About MDW file

[Lei]

I created a new system.mdb file when I tried to set the
user-level security in my MS Access database. Is that
mean all my other Access database that existing on my
local machine will use the same new system.mdw file when
I open the different database? For example, if I'm an
admin for one of the Access database, and read-only user
for another Access database. I'll only be granted the
permission based on whatever is set on the new system.mdw
file?
Thanks for your answer!
Lei

 

[Joan Wild]

Access uses a mdw file every session. Even if you don't implement security,
it is using the standard system.mdw that ships with Access. It silently
logs you in as a user named Admin using this workgroup file.

When you created a new mdw file, Access made it the workgroup file to use by
default. So as long as you are joined to that workgroup file, it will use
it by default. The exception to this is when you use a desktop shortcut to
start Access - you may use the /wrkgrp switch to specify a different mdw
file to use and over ride the default.

So in your case, you created a new mdw file and it's now the default for
every session. You could use the workgroup administrator to rejoin the
standard system.mdw workgroup. For your secure databases you can set up a
desktop shortcut to start them using your secure mdw. The target would look
like
"path to msaccess.exe" "path to mdb" /wrkgrp "path to mdw"

The workgroup files contain usernames, passwords and group membership
information. No permissions are stored in the file. So it just
authenticates you as a user and determines what group(s) you are a member of
for the purposes of the current Access session. The permissions that are
granted to a user or group are stored in the mdb file. So it depends on the
workgroup in use as well as the permissions in the mdb that is open as to
what you can and can't do.

 

[Lei]

Hi John,

Thanks very much for your message. Could you tell me more
detailed instruction on how to create desktop short cut
for my secured database after I use the workgroup
administrator to rejoin the standard system.mdw
workgroup. when the target will show up?

Thanks again!
Lan

 

[Joan Wild]

Locate the msaccess.exe file on your computer. Depending on version you'll
find it in something like the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office
folder. Right click the file, choose Send To, and the Desktop as shortcut.

Go to the desktop and you'll see a shortcut. Right-click it and choose
rename and give it a more meaningful name. Right-click it and choose
properties; on the dialog that opens you'll see a textbox called 'Target'
with the path to msaccess.exe. Click at the end of that and add
"path to mdb" /wrkgrp "path to mdw"