Access 97 in Win 7 64 bit

Thanks, MBERG, but the problem is I cannot even install my Office97 software. I only obtain the message 'This file version is not compatible with Windows running version....contact provider'


(sorry, i'm translating the message from the windows 7 spanish version)

Hi Mberg,

I tried your method, but after I chose the c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office, I got the message:

"This operating system does not meet the minimum requirements to run Office 97. Please check the minimum requirements section of the README.TXT or README.HLP on this CD for further details."

I am trying to install Access 97 SR2 which I have a standalone CD (separate from the rest of MS Office).

I did get Access 97 to install in compatibility mode, but I'd love to be able to use it without compatibility mode, if that's possible.

Any further ideas? Thanks!

MBERG said:

Here is what I have done to get Office97 (primarily Access97) to work on Windows7HomePremium and Server2008R2.

Take ownership of C:\windows\System32 and C:\Windows\SysWOW64
Properties - Security - Advanced - Owner - Edit - AdministratorsGroup - Apply - OK - Change permissions - Administrators - Edit - Administrators - ALL - OK - OK

Install Office97 as Custom to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office NOT C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office without Outlook (I haven't come up with a solution yet). You will get the CTL3D32.dll error message and maybe some mail error just keep clicking ok. It should say that it was installed successfully.

Copy CTL3D32.DLL and WRKGADM.EXE from C:\Windows\SysWOW64 to C:\Windows\System32
There is no need to overwrite CTL3D32.DLL if it exists.

Before applying Service Pack 2 - sr2bof97.exe, you will need to copy Tahoma fonts from a known good install to C:\Windows\Fonts overwriting if necessary. Apply Service Pack 2.

If you will be using an ACC97 mde, you will need to create an exact folder structure to match the location of any references as they are on the computer that created the mde.

If you need create ODBC connection, be mindful the default ODBC is 64bit and is not 100% compatible with 32bit databases, SQL2005 on Server 2003. I ran into code problems with ADO and the 64bit ODBC. The 32 bit ODBC is located at C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe

Turn off Data Execution Prevention for msaccess.exe
Start - Control Panel - Advanced system settings - Advanced - Performance - Settings - Data Execution - Navigate to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\msaccess.exe

Change the Compatibility for msaccess.exe at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office to Windows XP (Service Pack 3). Also change the Privilege Level to Run this program as an administrator.

RockyMtnHi said:

I attempted to install Access 97 ( have to use it due to the applications written in it) in Windows 7 64 bit and apparently because it can't write to the c:\windows\system32 folder the installation fails. I also tried installing it with administrative privileges and it didn't work. I installed it in XP Mode and got the same results.

Initially the installation said that ctl3d32.dll couldn't be installed, then an error saying system.mdw wasn't installed. When I try to create system.mdw using the Workgroup Administrator it fails, probably because it can't write to the /windows/system32 folder.

I am sure this is a common problem but I can't find a solution.

I am a developer so I have a ton of apps to install, but this is the only problem I have with running applications in the 64 bit Windows 7.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help...

I have an "OEM" version of Office 97 Professional and have successfully installed and run all its features including Access (that is except Outlook, which I don't use).

Moreover, I have installed it not only on Windows 7 32 and 64-bit, but also have run it on Vista and as well most recently on Windows 8 64-bit.

I do use a registry hack that gives me a right-click selection to "Take ownership of this folder" and used it on the Windows "Fonts" folder and the "System32" folder. I also did the same on the Office folder in Program Files (or Program Files (x86) as appropriate).

As well, I use the Properties -> Compatibility Tab to run all installs and patches using the Windows 95 mode and Administrator.

The only "problems" I have had are: 1) installing the SR-2 patch, and 2) in Windows 8 the "SendKeys" macro function does not work.

I have solved the problem with the SR2 patch by modifying the "FileList.txt" file before running the patch. (I will share the steps to do this if anyone wants them.)

When I try to install Access 97 with SR-2 patch, I get a message "This operating system does not meet the minimum requirements to run Office 97. Please check the minimum requirements section fot he README.TXT or README.HLP on this CD for further details". I am using an up-to-date computer. Step by step instructions would be very helpful. Thanks!

pbr2000 said:

When I try to install Access 97 with SR-2 patch, I get a message "This operating system does not meet the minimum requirements to run Office 97. Please check the minimum requirements section fot he README.TXT or README.HLP on this CD for further details". I am using an up-to-date computer. Step by step instructions would be very helpful. Thanks!

It sounds like my installation may differ from yours in that I am installing Access 97 from my disk of Office 97 Professional "OEM". It does NOT contain any service releases of any kind. (I've always had to apply these after initial install.)

My installs on XP, Vista and Windows 7 have been 32-bit. The 64-bit install I've done was on Windows 8 Consumer Preview and it went flawlessly. I was even able to apply SR1 and SR3 after install. (I had to modify permissions and "filelist.txt" to get SR3 to install.)

After you posted, I decided to install on 64-bit Windows 7 and see if it would go the same as on Windows 8.

It did not. I received the "CTL3D32.DLL" error discussed elsewhere and "fixed" it per the other posts. (Although I also tested my install before I did the fix and everything seemed to work OK.)

I was not able to install SR3 even using the method that worked on Windows 8, so I'm afraid I don't have help to give you.

Word, Access, Excel and Power Point (97) are all working OK without the service pack(s). I don't use Outlook, but for kicks I tried to include it in the install but I could not even get it to start up.

So the bottom line is that, for me anyway, Access 97 will work on 64-bit WIndows 7 by using my Office 97 Professional OEM install that contains no service releases.

I hope that this info helps some.

ccatlett1984 said:

Please tell me you are trying to move your access97 stuff to something from the past decade????

Just so you are aware Windows 8 will be microsofts last 32bit OS. If you really need it, thats what app-v and thinapp are for. just put the mdb file on a file share and allow the virtualized app access to the share.

I have a pretty involved Access database (for personal use) that was created on Access 2.0 and, with a few tweaks, now also runs perfectly on Access 97. I programmed it with many macro functions (a mistake I see now), and since it's been over 15 years since doing it, I'm not sure I'll ever get it to work like it does on the "newer" versions of Access.

Then also, there are the pervasive "Authentication" issues that go along with the newer versions of Office and these do not have to be dealt with when I use Office 97 (like for my experimental WIndows 8 install).