Office Compatibility Issues

Fix Access Files Opening in Office 2010 Instead of Microsoft 365

Huda Qurayshi Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent Access database files and shortcuts from launching in Microsoft Office 2010 when Microsoft 365 is installed on the same computer.

How to Fix Access Files Opening in Office 2010 Instead of Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening an Access database shortcut or an .accdb/.accde file on a computer with multiple versions of Microsoft Office installed.
Observed behavior: The shortcut opens Microsoft Office 2010 or triggers an Office 2010 reinstall/configuration process, rather than opening directly in Microsoft 365 Access.

Before you start

Verify if you still need Microsoft Office 2010 installed on your system. Also, locate your Microsoft 365 MSACCESS.EXE file path, which is typically found in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ folder on your local drive.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Windows Default App Settings

Change the default file association for Access database files so Windows knows to use Microsoft 365 by default.

When multiple versions of Office are installed, Windows may associate database extensions with the older version. Updating the default apps ensures that .accdb and .accde files are always routed to Microsoft 365.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start button, select the gear icon to open Settings, and navigate to the Apps category.

Navigate to Default Apps

Click on 'Default apps' in the left sidebar, then scroll down and select 'Choose defaults by file type'.

Reassign File Extensions

Scroll down the list to find the .accdb and .accde file extensions. Click on the current default application (Office 2010) and change it to the Microsoft 365 version of Access.

Manual Executable Selection: If Microsoft 365 Access does not appear in the default list, you may need to choose 'Look for another app on this PC' and browse to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\MSACCESS.EXE.

Solution 2

Modify the Shortcut Target Path

Edit the specific shortcut properties to force the database to open with the Microsoft 365 executable.

Solution 3

Uninstall Microsoft Office 2010

Remove the legacy version of Office entirely if it is no longer required for your workflow.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office 2010 attempt to reinstall or configure when I open an Access file?

When two versions of Microsoft Office are installed on the same computer, they often compete for default registry entries. If Office 2010 detects it is not the default application, it triggers an automatic repair or configuration wizard upon launch to reclaim those registry keys.

How do I force a file to open in Microsoft 365 Access just once?

You can right-click the specific database file (.accdb or .accde), select 'Open with' from the context menu, and then choose the Microsoft 365 version of Access from the available application list.

Where is the Microsoft 365 Access executable typically located?

For most standard 64-bit installations of Microsoft 365 on Windows, the Access executable (MSACCESS.EXE) is located in the directory: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\.

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