Restore a damaged or deleted Microsoft Access workgroup information file

In rare circumstances, the Microsoft Access workgroup information file can become damaged. If you start Microsoft Access and that file can't be opened, a message will be displayed. How you solve this problem depends on whether you have a backup copy and how your workgroup information file was originally created or specified. The following table summarizes how you should address each situation.

Used Workgroup Administrator	Made backup copy	Solution
No. Used default file created when installing Microsoft Access.	No	Re-start Microsoft Access and Windows installer will re-create a default workgroup information file.
No. Used default file created when installing Microsoft Access.	Yes	Use Windows Explorer, My Computer, MS-DOS copy command, or backup software to copy the most recent copy of the file to the folder where you installed Microsoft Access.
Yes. Created a new file.	No	Run the Workgroup Administrator again, typing the same case-sensitive name, organization, and workgroup ID entries you used when you originally created it. For more information on creating a workgroup information file, click .
Yes. Created a new file.	Yes	Copy or restore the backup copy to the path where you originally saved your workgroup information file.
Yes. Joined (specified) a file on a path other than the folder where Microsoft Access is installed.	Yes	Copy or restore the backup copy to the original path.
Yes. Joined (specified) a file on a path other than the folder where Microsoft Access is installed.	No	Create a new copy by using the method that was used to create the original file: re-start Microsoft Access so that installer will re-create a default workgroup information file, or use Workgroup Administrator and type the same case-sensitive name, organization, and workgroup ID entries used when it was originally created.

Important   Microsoft Access stores security account information in the workgroup information file. So in all cases where you don't have a backup copy and have to re-create a workgroup information file, if you've restricted permissions to your databases, you must re-create security accounts with the same case-sensitive names and personal ID (PID) entries as before. For more information on rebuilding a workgroup information file using user and group names and IDs, click .

You don't have to redefine permissions or object ownership because this information is stored in the secure databases.