Open MDE files

  • Full name
    Microsoft Access Compiled Database (application) Format
  • Developer
    Microsoft
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a MDE file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a MDE file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your MDE file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is MDE file?

The MDE extension is used by the Microsoft Corporation's Access database program. It is used to mark files containing a "completed" version of an mdb file. These files are sometimes referred to as executable access files.

More info

In contrast to the mdb files, the user of an MDE file can not make any changes to the design of the forms or reports. If the file VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) contains scripts or other modules, these are only available in compiled form. The user of the file can not change the scripts. However, normal database actions are possible.

Newer versions of Microsoft Access use the extension accde for the type of files.

Several programs use MDE files that contain Access databases that are specific to the program.

Programs which can open a MDE file

How to open file with MDE extension?

In order to open a file with MDE extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening MDE file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with MDE files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Microsoft Access or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening MDE files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support MDE files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of MDE files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Microsoft Access as the default program for opening MDE files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate MDE files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Microsoft Access applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Microsoft Access has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with MDE files

Sometimes problems with opening MDE files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • MDE files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open MDE files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • MDE file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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