Set Up Access Trusted Folder Locations

Set up Trusted Location in Microsoft Access Database

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For data security reasons, when you start a Microsoft Access Database which was created on a computer other than your own (a foreign database), Access Database prevents macros and Visual Basic (VB) code from running until you have enabled the database by clicking the ‘ENABLE’ button which appears on the warning notice just below the Access Database ribbon. Microsoft Access Database considers macros and code in a foreign database as unsafe until you have enabled it.

If you obtained the Access Database from a trusted source, such as GI Business Database Solutions, then you can opt to place the folder in a folder that is trusted by Access Database. Note, when you install a database from us, the installer file will automatically create a trusted folder location for the folder in which the database front-end in installed.

Since Microsoft Access 2007 and later versions of Access Database provide an option to create Trusted Folder Locations. Any Access Database which is operated from a trusted folder location will be considered safe by the Microsoft Access Database program and macros or VB code will automatically be enabled.

The method of setting up Trusted Folders in Microsoft Access 2007, Access 2010 and Access 2013 is similar however there are some slight differences in accessing the options and the format of dialog boxes.

Creating Trusted Folder Locations in Access Database

Method One

We have created a small app (utility) that simplifies the process of adding a Trusted Folder location for Microsoft Access to the Windows registry for the current computer user. To use the Trust Folder creator utility, perform the following steps:

1. Click TrustFolder to download our Trust Folder creator utility.
2. Extract the file 'Trustfolder.exe' from the zip file to the folder that you want add as a trusted location (usually the folder where your Access database is located) and then double click the file. After a few moments, you will receive a message confirming the trusted folder location was added for Microsoft Access Database.

3. Use the same process to create other Access Database trusted folder locations where required. If running a database with a front-end and back-end tables, ensure that you add both the front-end and back-end folders as trusted locations.

Method Two

Using this method you create the trusted folder location manually using the Trust Centre settings options in the Microsoft Access Database File Menu. Note: this option is not available if you are using Microsoft Access Runtime Database, in which case you can use method 1.

1. Start the Microsoft Access 2007, Microsoft Access 2010 or Microsoft 2013 version that you have installed on your computer.
2. In Microsoft Access 2007 or Microsoft Access 2010, once the database starts, click the Microsoft Office Button located in the top left hand corner of Access Database program screen. Select the ‘Access Options’ button located at the bottom of the panel.Access 2007-2010 Options

3. If you are using Microsoft Access 2013 or later it will be necessary to open and existing database or create a blank database before the file menu will be accessible. Once you have done so, click the ‘File’ tab and then select ‘Options’ from the bottom of the list.Microsoft Database Access Option 2013

4. When the Access Options dialog box appears, select ‘Trust Center from the choices provided in the left hand panel, and in the right panel, click on the ‘Trust Centre Settings’ button.

5. In the Trust Center, click the ‘Trusted Locations’ option. To display a list of folder which are already trusted by your Access Database program. Do not remove the default locations for your Access Database install location. If you want to run your Access Database from a network location, you will need to tick the’ Allow trusted locations on my network (not recommended)’ option. After doing so, click the ‘Add New Location’ button
6. If your Access database has been split into a front-end and back-end configuration, with the database front-end installed locally on your computer, and the Access Database tables file stored on a server or shared folder, then you will need to add a Trusted Locations entry for both the local folder and the network folder share where the tables are stored.
7. Click the ‘Add New Location’ button. When you check the option ‘Subfolders of this location are also trusted’ you allow Access to also trust any databases which may be located in a sub-folder under the folder that you elect to trust. This is handy where you have different Access databases located under the one master folder and you want to trust all of them without adding each folder individually.

8. Now click the Windows browser button and use the browsers to navigate to the folder that you want to trust and highlight it. With the folder highlighted click the ‘OK’ button.

9. Once you return to the ‘Microsoft Office Trusted Locations’ dialog box, if you have you have any Access Database components in sub-folder that you also want trusted, you must tick the ‘Subfolders of this location are also trusted’ (if applicable) option. Then click the ‘OK’ button
10. In the Description box, you have the option to the purpose of the trusted location if you wish, but it is not mandatory.

11. Click ‘OK’ and then continue to click through the ‘OK’ and ‘Apply’ options to close any open windows or Microsoft Access dialog boxes
12. If you received an error message whilst attempting to add a trusted location to a network folder this usually indicates that you have forgotten to tick the ‘Subfolders of this location are also trusted’ tick box. See step 7.

If you would like a copy 'Setting up Trusted Location in Microsoft Access Database’ please click Download PDF.

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