How to Decrypt Access Database MDB Files Securely

  Chirag Arora
Written By Chirag Arora
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Modified On July 29th, 2025
Reading Time 8 Minutes Reading

In today’s digital era, setting up a password on an MS Access database (.MDB file) has become the norm to keep data safe and secure. It is a standard way to protect essential data from unauthorized access. However, many users often face frequent issues, such as forgetting the access database password and being unable to access their files. Sometimes this protection on files becomes a barrier for the users, and then they search for the best solution to understand how to decrypt access database MDB files effectively.

Well, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through the different methods to decrypt access database files. These methods can easily help you regain access to your files without compromising your data formatting and quickly open your MDB files with full access. Now, let’s discuss in detail.

Why Need to Decrypt Access Database Password?

Microsoft Access databases are commonly used for managing and storing data for both personal and professional use. Every user needs to protect sensitive data and apply passwords to their access database MDB file, but this password-protected file can also create challenges when the password is lost or forgotten. Let’s understand some reasons behind it:

  1. User Forgot Password

Many times, users manage multiple files, and in this case, they forgot the password, and because of this, the database becomes completely inaccessible, where you need to decrypt the access database, especially when the file is in MDB format.

     2. Modifying Database Structure

Many users need to change the structure of an access database file, which involves editing, adding tables, queries, etc. But sometimes this protection can block access to these features, and if you decrypt access database password, it allows modification.

   3. Lost Access after Migration

If you upgrade the system or migrate to new hardware or software at that time, password details might be lost. In this situation, saved credentials may not carry over, and the user will not have access to the password. You need to decrypt Access database MDB files.

NOTE: Read Some Tips Before Decrypting MS Access Password 
Before decrypting the password from Access database MDB files, you should be aware of some important tips to remember about decryption. Let’s get a quick look:

  • Access MDB file encryption is done on the page level rather than the level of data, so in this scenario, MDB database decryption is possible easily.
  • Once the user encrypts the Access database MDB file, then you com encrypt the complete database that consists of tables, queries, indexes, records, forms, and many more
  • When users set a password for the Access database, to prevents their files or makes MDB files protected from unauthorized access. Mainly, it does not affect any security and makes the database protected, which can be decrypted only by using the proper password.

Instant Steps to Learn How to decrypt Access database

  1. Install and run the SysTools software.
  2. Select to Add password-protected Access MDB file.
  3. Choose an MS Access database MDB file.
  4. Click on the Recover option to decrypt Access database.
  5. View and copy the decrypted password.

How to Decrypt Access Database Password – Best 2 Ways

Many users need to unlock Access database for editing after forgetting the password or losing complete access. So, we looked into this issue and came up with two reliable solutions that help you to decrypt Access database efficiently using simple techniques. Below are the explanations of the two solutions, including their steps, features, and drawbacks as well. Now, let’s move down for further discussion.

#1 Manual Method to Decrypt MS Access Database MDB File

The following steps are given to decode Access database MDB file password. So, you can simply do this by implementing these below-outlined instructions adequately, and it is also important to open the source database in exclusive mode before removing the password.

  1. Open the MS Access program option for file and choose Open from the toolbar menu.
  2. Click on the Browse option that allows you to add a database file to the MS Access application.
  3. Enter the right password and click the OK button.
  4. After that, select the info option and choose decrypt database option.
  5. Enter a current password to unset the database password forever and tap OK.
  6. Finally, the password will be removed, and your Access file will be decrypted.
  7. Click on the save button to download the unprotected file.

Drawbacks of Using Manual Technique

  • Password Validation Requirement: This method requires a legitimate password at least once to decrypt Access database MDB file.
  • Decryption Rate and Workflow: It is a time-consuming process since it permits the decryption of the Access database one by one, not together of all files together.
  • Applicability of Manual Technique: It is more accurate for ACCDB Access databases, but it is not suitable for MDB databases.
Note: In case you forgot the password of your MDB file and are unable to open that file. So, in this situation, you can choose a third-party tool that is more efficient. Thus, we have also mentioned an alternative solution to know how to decrypt Access database password MDB file. Let’s proceed to the upcoming segment to understand more.

#2 Advanced Method to Decrypt Access Database Password MDB file

If you are using the manual method, in that case you need an appropriate password to decode the protected Access database. But what if you forgot the password? In this problem, you can easily reset or recover the password with the help of a robust software named SysTools Access Password Recovery tool, with which you can fluidly decrypt MDB files. This tool is designed to recover lost or forgotten Access database ( MDB file) passwords. It also facilitates enriched features and functionalities.

This provides a user-friendly interface. So, both tech-savvy and beginner both can smoothly perform the decrypting MDB procedure without taking any external help. However, this tool can decode various types of passwords, like complex, numeric, and long passwords etc. Moreover, you can download this software on any Windows OS because it does not associate with any type of compatibility issues. It supports all versions of Windows OS and MS Access flawlessly.

Download Now Purchase Now

Now, let’s learn the steps to use this software:

  1. Download and run the pro tool on your system.
    download and run the pro tool
  2. Click on Add Access MDB database file using the Add Files or Folders option.
    Add MS Access database files
  3.  Choose multiple MDB files at once and click the Open button.
    Select MS Access files
  4. Choose Access database MDB files in the software panel to remove the protection.
    Access database file
  5. Click Recover to decode Access database MDB files.
    Open Access database without password
  6. The recovery process was completed successfully. Now you can open Access file without a password.
    Open MDB file without password
  7.  View the decoded password and use the copy password button to use it.
    select Copy password

Top Benefits of Using an Advanced Solution

  • This tool frequently recovers the Access database password from MDB files and makes it accessible. It can rest or recover lost and forgotten passwords quickly.
  • This software decrypt Access databases and provides- user-friendly interface. It contains certain options&commands to unlock MDB files.
  • The main feature of using this automated tool is that it supports MDB files created on MS Access and also creates a backup database file.
Note: SysTools Access Password Recovery tool does not support ACCDB files, which are used in 2007, and it supports MDB files that are created in MS Access 2003 or earlier versions.

Summing Up

In the above guide, we have discussed the two best techniques to understand how to decrypt Access database MDB files. The two solutions are manual and professional methods. But the manual solution is obtainable in case if you remember the password of the file. Otherwise, you should choose an advanced solution to learn how to decrypt Access database password. However, both techniques are described effectively, so choose the best way that suits your needs.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q1: How to decrypt Access database without a password in a batch?
A: If you need to decrypt Access databases without knowing the password, it is advised to use specialized software that is designed for the above purpose effortlessly.

Q2: Can I decrypt an MDB file after forgetting the password?
A: The answer is yes, but for this, you should not use the manual method and approach to an advanced solution, as it can easily reset and recover a forgotten password.

Q3: What Kind of passwords can Access decryption tools recover?
A: Many tools can recover alphanumeric or multilingual passwords; it depends on its complexity of the protection, but the above-listed software can decrypt passwords that are complex in an accurate manner.

  Chirag Arora

By Chirag Arora

Having around 9+ years of experience in technical writing. Knows about the core technical areas. Also, provides easy and reliable solutions to resolve difficulties faced by users while working with different platforms.