ACC2000: "Can't Encrypt Database" Error Message Is Misleading

ID: Q199142

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Access 2000

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

SUMMARY

When you try to encrypt a database, you may receive the following error message:

You can't encrypt a database that you didn't create or don't own. See the owner of the database or your workgroup administrator.

This message is incomplete. It should also include being a member of the Admins group of the system database that was in use when the database was created as a requirement for encrypting the database.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Access requires that one of the following be true for the person trying to encrypt a database:

The person is the owner of the database.

The person is the creator of the database.

The person is a member of the Admins group in the workgroup (the default name is System.mdw) that was in use when the database was created.

NOTE: Encrypting a database compacts the database file and makes it unreadable by a utility program or word processor. It is used to prevent someone using a file or disk editor from reading or writing data directly to an .MDB file, bypassing the Microsoft Jet database engine.

REFERENCES

Additional query words:


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbdta 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999