ScottGem

Sorry no version of Access has ever had an option to convert to an EXE. I don't know what you remember but it doesn't exist. The only way to distribute Access to someone who doesn't have the full version installed is using the Run time version.

What you may be thinking of is converting to MDE. This "compiles" the file so someone cannot get into the forms, reports or modules to make changes.

erosinski

an mdb must be run with access. there is another way to do it if you are distrubuting to people who do not have access... you supply them with access runtime software. If you buy Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Office 2003 for newer versions of access, or Microsoft office developer for older versions, you can supply them with the runtime environment. When you take this route you will not be doing anything illegal.. if you supply them with the actual program then it is considered piracy. Microsoft made it hard, but it can be done.

mazer77

You mentioned that "you can supply them with the runtime environment", how is this done? I have the Microsoft Visual Studio tools, now I'd like to have other computers not running Access, have access to my database.

Thanks in advance.

erosinski

this is a good article that may help you. http://www.jamiessoftware.tk/articles/runtime.html

ScottGem

You need the Visual Studio Tools for Microsoft Office. This is an addon that includes development tools including the Access runtime license and a packaging tool for distributing the runtime with your app.