Default file format

This policy setting controls whether new database files are created in the new Access format or in a format used by earlier versions of Access.

If you enable this policy setting, you can specify whether new database files are created in Access 2013 format by default or in Access 2002--2003 format. Users can still override the default and select a specific format when they save the files, but cannot set the default by themselves from the Access Options dialog.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, when users create new database files, Access saves them in the new Access 2013 format; however, users can change this functionality by selecting a file format from the Default file format drop down list under Access Options | Popular | Creating databases. Note: If you disable this policy setting, users can choose from three default file formats: Access 2000, Access 2002--2003, and Access 2013. You can use this policy setting to specify either the Access 2002--2003 or Access 2013 format as the default, but not the Access 2000 format.

Supported on: At least Windows 7




  1. Access 2007
    Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry Pathsoftware\policies\microsoft\office\15.0\access\settings
    Value Namedefault file format
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value12
  2. Access 2002-2003
    Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry Pathsoftware\policies\microsoft\office\15.0\access\settings
    Value Namedefault file format
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value10
  3. Access 2000
    Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry Pathsoftware\policies\microsoft\office\15.0\access\settings
    Value Namedefault file format
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value9


access15.admx

Administrative Templates (Computers)

Administrative Templates (Users)