As we all know, an ACCDB is a default file format for MS Access databases that replaced the older MDB file format. The newer file format supports advanced features such as multi-value fields, macros, and encryption. However, sometimes you forgot Access database password ACCDB and may need to recover it. In this blog, you will learn how to perform ACCDB password recovery and access the password-protected database.
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What’s Access Database Locking?
Password defending an Access database permits you to defend sensitive data from prying eyes. At times, you might encrypt Access using a password and then misplace or overlook a password and consequently don’t have access to the MS Access database file.
But do not panic, because now you can securely and efficiently recover Access mdb, accdb file password that’s forgotten or lost on Windows 8/7/Vista/XP by way of four influential assault types: Brute-force with Mask Attack, Brute-Force Attack, Smart Attack, and Dictionary Attack. The program chains every version of MS Access counting Access 95/97/2000/XP/2003/2007/2010.
What’s The Need Of Locking The Access Database?
MS Office Access application facilitates the user to set up a password on their Access database file so that other people are not in a state to open or even modify the document.
But the sad part arises when you forget the password in Access Database then its quite troublesome to recover Access database password. As the office password system is very complex and common Access password recovery fails to work.
Maintaining the security and privacy of your data is the first priority for every Access database user after seeing the increasing hack attempts of everyday routine. But using a long and complex password has more chances to forget. If you are in the same situation and have forgotten your MS Access Database Password then be calm and have a complete look at this tutorial.
What Locking File Microsoft Access Database Uses?
When you create an Access database it generates a copy of the same with the same name but with a locking file extension of either an LDB (Microsoft Access 2003 or earlier) or LACCDB (Microsoft Access 2007 or later).
The file should automatically generate and extinguish itself when opening and closing your Access database. The outcome of this is you don’t need to do anything with it unless you want to.
Where And How Access Database Stores The Password?
You have lost or forgotten your MS Access password and looking for some perfect solution to Access database password recovery. Before trying to recover Access Database password, it’s important to learn how Access stores its password.
Technically, MS Access database password is stored in the following regular pattern.
1). Jet 3 –
In this mode, the MS Access database password gets saved in the header of the MDB file and the format remains as plain text.
2) Jet 4 –
In this, the password is encrypted with a basic XOR pattern algorithm depending on data and times of film production. Further, it saves data in the MDB file header.
3) Jet 3 & 4 –
The password is further encrypted with an XOR pattern affecting the MDB file.
4) ACCBD Files –
The password is not encrypted as plain text in the header file at all. Instead, the new # value is allocated to authenticate the user’s password validation. Hash produced by the tool is a combination of two RC4 and SHA-1 algorithms.
In order to encrypt your Access database if you have chosen the pattern then it’s quite difficult to crack. This especially applies with the ACCDB files but MDB files are still possible to be recovered.
Manual Ways To Unlock MS Access .mdb & .accdb File:
Here are the following fixes on how to unlock Access database password:
Method 1# Using Decompile Option
You can try copying the database into a different location. The feature won’t be locked for any reason. Then you can try working the way you want to until you resolve the lock issue that’s occurring with the original file.
And if you are facing this error because of the VB code corruption of the file, try opening the database with the help of the “/decompile” option. To do this follow the steps mentioned beneath:
Start Run:
“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\msaccess.exe” “C:\example.mdb” /decompile
If there is no .ldb file related to the MDB, it will be complicated to find out the exact user that’s locking your database. If you have a very limited number of users, you should start again their systems. It would be a primitive technique but is quickest to try rather than accdb password recovery through additional procedures.
Also Read: How To Encrypt / Decrypt OR Crack MS Access Database Password In Just Few Simple Steps…!
Method 2# Open Password Protected Access Database With VBA Code
Well, this method of opening a password protected Access database with VBA code only applicable for the lower Access Database version i.e 2000-2007. If you are an Access 2010-2013 user then try other fixes to Unlock Access Database.
Follow the below steps to unlock password-protected Access database using VBA code:
Step 1: Make a fresh database without applying for any password protection.
