Learn How to Lock Access Database from Editing
Nowadays various users are looking for a solution to lock MS Access database (ACCDB) files to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. Business professionals store crucial and confidential information in the Microsoft Access databases. Hence, the process to encrypt Access database with a password becomes mandatory because it protects databases from viewing, editing, or manipulating it.
This blog post explains the step-by-step process to set password for Access database. Hence, let’s continue reading the article and learn the procedure to lock down Access database files.
Steps to Lock MS Access Database (ACCDB) Files
- Start MS Access 2021, 2019, and 2016, and choose Open.
- Select the Browse button from Microsoft Access.
- Choose the ACCDB file to set Access database password.
- Select the Open Exclusive option from the dropdown.
- Now you can view Access database, hit the File button.
- After that, choose the Info option as shown in the below figure.
- Select the Encrypt with Password option to encrypt Access database.
- Enter the MS Access database password and verify it.
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Critical Database Alert: Row-Level Locking Set to Be Ignored!
When you set Access database password, then after completing the last step. MS Access shows a popup message i.e., “Encrypting with a block cipher is incomplete with row-level locking. Row-level locking will be ignored“. If you aren’t aware of this popup message, then below are the main points.
- Encrypting with a Block Cipher: This indicates that data within the database (ACCDB) is being encrypted using a specific cryptographic method that is known as block cipher. Block ciphers encrypt data in fixed-size blocks (e.g., 128 bits) using a secret encryption key.
- Incomplete with Row-Level Locking: This part of the popup message means that there’s a limitation when trying to implement row-level locking in conjunction with block cipher encryption. Row-level locking is a database feature that allows different transactions or users to lock individual rows of data independently.
- Row-Level Locking Will Be Ignored: This implies that due to the encryption process row-level locking is not being applied as expected to ensure the reliable and secure management of data within the MS Access database.
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Check MS Access Database Is Locked or Not
After completing the above-mentioned steps your Access database files will be protected. If you want to check the password protection status of ACCDB files, then follow the below instructions.
- Go to the store location of MS Access ACCDB files.
- Double-click on the Access database file to open.
- See Access database file is asking for a password.
- Lastly, enter the MS Access database file password to open it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Que 1: How to lock Access database from editing?
Ans: Quick steps to protect Access database with password:
- Firstly, open MS Access ACCDB file Exclusive mode.
- After that, choose File >> Info option.
- Select the Encrypt with Password option.
- Set password for Access database and OK.
- MS Access database is locked from editing.
Que 2: Can I encrypt MDB file in MS Access 2021 edition?
Ans: No, MS Access 2021 does not provide built-in database-level encryption for MDB files.
Que 3: Is it possible to access the MS Access database, if forgot the password?
Ans: No, this is mandatory to have a valid password to access the database. However, you can use SysTools software to open Access database without password.