How to remove Security from Access 2002

[Marco Brilo]

Hi all,
I was 'experimenting' with security in MS Access and quickly learnt that it
is something that needs lots of knowledge.. something I lacked about the
subject a few hours ago. I would greatly appreciate some advice on removing
the security I have inadverntly added to all my databases.

I've looked at Joan Wild's website (http://www.jmwild.com/Unsecure.htm) and
found that amongst other gold nuggets of information she posts how to solve
my problem, however I get stuck at step 3. 'Grant full permissions on all
objects to the Users Group'. I don't quite know how to set that in the
window.. my guess is Joan's help is for Access 2000.

I've looked through other posts and seems like people have had my problem
solved but for Access 2000 or earlier. Also I can't seem to find the
system.mdw on my hard drive, does 2002 version have this file?

The databases are on a LAN that other users have access to as well.
The following steps is what I did to get to where I am now:
1. I Used the User-Level Security Wizard from Tools->Security
2. I chose "I want to make this my default workgroup information file"
3. I went through the remaining steps creating myself and leaving the
current user in there as admin.

I have no problems accessing the database with the password I set but the
issue is that myself and every other user will have to login from now on,
something that we don't want. I would like the users to simply open the
database without a login screen.
What can I do go back to the way things were without any security?
Help please!!
Marco

 

[Joan Wild]

The wizard in 2002 created a backup of your mdb, before security was
applied. You'll find it in the same folder as your mdb, but it'll have a
bak extension. Just rename it back to have a mdb extension.

Open Access (no mdb) and go to Tools, Security, Workgroup Administrator.
Rejoin the standard system.mdw workgroup file. Do a search for it first
using Start, Search. Be sure to search hidden/system folders too.

The above will get you back to square one. For your other questions:
The webpage applies to all versions. Tools, Security, Permissions - select
the Groups option and then select the Users Group. Now grant full
permissions on everything.

You would have been better in step 2 to not make this workgroup file you
default. You want to leave your default as system.mdw and use a desktop
shortcut (which the wizard would create for you) to launch your secure mdb.

 

[Marco Brilo]

Hi Joan,
Very nice to hear from you. Thanks very much for your advice, as usual you
seem to be a fountain of knowledge. I will do the renaming bit first thing
back in the office tomorrow, but I have searched throughly through my folders
using the search function including hidden files and folders but have not
found system.mdw working group file. I did however just did a search on my
Home computer and found it, can I use this on my work computer? I don't have
any security set up on my home MS Access databases so this one should be
'pristine'.

What is a good place to put it in my harddrive? If this isn't it, is
there someplace online I could download it from?

Once again thank kindly for your help.
Marco

 

[Joan Wild]

If you have the same version of Access, then the system.mdw will work.

However note that Access can't work without a mdw file, so it must be
located somewhere on your computer.

If you open Access and hit Ctrl-G and type
?dbengine.systemdb
it will tell you the full path to system.mdw

However, since you are joined by default to your secure mdw, that is what
it'll show. So just rename your secure mdw, open Access and try the above -
it'll tell you the path to system.mdw

 

[Marco Brilo]

Joan,
Just back in the office today, your advice worked perfectly, thanks very
much.
I did exactly what you said, even found the system.mdw on my computer so I
didn't need to copy it from my home computer. Everything is back to the way
it should be, I feel indebted to you. I wish the microsoft access books I
have were more informative about this stuff. Is there an access 2002 or 2003
book you would recommend for amateur data manager like myself who knows about
databases, and vba but not much more advanced than that.
Thanks

 

[Joan Wild]

Glad you got things working.
I recommend Microsoft Office Access 2003 Inside Out by John L. Viescas ISBN
0-7356-1513-6

If you want a book entirely on Access security, Real World Microsoft Access
Database Protection and Security by Garry Robinson (more info at
http://www.vb123.com/map/ )

For an advanced book, one shouldn't be without Access 2002 Developer's
Handbook by Litwin, Getz, Gunderloy ISBN 0-7821-4009-2

 

[Marco Brilo]

Thanks again Joan!
I owe you one.
Marco

Glad you got things working.
I recommend Microsoft Office Access 2003 Inside Out by John L. Viescas ISBN
0-7356-1513-6

If you want a book entirely on Access security, Real World Microsoft Access
Database Protection and Security by Garry Robinson (more info at
http://www.vb123.com/map/ )

For an advanced book, one shouldn't be without Access 2002 Developer's
Handbook by Litwin, Getz, Gunderloy ISBN 0-7821-4009-2