There is two issues you are dealing with.
The first issue is keeping people out, and handing the ms-access interface.
The 2nd issue is that of converting the appcation into a program. I hate to
bust you bubble, but IT IS ALREADY a program you created.
what you do as a general rule is convert you mdb to a mde (however, you in
MOST cases need to clearly understand the concept of splitting a database).
You can read about this concept of splitting here:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Articles/split/index.htm
so, as a general rule, you convert your mdb to a mde (the "e" standard for
executable). All versions of ms-access can create this "e" version of your
application. (well, of course the runtime can't do this).
However, for the person to run this mde, they either have to have ms-access
installed, or what is called the ms-access runtime ( this a version of
ms-access without the design tools, and is for "run only" use. This runtime
can be distributed free of charge to your clients (you have to purchase the
developer edition of ms-access).
However, the developer edition changes nothing, and you still use regular
ms-access to create your appcation.
So, that means we have to go back to the first issue (to hide the ms-access
stuff, and you can do this without the developers edition).
You most certainly can, and should hide all of the ms-access interface. The
options to complete hide and keep people out of the ms-access interface can
easily be done using the tools->start-up options. Using those options allows
you to complete hide the ms-access interface (tool bars, database window
etc). Also, using these options means you
do not have to bother setting up security.
Try downloading and running the 3rd example at my following web site that
shows a hidden ms-access interface, and NO CODE is required to do
this....but just some settings in the start-up.
Check out:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/DownLoad.htm
After you try the application, you can exit, and then re-load the
application, but hold down the shift key to by-pass the start-up options. If
want, you can even disable the shift key by pass. I have a sample mdb file
that will let you "set" the shift key bypass on any application you want.
You can get this at:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/msaccess.html