Create a new Microsoft Access workgroup information file

Create a new Microsoft Access workgroup information file

When you install Microsoft Access, the Setup program automatically creates a Microsoft Access workgroup information file that is identified by the name and organization information you specify. Because this information is often easy to determine, it's possible for unauthorized users to create another version of this workgroup information file and consequently assume the irrevocable permissions of an administrator account (a member of the Admins group) in the workgroup defined by that workgroup information file. To prevent this, create a new workgroup information file, and specify a workgroup ID (WID). Only someone who knows the WID will be able to create a copy of the workgroup information file.

  1. Exit Microsoft Access.

  2. To start the Workgroup Administrator, open the language folder, and then double-click Wrkgadm.exe. Alternatively, you can use the MS Access Workgroup Administrator shortcut in the \Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office folder.

  3. In the Workgroup Administrator dialog box, click Create.

  4. In the Workgroup Owner Information dialog box, type your name and organization, and then type any combination of up to 20 numbers and letters for the workgroup ID.

    Caution   Be sure to write down your exact name, organization, and workgroup ID — including whether letters are uppercase or lowercase (for all three entries) — and keep them in a secure place. If you have to re-create the workgroup information file, you must supply exactly the same name, organization, and workgroup ID. If you forget or lose these entries, you can't recover them and might lose access to your databases.

  5. Type a new name for the new workgroup information file, and then click OK. (By default, the workgroup information file is saved in the language folder. To save in a different location, type a new path or click Browse to specify the new path.)

The new workgroup information file is used the next time you start Microsoft Access. Any user and group accounts or passwords that you create are saved in the new workgroup information file. To have others join the workgroup defined by your new workgroup information file, copy the file to a shared folder (if you didn't already save it in a shared folder in step 4), and then have each user run the Workgroup Administrator to join the new workgroup information file.