Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=C:\MyFolder\MyDatabase.accdb;Persist Security Info=False;
By default, Microsoft prevents side-by-side installation of different bitness versions of the ACE provider. To bypass this, use the passive or quiet command-line switch.
| Your Application Bitness | Required Provider | Download File |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 32-bit (x86) | 32-bit ACE 12.0 | AccessDatabaseEngine.exe |
| 64-bit (x64) | 64-bit ACE 12.0 | AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe |
| Any (using 'Any CPU') | Match OS bitness | Choose based on OS |
Final advice: If you have Office installed, match the ACE provider bitness to Office, not your OS. If no Office, match it to your application.
To download the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 provider for a 64-bit environment, you need the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable . While newer versions like the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016
are available and often downward compatible, the "12.0" version specifically refers to the 2010 release. Download Links Access Database Engine 2010 (Direct Driver): Download from the Official Microsoft Download Center AccessDatabaseEngine_x64.exe for the 64-bit provider. Access Database Engine 2016 (Updated Alternative): Download from This version provides the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0 provider, which can often be used in place of 12.0. SS&C Blue Prism Community Installing Both 32-bit and 64-bit Providers
By default, Microsoft prevents installing the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the Access Database Engine on the same machine. To bypass this restriction and install both: AccessDatabaseEngine.exe (32-bit) and AccessDatabaseEngine_x64.exe (64-bit) files. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator. Run with Passive Switch download microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 provider for both 64-bit
: Navigate to your download folder and run the installer using the
C:\Users\Name\Downloads\AccessDatabaseEngine_x64.exe /passive for the 32-bit version if needed. Registry Fix (If needed)
: If you encounter errors after installing both, you may need to delete the registry value located at
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Common\FilesPaths to prevent version conflicts. SQLServerCentral Verification To confirm the 64-bit provider is correctly registered: : Create a new text file, rename its extension to , and double-click it. Under the
tab, look for "Microsoft Office 12.0 Access Database Engine OLE DB Provider". Application Bit-ness Provider=Microsoft
: Ensure your application (e.g., Visual Studio, Excel, Power BI) is set to run in 64-bit mode
(x64), as a 64-bit application cannot use a 32-bit provider. Microsoft Learn connection string
example for your application to ensure it targets the 12.0 provider correctly? Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable
To get the provider for 64-bit systems, you need the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable.
Direct Download Link: Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable supporting legacy and modern apps)
The Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable (which includes the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 provider) is essential for connecting to Excel files, Access databases, and other text-based data sources outside of the traditional Microsoft Office ecosystem.
Critical Note: By default, this installer detects your operating system’s architecture and installs the matching provider. However, if you need to support both 32-bit and 64-bit applications on the same machine (e.g., 64-bit SQL Server SSIS using a 32-bit Excel driver), you must use the silent install method.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
AccessDatabaseEngine.exe /quiet
or
AccessDatabaseEngine.exe /passive
Why this works: The /quiet switch suppresses the conflicting architecture check. After completion, both Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 (32-bit) and Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 (64-bit) will be registered and usable.
If you absolutely need both providers on the same machine (e.g., supporting legacy and modern apps), use the /passive switch: