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Minnierose's avatar
Minnierose
Copper Contributor
Apr 28, 2022

Unlock Access database

Hello. This may be a silly question, but how do you unlock Access databases? Each time I open a database, in my file explorer there is a second file that opens and has the extension .laccdb. I cannot...
access
isladogs's avatar
isladogs
MVP
Apr 28, 2022
Each time an Access file is opened normally, a lock file with suffix .laccdb is created.
It SHOULD be deleted automatically when the database is closed.
Are you saying that doesn't happen?
Minnierose's avatar
Minnierose
Copper Contributor
Apr 28, 2022
No, it does delete after I close the DB. But when I try to do certain things, like create a backup of the file, I get a message that the file is open elsewhere so I cannot save. I am the only one on my computer, and the only one with access to Access.
Is it possible to get rid of the lock that I mistakenly put on my Access?
  • George_Hepworth's avatar
    George_Hepworth
    Silver Contributor
    Apr 28, 2022

    Minnierose 

     

    Ah, that's clearer. This .lccdb file has nothing to do with the problem itself, then. 

     

    When you say you want to "create a back up of the file", are you referring to the .accdb itself? Or something else?

    Also, HOW do you go about creating that backup? Step by step is better.

    • Minnierose's avatar
      Minnierose
      Copper Contributor
      Apr 29, 2022

      George_Hepworth 

      I cannot reply with any certainty, as I am only learning Access. We were in class and trying to save a backup of the 2002-2003 version, so we could "send" it to someone who has a later model of Access. When I finish the steps (going into the File tab, click on "save as", choose the Access 2002-2003 Database), and hit Save As, a message comes up telling me that the file is in use on my computer, so I cannot save it. It happens at other times as well, when trying to save different things. This afternoon it happened when I was trying to create a look-up list in one of the fields. There were no other versions of the file open, but I was getting a message that there was.

      • George_Hepworth's avatar
        George_Hepworth
        Silver Contributor
        Apr 29, 2022

        Minnierose 

         

        Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to trouble-shoot problems such as this on a computer we can't see.

         

        The more details you can provide (the more specifically you can describe factors) the more likely we'll be to be able to offer useful suggestions.

         

        So some things we'd need to explore.

        What version are YOU using here to save to the Access 2002-2003 version? The exact error message said that the Access file itself was in use? Is this the same one you have open at that moment? Are you trying to save over the top of an existing mdb file? If so, is it open?

         

        Screenshots go a long way towards helping us see and understand the situation. 

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