How to Fix Access Runtime Trusted Location Prompts on a Network
Question details
The user is encountering persistent security warning prompts when opening a Microsoft Access database from a network location using 64-bit Access Runtime, despite having configured the registry for trusted locations.
- Product
- Microsoft Access Runtime
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening a network-hosted database via a mapped drive.
- Observed behavior
- A security prompt continues to display because the application fails to recognize the mapped drive path as a trusted location.
Ensure you know the exact UNC (Universal Naming Convention) path of your network share (e.g., \\ServerName\ShareName) and have administrative privileges to modify Windows Registry settings if needed.
Use a UNC Path Instead of a Mapped Drive
Access Runtime often fails to recognize mapped drive letters as trusted locations. Replacing the mapped drive path with its equivalent UNC path resolves the path mismatch.
When you map a network drive (such as Z:), Windows translates it for your user session, but Microsoft Access Runtime may evaluate the underlying server path for security trusts. Using the direct server path ensures the trusted location registry settings perfectly match the path used to open the database.
Open Command Prompt and type 'net use'. Locate your mapped drive letter in the list and note the corresponding remote name (which starts with two backslashes, like \\ServerName\ShareName).
Ensure that the trusted location path configured in your registry exactly matches the UNC path you just identified, rather than the mapped drive letter.
Change the shortcut or application configuration used to launch the database so that it points directly to the UNC path (e.g., \\ServerName\ShareName\Database.accdb).
Enable Network Locations in the Registry
Make sure that Access Runtime is explicitly permitted to trust locations on a network.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UNC path?
A Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path is a standard format used in Windows to specify the location of resources on a local area network. It typically starts with two backslashes followed by the server name and the shared folder name (e.g., \\ServerName\SharedFolder).
Why does Access Runtime ignore trusted locations on mapped drives?
Access Runtime often evaluates file security based on the underlying network UNC path rather than the mapped drive letter assigned by the user session. If only the mapped drive letter is trusted in the registry, Access sees a path mismatch and displays a security prompt.
How do I find the UNC path of a mapped network drive?
You can find the UNC path by opening the Windows Command Prompt and typing 'net use'. Press Enter, and it will display a list of all your mapped drives alongside their corresponding remote UNC paths.
