Access User Security Portability

[jdclark59]

I created an Access database (Access 2003) and set up user accounts and permissions. When I copy that database to another computer (also Access 2003) the users and groups are not carried forward. Is there a method of copying that I missed to insure the users and groups are maintained?

Thanks for your help.

Jack

 

[MoLaker]

Some things must happen in order to have the security work the way you are expecting.

1. User level security must be set up correctly. Based on your description of what happens, this is not the case. Search the forums for User-level security. Chances are, you have not removed the user ADMIN from the ADMINS group or have not removed the appropriate permissions from the USERS group.

2. The default workgroup file is system.mdw. Your secure database should NOT use system.mdw. You should have created a new workgroup file by another name (typically the same as your database) so you know what database it is to be associated with.

3. The new workgroup file must be visible to other computers - either on a network or distributed along with the database.

4. The "other computer" must join the same workgroup (MDW) as was used to create the security settings, either through a command-line switch or through the Workgroup manager.

In general, the idea is the workgroup file identifies the user (& password) and security information in the database defines that user's permissions. The user ADMIN exists in all workgroup files and cannot be deleted. So, if you did not remove ADMIN from the ADMINS group or did not remove permissions from the USERS group, the user ADMIN in the default system.mdw workgroup will still have access without even logging in, because that user is logged in automatically if no password has been assigned - as in system.mdw.