Running a 32 bit database on a 64 bit machine

[James Bowyer]

I have a database I originally created on a 32 bit machine, which needs the front end updating, but my computer is 64 bit, and so therefore none of the code runs. However, I don't want to convert the database to 64 bit if I can help it, as all the machines it will be running on are 32 bit, I just need to edit it. All are running Access 2010, and windows 7.

Is there any way of editing it on my computer? Or will converting it to a 64 bit database still allow it to work on the 32 bit machines?

[zmbd]

Once you convert to 64bit the file will not be usable on the 32bit PC.
You need to check which version of MS Access you are using, and which "bit" version.

At Work: Windows 7 - 64bit - Enterprise with 32bit version of MS Access/Office-2010. The files I create and run here on the work PC, run just fine on my home PC running under WindowsXP-MCE-SP3 using MS Access/Office-2010-32bit.

[TheSmileyCoder]

First note that 64 bit machines can (and quite often do) run 32 bit Office. In fact I believe it is the recommended practice to install 32 bit office. It is actually the default.

With that said, you can edit a 32 bit version of an access db if your office installation is 32 bit. It does not matter if your windows installation is 64 bit. If you use API calls it gets slightly more complicated as some of these API calls will have to be fixed to use the 64 bit equivalents of the API.

Hope that helps.

[zmbd]

A few things to consider: Choose the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Office

A slightly different set of information (but close):
Learn about the 32-bit versus 64-bit version in the new version of Office

Compatibility Between the 32-bit and 64-bit Versions of Office 2010

[James Bowyer]

Access 64 bit is already installed on my PC, Could I install a 32 bit version on my machine?

[TheSmileyCoder]

From what I have read elsewhere, Office as a package can only be installed as either 32 or 64 bit.

I don't have much experience with virtual machines, but maybe that could be an avenue to persue, since you presumably already have the windows and office license.

[James Bowyer]

I'll try and look into the virtual machine idea. Its bizzare, I've created databases on my 64 bit machine which work fine on other computers, which I'd always assumed to be 32 bit, and I've never had an issue until now with a 64 bit or 32 bit machine (in fact, I'm pretty sure the machine that I originally created it on was 64 bit, although the install of Access must have been 32).

Why can't everything just work?!

[zmbd]

Please read the links I gave you in post #4
Here is also one means
HOWEVER
The exact method for installing Office to a VM will depend entirely upon what software you are using...
I'd also recomend that you have like, really, monster level equipment or Office will run like a slug on a hot sidewalk:
Virtualizing Microsoft Office 2010

and a trade mag/e-zine: How can you run Office 2010 32-bit and 64-bit on the one machine?

[James Bowyer]

Fortunately I've just discovered my spare machine, despite being 64 bit, has a 32 bit access install. Which is helpful.

[neelsfer]

This gave me nightmares, but its working fine now. I luckily also have a spare 64bit windows OS system pc. I take the Access accdb file created on the 32 bit, and then "compile" the accdb file on the Windows 64 bit pc with Access to Accde. It works great. Also check in the Regional settings that the date/time shown as HHMMSS, is changed to lower casings hhmmss, as this seems to create a problem coming from 32bit or Access 2007 to Access 2010. This fixed my dates on the 64bit system in the application, when i "compile" it.

[zmbd]

Yes, you can usually take 32bit projects to a 64bit and recompile; however, as I said earlier and also within the links I posted, once the project is taken the 64bit version, it will not run on a 32bit install.

[praxis1949]

Brief experience: moving from 32 (Access 2007) to 64 Access 2016 NOT seamless. We experimented, and eventually took user group advice to stay at 32 bit 2016 . If Microsoft wanted us to upgrade to 64 bit Office 2016 they would have had 64 bit as the default on installation!

[TheSmileyCoder]

64 bit is going to be the recommendation going forward, and probably will also be the default choice soon.

[NeoPa]

That doesn't necessarily mean any migration will be straightforward though. Not even that it will always be possible.