Download Microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 Provider For Both 64-bit 🎯 📥

| 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. |

Most users only need one architecture. Here is how to do it cleanly.

Scenario A: You only have 64-bit tools (e.g., 64-bit SQL Server, 64-bit SSIS).

Scenario B: You only have 32-bit tools or 32-bit Office

After installation, the provider will be registered in the OLE DB list. You can verify via:

Your connection string will look like this:

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=C:\Data\Sales.xlsx;Extended Properties="Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES";

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

Run the installer normally:

AccessDatabaseEngine.exe

To deploy across many machines silently: download microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 provider for both 64-bit

AccessDatabaseEngine_x64.exe /quiet /norestart

For 32-bit:

AccessDatabaseEngine.exe /quiet /norestart

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.

You can download the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 provider by installing the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable

. While older 2010 versions are out of support, the 2016 redistributable remains the standard official source for this specific provider name. Microsoft Learn Official Download Links To get the 64-bit provider, download the file from the official Microsoft Download Center 64-bit Version: AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe during the download prompt. 32-bit Version: AccessDatabaseEngine.exe if you need to support 32-bit applications. Microsoft Learn Installation Steps Remove Old Versions

: Uninstall any previous versions of the Access Database Engine via the Control Panel to avoid conflicts. Run Installer : Double-click the downloaded and follow the on-screen prompts. Command Line (Optional)

: If you need to install both 32-bit and 64-bit versions on the same machine (which is normally blocked), you can run the installer through the command prompt with the AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe /passive Connection String Example

After installation, developers can use the following provider argument in their connection strings:

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=C:\myFolder\myAccessFile.accdb; | Error Message | Likely Cause | Solution

: Support for the 2016 Redistributable officially ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft now recommends the Microsoft 365 Access Runtime

for newer environments, though it may require updating connection strings to OLEDB.16.0 for a specific file type, like Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable

To install the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 provider for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures on the same machine, you must use a specific command-line workaround. By default, Microsoft prevents side-by-side installations of different bitnesses of the Access Database Engine. 1. Download the Installers

Although Microsoft has removed some direct 2010 version links, you can typically use the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable, which still provides the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 provider for backward compatibility.

Download Page: Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable. Files to select: accessdatabaseengine.exe (32-bit) accessdatabaseengine_X64.exe (64-bit) 2. Side-by-Side Installation Steps

If you already have one version installed (e.g., 64-bit Office), a standard installation of the other will fail. Use the following "passive" installation method to bypass this restriction: Open Command Prompt as an Administrator.

Run the Installer with the /passive switch. For example, to force the 64-bit installation while 32-bit is present, navigate to your download folder and run: accessdatabaseengine_X64.exe /passive.

(Note: Use accessdatabaseengine.exe /passive if you are forcing the 32-bit version).

Registry Fix (Crucial step): After installation, you may need to delete a registry key to prevent Office configuration errors. Most users only need one architecture

Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Common\FilesPaths Delete or rename the mso.dll value. 3. Verify the Installation

To confirm both providers are correctly registered, you can use a simple UDL (Universal Data Link) test: Right-click on your desktop, select New -> Text Document.

Rename the file to test.udl (ensure file extensions are visible). Double-click the file to open Data Link Properties.

Check the Provider tab for Microsoft Office 12.0 Access Database Engine OLE DB Provider.

For developers, note that Visual Studio 2022 is a 64-bit application and will only see the 64-bit drivers in its design-time environment.

Downloading the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 provider for both 32-bit and 64-bit environments can be tricky because Microsoft's standard installers usually block you from having both bitnesses on the same machine. 1. Official Download Links

The "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" provider is part of the Microsoft Access Database Engine Redistributable. While older 2010 versions are harder to find on official landing pages, the 2016 Redistributable is the current standard and provides the updated OLEDB 16.0 driver, which often maintains compatibility with 12.0 connection strings.

Official 2016 Engine: Available at the Microsoft Download Center. You can choose between AccessDatabaseEngine.exe (32-bit) and AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe (64-bit).

Legacy 2010 Engine: If you specifically need the 12.0 version, some community members host archived links through platforms like Chocolatey or the Wayback Machine. 2. How to Install Both (Side-by-Side)

Microsoft generally prevents installing a 64-bit engine if 32-bit Office is present (and vice versa). To bypass this, you must use the command line with a specific flag:

Here is the definitive guide to downloading and installing the Microsoft ACE OLEDB 12.0 provider for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.