Return Settings to System.mdw

[webunit]

I've read the excellent post by Olduke many times that explains about the
need to set up a mdw file named differently from system.mdw. However I've
never quite understood the last line of the post that reads:

"Don't forget to return the settings to System.mdw when the user logs off."

What does this mean and how is it done?

Thanks.

 

[Joan Wild]

Access always uses some mdw file. It ships with one named system.mdw and uses that for all sessions.

When you secure a mdb, you create a new mdw to use with it. You leave the 'system.mdw' alone so that it can be used with all unsecured databases. You use your new secure.mdw to use with your secure mdb.

Leave the system.mdw set as your default mdw (done via Tools, Security, Workgroup administrator)

Create a desktop shortcut to use for your secure mdb. The shortcut uses the /wrkgrp switch to over-ride the default (system.mdw) and use your secure mdw for that session of Access. The target would look like
"path to msaccess.exe" "path to secure mdb" /wrkgrp "path to secure.mdw"

Any other session of Access will use the standard system.mdw (no login), while the session started with the shortcut will use your secure mdw.

 

[webunit]

Yes, I've done everything written in your reply. I just thought that maybe
there was something additional I had to do since the instruction is to
"...return the settings to system.mdw when the user logs off." Now that I
think of it, correct me if i'm wrong, use of a shortcut with the /wrkgrp
switch does this automatically.

 

[Joan Wild]

You have it right.

 

[Olduke]

My fault for being unclear.
In the old days of Access, you had to manually tell the system to go back to
system.mdw after you closed the secured.mdw. This has not been necessary for
Access 2000 and later versions.
Sorry, it was force of habit.

 

[Keith Wilby]

My fault for being unclear.
In the old days of Access, you had to manually tell the system to go back
to
system.mdw after you closed the secured.mdw. This has not been necessary
for
Access 2000 and later versions.

That certainly isn't true of A97.

 

[Joan Wild]

You have never had to do this if using a desktop shortcut. If you changed your default to secured.mdw, then yes you would have to change it back.