For Both 64-bit [top]: Download Microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 Provider

The Access 365 Runtime is available as a free download in either 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) versions and includes the Access Database Engine (ADE), which provides OLE DB and ODBC interfaces for transferring data between Office files and other applications.

Download 2016 Redistributable . Microsoft 365 Runtime: Download M365 Access Runtime . Key Troubleshooting Tips Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable

Install whichever architecture matches your current Microsoft Office installation first. For example, if you have 64-bit Office installed, install the 64-bit engine first.

| Error Message | Likely Cause | Solution | |---------------|--------------|----------| | "Provider not registered" | Bitness mismatch or not installed | Install correct bit version. | | "Cannot update. A newer version is already installed" | Office 365 or newer ACE engine present | Uninstall newer engine first or use /passive . | | "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 is not recognized" | Missing redistributable | Download and install from official link. | | "External table is not in the expected format" | File corruption or Excel version mismatch | Save file as .xlsx or repair file. | | " cannot start your application. The workgroup information file is missing" | Access security issue | Ensure .mdw file path is correct in connection string. |

: Download Microsoft Access Database Engine (32-bit) — Choose AccessDatabaseEngine.exe . download microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 provider for both 64-bit

: Recommended as a modern replacement for the 2016 engine. Download it from the Microsoft Support Page . How to Install Both 32-bit and 64-bit Providers

To download the provider for both 64-bit and 32-bit environments, you must install the Microsoft Access Database Engine Redistributable . Official Download Links

There is that installs both 32-bit and 64-bit drivers simultaneously on the same machine. "Both" refers to having the ability to download the correct installer for your specific architecture. To truly support both, you can run two installers using a passive approach (explained in Chapter 6).

: Ensure your application (e.g., Visual Studio, Excel, Power BI) is set to run in 64-bit mode The Access 365 Runtime is available as a

Show you the to connect to Excel using this provider. Help you configure SSIS to use the 64-bit driver.

Note: This may still fail if 64-bit Office is present. Some systems require the 32-bit version to be installed first.

Ensure your connection string specifies the correct provider: Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=C:\path\to\file.xlsx;Extended Properties="Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES";

Run the following command: AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe /passive Verifying the Installation | | "Cannot update

"The 'Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0' provider is not registered on the local machine"

Your application’s architecture does not match the installed provider. Fix:

To download the Microsoft ACE OLE DB 12.0 provider for 64-bit systems:

To resolve cross-architecture errors, you must obtain both versions of the driver installer from Microsoft.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Common\FilesPaths

Standard installation of one version will often block the other if it detects a bitness mismatch with installed Office products. Follow these steps to force a dual installation: