How to Fix “Microsoft Access Was Unable to Initialize the Windows Registry” Error?

When starting Microsoft Access, you may encounter the error message “Access Was Unable to Initialize the Windows Registry.” This error disrupts your work & prevents database access. It usually occurs because of permission issues, damaged user profiles, or corrupted registry keys. Regardless of the reasons, it can be fixed by using the best solutions mentioned here.

So, without wasting any further time, let’s get started…

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Reasons for Microsoft Access Can’t Be Started Unable To Initialize the Windows Registry

There are a wide variety of reasons behind the occurrence of Access database error 7899 (unable to initialize the Windows Registry)

Due to Corrupted Registry Files
Virus or Malware Infection
Lack of Adequate Permissions
Registry Key or Value Errors
3^rd-Party Software Conflict.

How to Fix Microsoft Access Was Unable to Initialize the Windows Registry Error?

Follow the step-by-step methods below to troubleshoot this error with less effort.

Fix 1- Try Some Basic Tricks

Try a hard reboot to restore the Windows registry.
If still after rebooting, the problem persists then perform the modify / repair on the MS Access in Program And Files.

Fix 2- Review The Loadappinit_Dlls Registry Key

The LoadAppInit_DLLs registry key must be set to 0, but another program may have changed its value.

Hit the WINDOWS-R from your keyboard. This will open the Run option.
Enter the REGEDIT and tap the OK button.
This will open the Registry Editor, now search for the LoadAppInit_DLLs:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\LoadAppInit_DLLs

Double-tap the value present for LoadAppInit_DLLs in the Data
In the opened Edit DWORD dialog box, you have to set Value Data to 0.

Now shut down the Registry Editor.
After that restart your PC and start the Access database application again.

Also Read: Fix “Unable To Connect To Access Database” Error

Fix 3- Perform a System Restore

Performing a system restore is an excellent trick that helps to revert your system files & settings to an earlier point when Access was working correctly.

To do so, follow the steps below:

Go to the Windows search bar & search for “Create a restore point” and choose the result.

After that, click System Restore & follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point from before the error started.

Fix 4- Assign Appropriate Permissions to Fix Microsoft Access Was Unable to Initialize the Windows Registry

Another effective method that can help you to solve this error code 7899 is to assign the appropriate permissions. Follow the below steps to do so:

Tap the Start button and then hit the Run option.
Type Regedit and then press the enter button.

Search for the following registry key:

Access 2007:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Licenses\73A4C9C1-D68D-11d0-98BF-00A0C90DC8D9\12.0\Retail

Access 2010:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Licenses\73A4C9C1-D68D-11d0-98BF-00A0C90DC8D9\14.0\Retail

Note

You may encounter the permission problem from the GUID to the retail key. If you are getting the GUID permission problem, then repeat steps 4 to 10 on the retail key or on the 12.0 or 14.0 key.

Make a right-click on the key and then select Permissions.
Tap to the Advanced option.

Choose the Owner.
Now change the owner to the Administrators.
Hit the Apply option and then tap the OK button.
Tap Add type everyone and then hit the Ok option.
Check the full control and hit the Ok.

Fix 5- Remove The Safety

It is the simplest and safest workaround to fix Microsoft Access cannot be started was unable to initialize the Windows Registry error. In this, you have to disable the UAC, and then use it as an administrative account.

Warning: This will degrade your system’s Windows security so be careful if you are performing this solution. Malware will automatically get installed in Windows XP and the previous version.

Open the Control Panel.
After that make double-tap on the User Accounts.

Tap the “Turn User Account Control on or off” option.

Un-tick the option, Use User Account Control (UAC) as this will ultimately help you to protect your PC.
At last hit the Ok.

Now you can easily switch the MS Access versions because you must be in the older versions of Windows.

Also Read: Fix Access You Can’t Delete The Database Object Error

Fix 6- Use Run As Administrator

Make a shortcut for running each of your msaccess.exe files as an administrator. This will allow each of your Access versions to get registered by itself on start-up.

To make this setup, follow the steps below:

Delete if any shortcuts were previously created meanwhile installing the MS Office program.
Now you have to create shortcuts to msaccess.exe from each version of your MS Office program.

Make a right-click on the shortcut and then from the list of options choose the Properties button.

Now hit the Advanced button and then make a check across the Run as Administrator box.

So whenever you start your Access application, you need to hit the continue option from the opened dialog box of User Account Control.

If you are an Access 2007 user, then you don’t need to use the Run As Administrator option, as you can use the normal shortcut.

Note: After doing such changes, just switch to some other version and come back to the previous one before your MS Access application registers itself for the correct library.

Fix 7- Repair the Microsoft Office

Last but not least, if none of the above methods work, try repairing the MS Office suite. This can fix the corrupted Office files that are preventing Access from starting.

Here are the steps to be followed:

Go to the Control Panel>> Programs > Programs and Features.

Find your Office or Microsoft Access installation in the list.
Click Changeor Modify >> select Quick Repair or Online Repair.

Recommended Way: Fix Access Database Corruption

If you are continuously facing Microsoft Access can not be started error when trying to access your database, you must opt for Access Database Repair Software. It might be possible that you are getting this error message due to Access database corruption that can only be fixed by this tool.

This utility deeply scans the corrupt DB file to recover its components with their original attributes. Moreover, it can recover lost records from linked tables, triggers, indexes, queries, etc.

So, just download and install this tool to repair your corrupted Access MDB or ACCDB file and solve this error.

* By clicking the Download button above and installing Stellar Repair for Access (14.8 MB), I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy of this site.

Steps to Use Access Repair Tool

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Also Read: Fix Access “Compile Error: Can’t Find Project or Library”

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Does Microsoft Access Can’t Be Started Error Mean?

Microsoft Access can’t be started unable to initialize the Windows Registry error simply means that there’s an issue preventing MS Access from launching or running properly.

How Do I Fix Error Access to the Registry?

To fix the error Access to the registry by trying the below tips:

Run Registry Editor as Administrator.
Modify Registry Permissions Manually.
Use System File Checker (SFC) and DISM.
Use System Restore.
Boot into Safe Mode.
Create a New Administrator Account.

How Do I Enable Access Database?

To enable the Access database, follow the steps below:

Go to the File > Options.
In the opened Access options window, click on Trust Center.
On the right pane, go to the Microsoft Office Access Trust Center section >> Trust Center Settings.
From the opened Trust Center dialog box, you have to make a tap over the Message Bar.
In the right pane, tap to the option “Show the Message Bar in all applications when active content, such as macros and ActiveX controls, has been blocked”.
At last, click on the OK.

Summarize

The “Microsoft Access cannot be started was unable to initialize the Windows registry” error seems frustrating, but it is easy to fix with the solution specified above. This blog includes solutions like adjusting permissions, repairing Office, or performing a system restore. If deeper system damage exists, registry repair tools help restore key components.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post!

References:

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Pearson Willey

Pearson Willey is a website content writer and long-form content planner. Besides this, he is also an avid reader. Thus he knows very well how to write an engaging content for readers. Writing is like a growing edge for him. He loves exploring his knowledge on MS Access & sharing tech blogs.