Question Unset password in Access 2007

[cherryblossom]

I have followed the Microsoft instructions; ie I have opened the database in Exclusive mode, but Decrypt Database does not appear under Database Tools, so there is no Unset Database Password dialog box. I am stuck!

 

[John Big Booty]

Is this a DB that you wrote and have now forgotten the Pass Word?

 

[Galaxiom]

Decrypt will only appear for accdb files. Perhpas your datbase is an mdb.
The button is in th same place but just says something about a Password.

 

[cherryblossom]

Thanks, both.

I haven't forgotten the password - but I do want to remove it.

The database is an accdb, but the decrypt options simply don't appear on the ribbon. Curious!

 

[Galaxiom]

Perhaps you have defined a custom ribbon for the database?
Do you have the DataBase Tools subgroup on the Database Tools Ribbon?

The Password/Encryption button normally sits between the Switchboard Manager and Add-Ins. To the left should be Linked Table Manager and to the right Make ACCDE.

 

[cherryblossom]

No custom ribbon. All the buttons are there in Database Tools, BUT I never see Decrypt Database, only Encrypt with Password (even after opening my passworded database with Exclusive use). Strange or what?

 

[Galaxiom]

Sounds like Access doesn't think it is encrypted.
What happens when you press the Encrypt with Password button?
Maybe you can give it a new empty password.

 

[cherryblossom]

I can certainly re-set the password that way. However, the reason I want to remove the password is that, for some reason, the password is preventing me from compacting the database! I have tried compacting the database from within, and from Access itself, and neither method works.

What I have done as a (temporary and undesirable) workaround, is to copy all the database objects to a new database which has no password protection. The file size is much reduced and I can compact the database. The problem is that I have confidential client data in the database and need to secure it. Still pondering this.

Thanks for your interest!