How to Unlock Microsoft Access Database

You cannot make changes to a locked database.

When a user opens a Microsoft Access database, the program creates a locking file that prevents changes from being made to the table structure and other essential parts of the database. After all of the users close the database, that locking file is automatically deleted, allowing database administrators to once again make changes to the file. Sometimes, however, that locking file remains in place, and the network administrator will have to clear it manually.

Instructions

1. Check with every user in the department to see if they have the database file open. Sometimes users will minimize their database windows and forget that the file is still open.

2. Log on to the server housing the database and click the "Start" button. Choose "Control Panel" and double click "Administrative Tools."

3. Open "Computer Manager" and choose "Shared Folders." Click "Open Files" and locate a file with an "ldb" extension. Right click the file and choose "Close" from the list.

4. Click the F5 key to refresh the screen. When the ldb file is no longer open you can delete it, and this will unlock the database.