Tips to open MDB file

Can't open the MDB file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open MDB files as well as a list of programs that support MDB files.

MDB file extension

File Name Microsoft Access Database
File Developer Microsoft
File Category Database Files

The MDB file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the MDB files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the MDB file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 8
  • 1
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is MDB file?

The .MDB file is a database. It is a Microsoft Access database. The format is quite popular even for wider applications. It is a file database with a sharing mechanism, which means that several users can work simultaneously. A .LDB file is also assigned to the database, in which information about blockades imposed by users during work is saved. This file is usually hidden and only occurs when someone is using the database in edit mode.

How to open MDB file?

The most common problem when using Microsoft Access Database is that a specific MDB is not associated with the program. This is manifested by the fact that MDB files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the MDB file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install MDB Viewer

The first step is to check if the computer has the MDB Viewer program installed. To do this, enter the name MDB Viewer into the system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open MDB files.

Programs to open MDB file

Remember to download programs supporting MDB files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.

Step 2. Create association of MDB Viewer with MDB files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the MDB file to open in the MDB Viewer application, but you can set it manually. It is most convenient to call the context menu with the right mouse button and select Properties. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the MDB Viewer application as the default for handling the MDB file.

Step 3. Update MDB Viewer to the latest version

If, despite the association of the MDB Viewer program with the Microsoft Access Database file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the MDB file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. The most common file problems are:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This suggests truncating the MDB file contents when downloading or copying. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our MDB file. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover MDB files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the MDB file. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
There can be many reasons for this. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged MDB files.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file MDB except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. It is best to move MDB to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Just close unnecessary programs. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the MDB file again. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If the problem persists, restart the machine.