How to allow access with vba forms and modules run on another laptop?

Dan Griswold 0 Reputation points
2026-08-10T19:52:36.5433333+00:00

I built an Access database which is basically a frontend that uses forms with vba code and passthrough queries to connect to a SQL Server database. It works fine on the machine I built it on, but when I try to run it on my new laptop it hides a bunch of forms and modules.

What is required for me to use this Access database on my new laptop?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | Development

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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-10T19:52:59.35+00:00

    What is most likely happening is that the database is opening as untrusted on the new laptop. In Access, when a database is untrusted, it opens in Disabled mode, which turns off executable content. That includes:

    • VBA code and references
    • unsafe macro actions
    • SQL Pass Through Queries
    • ActiveX controls

    If VBA and pass-through queries are disabled, forms that depend on them may not work correctly, and modules cannot be used as expected.

    To use the database on the new laptop:

    1. Open Access.
    2. Go to File > Options.
    3. Select Trust Center.
    4. Under Microsoft Office Access Trust Center, select Trust Center Settings.
    5. Select Trusted Locations.
    6. Either note an existing trusted folder path or click Add new location to create one.
    7. Move or copy the Access database file into that trusted location.
    8. Open the database again from that trusted location.

    If the database is intended for multiple machines, a better deployment approach is to keep it as a split design:

    • SQL Server as the back-end for data
    • an Access front-end containing forms, reports, queries, macros, VBA modules, and linked tables

    For deployment to another laptop, also verify:

    • the new laptop has the correct version of Access
    • the 32-bit or 64-bit version matches what the application requires, because incorrect bitness can affect Windows API calls, DLL references, and ActiveX controls
    • if the front-end uses an ODBC DSN file, that DSN must also be installed on the new laptop; otherwise a DSN-less connection can avoid that requirement

    If the file being used is an .accde, its VBA code cannot be viewed or modified by design. To change forms, reports, or modules, the original .accdb must be edited and then saved again as .accde.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. JeseminQH 515 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-11T01:27:53.1+00:00

    Hi @Dan Griswold

    Regarding your issue, this is most likely happening because your Access file is only one part of the application. The old computer had the correct Access settings, drivers, permissions, and connections around that file, while the new laptop does not yet have the same environment.

    Here are a few steps you can try:

    1. Add the Database Folder to "Trusted Locations"
    • Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings...
    • Select Trusted Locations.
    • Click Add new location... and select the folder where your Access database lives.
    • Check "Subfolders of this location are also trusted" if applicable.

    For more details, please refer to: Add, remove, or change a trusted location in Microsoft Office

    1. Unhide the Navigation Pane & Startup Settings
    • Open Access while holding down the SHIFT key. (This bypasses startup macros and custom form loading routines).
    • Press F11 to toggle the Navigation Pane open.
    • If objects appear dimmed or missing, right-click the top of the Navigation Pane, select Navigation Options, and check Show Hidden Objects and Show System Objects.
    • User's image

    User's image

    • Go to File > Options > Current Database and make sure Display Navigation Pane is checked.
    • User's image

    For more details, please refer to: Bypass startup options when you open a database

    Hopefully this helps resolve the issue. If anything is unclear or the issue persists, feel free to reply below.

    Any updates you’re able to share would be really helpful. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing how things are going!

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

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