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Microsoft Access is not available as a browser app in Microsoft 365. To use it, you need a Windows PC and a Microsoft 365 plan that includes the full desktop Office applications. Access is included with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Apps for business, Business Standard, and Business Premium—but not Business Basic.
Once the desktop apps are installed, open Access from the Windows Start menu. You do not download Access separately from the Microsoft 365 installation page.
Check whether your Microsoft 365 plan includes Access
Access is installed as part of the Microsoft 365 desktop application suite. It is not included in Microsoft’s free browser-based Word, Excel, and PowerPoint offering.
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| Subscription | Includes the desktop version of Access? |
|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Personal | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 Family | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 Apps for business | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | No |
| Free Microsoft 365 web apps | No |
Business Basic can provide access to browser versions of some Office apps, but it does not include the fully installed Windows desktop applications. If your organization uses Business Basic, an administrator must change your plan or assign you an additional license that includes desktop apps.
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Install Access with Microsoft 365 on Windows
Use this method if you already have a qualifying subscription or have redeemed an Office product key.
- Open https://m365.cloud.microsoft/apps.
- Select Sign in and log in with the Microsoft account, work account, or school account connected to your license.
- Select the Install apps drop-down.
- For a personal account, select Microsoft 365 Apps, choose Install apps, and then select Install.
- For a work or school account, select Install apps on the Microsoft 365 home page. You can also choose Apps in the left navigation pane, select Install apps, and then choose Microsoft 365 apps.
- Respond to the browser download prompt. Choose Run in Microsoft Edge, Setup in Chrome, or Save File in Firefox.
- If Windows asks, “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?”, select Yes.
- Wait for the installation to finish. When you see “You’re all set! Office is installed now”, select Close.
The installer installs the complete Microsoft 365 desktop suite. In the current installer, there is normally no standard option to install Access while excluding individual Windows applications such as Word or Excel.
Open Microsoft Access after installation
- Select the Windows Start button.
- Type Access.
- Select the Microsoft Access application from the search results.
- Accept the license agreement if prompted.
- Sign in if Microsoft 365 requests activation.
Access should then open to its start screen, where you can create a blank database, use a desktop template, or open an existing database.
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The full desktop application opens standard Access database files, including .accdb and older .mdb files.
- Start Microsoft Access.
- Select Open on the start screen.
- Choose Browse.
- Navigate to the folder containing the database.
- Select the
.accdbor.mdbfile and choose Open.
You can also double-click an Access database in File Explorer if Windows has associated the file type with Access.
When creating a new local database, choose a template with desktop in its name, such as Blank desktop database or Desktop contacts. Templates showing a globe icon belong to the obsolete Access web-app workflow and are not ordinary local databases.
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Redeem a product key before installing Access
If your Microsoft 365 subscription or Office purchase came with a product key, redeem it before trying to install the applications.
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- Sign in with a Microsoft account, or create one.
- Enter the product key.
- Complete the redemption and license-linking process.
- Return to https://m365.cloud.microsoft/apps.
- Sign in with the same account used to redeem the key.
- Install Microsoft 365 Apps.
The product key becomes linked to the account during redemption. Reusing the key to create a separate account is not the normal reinstall process. For future installations, use the account to which the license was linked.
Work or school accounts: why the install option may be missing
A business subscription by itself does not guarantee that every employee can install Access. The administrator must assign you a qualifying license and allow you to install Microsoft 365 applications.
If Install apps is missing:
- Open the Microsoft 365 Software page directly.
- Choose your language.
- Choose the appropriate PC bit version.
- Select Install.
If the installation option is still unavailable, ask your Microsoft 365 administrator to check your assigned license and installation permissions. A work or school sign-in blocked by your organization’s security policy also requires administrator assistance.
Choose 32-bit or 64-bit Access
Microsoft normally installs the 64-bit version. However, it detects an existing 32-bit Office installation or a 32-bit standalone application such as Project or Visio and installs the 32-bit version instead.
Do not mix 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft 365 applications. To change versions:
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- Uninstall Microsoft 365, including compatible standalone applications such as Project or Visio.
- Restart Windows if requested.
- Return to https://m365.cloud.microsoft/apps.
- Select Install apps.
- Choose the language and desired bit version.
- Select Install.
Consider compatibility before switching. Older Access databases, add-ins, drivers, and VBA components may depend on a particular bit version.
