Unsecured workgroup database

[ConfusedMay]

Hi,

Is there a way for me to take off workgroup on access database? I have access 2003 that was created using workgroup and the person creating the database didn't leave me any admin password when he left the company. Now I have to make changes to the database and can't do it since I don't have permission. How can I make changes to the database or if I can add myself as admin to the database? (The database only have 1 admin user and I don't know the password, and the rest are regular users)
Thank you

[PianoMan64]

I'm assuming for the moment that MS Access is configured to load the Special Workgroup File that was setup by the original Admin.

If switch back to the default workgroup file that comes with MS Access which should be located in the following path c:\Documents and Settings\<%User Name%>\Applicat ion Data\Microsoft\ Access\System.M DW

1. What you'll need to do is launch MS Access
2. If it prompts you to login, then do so.
3. Click on Tools -> Security -> Workgroup Administrator
4. Click Join Button
5. Click Browse Button
6. Goto c:\Documents and Settings\YourUs erName\Applicat ion Data\Microsoft\ Access\
7. Locate the System.MDW file and select OK
8. Click Ok again.
9. Click ok Finally.
10. Restart MS Access
You should NOT be prompted to log in any more.
Now to create a new Workgroup file, you would have to have a list of all the users for the workgroup you're going to create.

1. Click on Tools -> Security -> Workgroup Administrator -> Create
2. It will then ask you for your name Oragization and WorkgroupID that you want to assign to the workgroup file. THIS IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP VERY SAFE AND CLOSE TO YOU. DON'T LET ANYONE THAT DOESN"T NEED TO HAVE IT HAVE IT.
3. Then click ok
4. Then it's going to ask you what you want to name the file. Select a location where everyone has access to the file Read/Write/Create permissions on the folder.
5. It will then confirm the information with you. Just click ok if it's correct or change if there is something entered incorrectly.
6.It will then show you where you saved the file, and just click ok to continue.
7.Access will then restart on it's own.
8. To create the users click Tools -> Security -> User - Level Security Wizard
9. Enter all the Users and what groups they need to be in. If you're not sure what to set them as, just simply set them to "USER".
10. Let the wizard run once you have all the information in, and that should set you up to create the new MDB File with Security information that you need.
11. One other thing that you need to do is to set the Admin Password.
12. Click Tools -> Security -> User Groups and Accounts
13. Make sure you have the Admin user account selected.
14. Click on Change Password tab at top of dialog box
15. Old Password is going to be blank (Just tab through it)
16. Enter New Password
17. Confirm Password
18. Click Apply and OK.
19. Restart Access
20. Login as yourself and NOT admin
21. Once it's open, Import all Tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, Macros, Modules into your new MDB file from the OLD MDB file
22. Now that you've done that, this give you Ownership rights to all Tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, Macros and Modules. Now you shouldn't have any more problems modifying anything

If you need more help with any of the steps, please email here on the site.

Thanks, Hope that helps,

Joe P.