ACC: Running Current & Earlier Access Versions Simultaneously

ID: Q159333

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

You can install multiple versions of Microsoft Access on the same computer, and you can even run the separate versions simultaneously with one exception: you cannot run Microsoft Access 1.x and 2.0 at the same time.


MORE INFORMATION

As long as you set up each version of Microsoft Access in its own folder (directory), you can have more than one version installed on your computer at the same time.

NOTE: You may receive an error message if you install Microsoft Access 7.0 on a computer where Microsoft Access 97 is already installed. For information about resolving the error, please see the following article here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q159793 ACC: "Can't Load Mspdox35.dll" Err Msg Installing MS Access 95

When you have multiple versions of Microsoft Access on the same computer, Microsoft Windows can only associate one version of Microsoft Access with the .mdb file extension. By default the version of Microsoft Access you installed most recently starts when you open an .mdb file directly using a shortcut, an icon, Windows Explorer, or File Manager. If you want to open a database (.mdb) file in another version of Microsoft Access, you must start that version and then open the database.

You can change which version of Microsoft Access is associated automatically with the .mdb file extension using the instructions below.

NOTE: Windows 95 and Windows NT version 4.0 offer the Open With and Send To shortcut menu commands as alternatives to changing the .mdb file association. For more information about using these options, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q141017 How to Add Items to the "Send To" List



Q141275 How to Open a File with Other Than Associated Program

Changing File Association in Windows 95 and Windows NT version 4.0


  1. Using the right mouse button (right-click), click the Start button and then click Explore.


  2. On the View menu, click Options.


  3. Click the File Types tab.


  4. Select Microsoft Access Database or Microsoft Access Database Application in the Registered file types box, and then click Edit.


  5. In the Actions box, select "Open," and then click Edit.


  6. Type the following in the "Application used to perform action" box to associate .mdb files with Microsoft Access 1.x or 2.0: 
    
      C:\Access\Msaccess.exe %1

    Use the following command line for Microsoft Access 7.0 or 97: 
    
      C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Msaccess.exe /Nostartup "%1"

    NOTE: Substitute your path to the correct version of Msaccess.exe if it differs from the examples above.


  7. Click OK in the Editing Action for Type dialog box.


  8. Click OK in the Edit File Type dialog box.


  9. Click OK in the Options dialog box, and then quit Windows Explorer.


Changing File Association in Windows NT version 3.51


  1. Double-click the File Manager icon in the Main group.


  2. On the File menu, click Associate.


  3. Type mdb in the Files with Extension box.


  4. Click Change Type.


  5. Type the following in the Command box to associate .mdb files with Microsoft Access 1.x or 2.0: 
    
      C:\Access\Msaccess.exe %1

    Use the following command for Microsoft Access 7.0 or 97: 
    
      C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Msaccess.exe /Nostartup "%1"

    NOTE: Substitute your path to the correct version of Msaccess.exe if it differs from the examples above.


  6. Click OK in the Change File Type dialog box.


  7. Click OK in the Associate dialog box.



REFERENCES

For more information about associating file types with programs, search the Windows 95 or Windows NT version 4.0 Help Index for "associating."

Additional query words: concurrent concurrently previous 


Keywords          : kbenv kbsetup 
Version           : 1.0 1.1 2.0 7.0 97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: April 14, 1999