Data Type: If updating is not an option, and if the use of BigInt is not necessary, you can change the data type from Large Number to Number. However, make sure to back up your database before making any changes, as converting data types can lead to data loss if not handled properly.
    3. File Association Issues: If you receive an error about the file not being a valid Win32 application or lacking an associated program, you may need to fix file associations. You can do this by:
      • Right-clicking on the database file, selecting "Open with," and choosing Microsoft Access. Make sure to check the box that says "Always use this app to open .accdb files."
      • If that doesn't work, you may need to modify the registry to correct the file association. Be cautious when editing the registry and consider backing it up first.
    4. Registry Key Check: If Access is not detecting the correct version, you may need to check the registry key that specifies the configured version of Access. Ensure that it points to the correct version of Access you are using.

    By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot the issue without risking further complications. If problems persist, consider seeking assistance from a professional or Microsoft support.

    References:

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