Step 2: Now open your newly created Access database file and press the button “Alt + F11” from your keyboard. This will open the
Microsoft Visual Basic for Application.
Step 3: From the menu bar, tap the “Insert” option, and after that choose the “Module” tab.
Step 4: Just copy down the following VBA code, mentioned below. After then paste it on the module section.
Sub OpenDB()
Dim db As Database
Dim ws As WorkSpace
Dim rst As Recordset
Set ws = DBEngine.WorkSpaces(0)
Set db = ws.OpenDatabase _ (“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Samples\Northwind.mdb”, _ False, False, “MS Access;PWD=northwind”)
Set rst = db.OpenRecordset(“Customers”, dbOpenDynaset)
If rst.RecordCount > 0 Then
rst.MoveLast
MsgBox rst!CustomerID
End If
rst.Close
db.Close
End Sub
Now change the location of this new database file to the same location of your locked Access database.
Step 5: Tap the Run Macro button, or else press the F5 button from your keyboard. This will execute the application.
After a while, you will see that your locked mdb/accdb file will get unlocked without any password.
Method 3# Remove Password From Your MS Access Database
Another very simple way to unlock Access database without any much effort is by removing the password. Here are the following steps to perform this:
Step 1: At first you need to open your Access accdb file with a password. After then go to the File tab and then on the Open option.
If you directly click on the Decrypt Database option, then you will encounter with the following message box.
Step 2:
After then choose the accdb file that you are willing to decrypt. Then tap to the drop-down list present within the Open option and from this choose the “Open Exclusive” option.
If required, just enter the password in the opened text box again.
Step 3: Hit on the File option. After then on the Decrypt Database option.
Step 4: In the opened Unset Database Password dialog box, you need to enter the password, and tap to the OK option.
Now you will see that you don’t need to enter any password while opening your Access database.
Automatic Solution For ACCDB Password Recovery:
The second thing that you can do for the Access password recovery is use the Access Database Repair And Recovery Tool. This is probably the best alternative option to unlock Access database password.
Disengage MDB Files using Access Repair and Recovery Tool. It’s the best tool to retrieve lost data from encrypted mdb/accdb file and makes easy recovery from corrupted MS Access 95/97/2000/2002/2003/2020/2013/2019 databases. It works to retrieve password-protected forms and modules.

* 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.
Key Features Of MS Access Tool:
- Recover the exact password of the MDB & ACCDB file to open the Access document
- Supports recovering Multilingual or complex Access Database passwords
- Allows to Open MS Access file document after password recovery
- With this tool, users can remove or recover passwords for MDB/accdb file forms and modules
- Supports MS Access 2013 & below versions to unlock MDB/ACCDB password
- Supports Windows 10 & below versions to reset MS Access database password.
Steps To Unlock MS Access Database
Related FAQs:
How to Password Protect Access Database?
To password protect Access database, follow these steps:
- Open the MS Access database.
- Navigate to the File tab >> click Info >> click Encrypt with Password.
- Now, you will see the Set Database Password
- Simply type the password of your choice in the Password box.
- Retype the password to confirm then click OK.
How Do I Open ACCDB Files Without Access?
You can open and edit Access ACCDB files without Access application by using OpenOffice Base or LibreOffice Base.
How Do I Repair ACCDB Files?
You can repair a corrupted ACCDB file by navigating to File > Info > Compact & Repair Database. Now, Access creates a new copy of the compacted & repaired database in the same location.
Time to Closure
It’s time to conclude!
Now, you must have complete knowledge of how to do ACCDB password recovery smartly. But if in case, the manual solution fails to work then undoubtedly approach the Access Recovery Software. As it is the best-suited option to unlock your locked Access database without getting stuck in any data loss situation.
Do try all the fixes and share your experiences with us whether you have succeeded in recovering Access database password or not.
This software repairs & restores all ACCDB/MDB objects including tables, reports, queries, records, forms, and indexes along with modules, macros, and other stuffs effectively. Still having issues? Fix them with this Access repair tool: