Tips to open MDE file

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

MDE file extension

File Name Compiled Access Add-in Format
File Developer Microsoft
File Category Plugin Files

The MDE file is supported on 1 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the MDE files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the MDE file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is MDE file?

The file in the MDE format belongs to the Plugin Files category. The author of this format is Microsoft. Additionally, the Plugin Files category contains 179 of other files. Compiled Access Add-in Format appears on 1 operating systems as a functional file. These systems consist of Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. The main program that supports this format is Microsoft Access. This was created by Microsoft Corporation. Alternatively, you can use 3 other programs. You can use Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Office 365 in case Microsoft Access cannot be used.

How to open MDE file?

The most common problem when using Compiled Access Add-in Format is that a specific MDE is not associated with the program. Thus, when you open MDE, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the MDE 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 Microsoft Access

In this case, you should first verify that the Microsoft Access application is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name Microsoft Access in it. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file MDE with Microsoft Access. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open MDE files.

Step 2. Create association of Microsoft Access with MDE files

If, despite the installed application, the MDE file does not start in the Microsoft Access application, you must create a file association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the Microsoft Access application as the default for handling the MDE file.

Step 3. Update Microsoft Access to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Microsoft Access program with the Compiled Access Add-in Format file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. This can be done using the application (if it provides such options) or from the Microsoft Corporation website and install the latest version.

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

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This suggests truncating the MDE file contents when downloading or copying. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. However, it is important to scan the entire system, not only the file MDE or the program directory. However, remember that not every infected MDE file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the MDE files changes over time. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
There can be many reasons for the failure. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular MDE file corruption. The easiest way is to restore the file from a backup, if there is one, or contact Microsoft
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted MDE files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
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 MDE to a different directory.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the MDE 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.