What to do if your plan does not include full Access
Upgrade or change the Microsoft 365 plan
If you have Business Basic or only the free web apps, obtain a subscription that includes the Windows desktop applications. After the license changes, sign out and back in at the Microsoft 365 installation page, then install the suite.
Use Access Runtime for an existing database application
Microsoft 365 Access Runtime is a free option for running an existing Access application on a computer without the full Access program. It is intended for deployment, not database development.
Runtime does not provide the normal design environment for creating or modifying tables, queries, forms, reports, or VBA projects. Use the full version of Access if you need to build or edit a database.
Microsoft provides Runtime in 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions. Select the language and bit version on Microsoft’s download page, then choose Run in Edge, Setup in Chrome, or Save File in Firefox. Approve the User Account Control prompt with Yes if it appears.
Runtime must match the Office installation in some situations. For example, an Office 2021 Click-to-Run installation causes the corresponding Access 2021 Runtime to be installed. Microsoft 365 Access Runtime is not compatible with Office products installed using Windows Installer (MSI). Mixing Click-to-Run and MSI Office installations is unsupported.
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Access web apps are not the browser version of desktop Access
A commonly repeated instruction says that Microsoft 365 includes Access web apps hosted in SharePoint Online. That is outdated. Microsoft says Access web apps do not work with Microsoft 365 and require an on-premises SharePoint deployment with Access Services enabled.
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Microsoft also recommends not creating new Access web apps and suggests moving existing applications to an alternative such as Microsoft Power Apps. A local .accdb database and an Access web app are separate products and workflows.
Fix common Access installation problems
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| The installation is slow or stalls | Check the internet connection, firewall, and antivirus software. Use Microsoft’s offline installer if connection problems continue. |
| Office installation fails because of an old installation | Run the Office uninstall troubleshooter, restart Windows, and reinstall Microsoft 365. The current troubleshooter requires Windows 10 or later and cannot currently uninstall Office 2024. |
| You are installing on a Chromebook | The Windows desktop version of Microsoft 365 cannot be installed on a Chromebook. Use a supported Windows PC for full Access. |
| You selected the wrong installer | The Windows version cannot be installed on a Mac, and the Mac version cannot be installed on Windows. |
| You cannot start the installer | A local administrator account is required to install Office on Windows. |
| Runtime will not install | Check for conflicting MSI or Click-to-Run Office installations and match the Runtime bit version to the Office environment. |
Start Access in Runtime mode
If you need to test how an existing database behaves for end users, you can launch it with the /runtime switch:
"C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeMSACCESS.EXE" "C:MyDB.accdb" /runtimeRenaming an .accdb file to .accdr also opens it in Runtime mode. This is not a security boundary: someone can potentially open the database normally on a computer that has the full version of Access installed.
FAQ
Is Microsoft Access included in Office 365?
It is included with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Apps for business, Business Standard, and Business Premium. It is not included with Business Basic or Microsoft’s free browser-only apps.
Can I use Microsoft Access online?
The full Access desktop application is a Windows program, not a Microsoft 365 browser app. Existing Access web apps require an on-premises SharePoint deployment with Access Services and are not the normal way to use a local .accdb database.
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- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
Why cannot I find Access after installing Microsoft 365?
You may have a plan without desktop applications, be signed in with the wrong Microsoft account, or have an administrator-assigned license that does not include Access. Confirm the subscription and reinstall the Microsoft 365 desktop apps from m365.cloud.microsoft/apps.
Can I install only Access instead of the entire Microsoft 365 suite?
The normal Microsoft 365 installer installs the desktop suite and does not provide a standard per-application selection for excluding individual Windows apps. Access is installed as part of that suite.
Can Access Runtime create databases?
No. Runtime is designed to run a finished Access application. It removes or disables design-related features, so use full Access to create tables, queries, forms, reports, or VBA projects.
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Does Access work on a Chromebook?
The Windows desktop version of Access cannot be installed on a Chromebook. You need a supported Windows PC for the full application.
The Bottom Line
To access Microsoft Access in Office 365, use a Windows PC, sign in with a qualifying Microsoft 365 account at m365.cloud.microsoft/apps, and install the full Microsoft 365 desktop apps. Then open Access from Start. If you have Business Basic, a free web-app account, or a Chromebook, you will need a different plan or device; Access Runtime is suitable only for running an existing database application.
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