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Last Updated: February 11, 2022

ISSUE

When opening a database on a network file share, or with links to another database on a network file share, you may receive one of these errors:

  • Could not use ‘path to database.accdb’; file already in use.Could not use ‘path to database.accdb’; file already in use.

  • Could not lock file
    Error message: could not lock file.

STATUS: FIXED FOR THE FOLLOWING BUILDS

The following table indicates the KB update or Version/build that first introduced the issue along with each of the two fixes released to address this issue.

  • Standard UNC paths – This fix corrects the issue when using a standard UNC path (\\Server2\Share\Test\Database.accdb where the Database.accdb is a file in the Test directory of the \\Server2\Share volume)

  • All remaining network paths – This fix corrects the issue for all other network paths, such as: DFS Namespaces, Short file names, and Mapped drives.

Note: These updates are cumulative, so updating to the latest update will include the fix for standard UNC paths.

Office Product

Issue introduced

Resolved for standard UNC paths

Resolved for remaining network paths

Office 2013

KB 5002104

KB 2965317
KB 5002124

KB 5002151

Office 2016

KB 5002099

KB 4484211
KB 5002115

KB 5002138

Office LTSC 2019

Version 1808, build 10381.20020

Version 1808, build 10382.20010

Version 1808, build 10382.20034

Office LTSC 2021

Version 2108, build 14332.20204

Version 2108, build 14332.20216

Version 2108, build 14332.20216

Office 2016 C2R

Version 2111, build 14701.20248

Version 2111, build 14701.20262

Version 2112, build 14729.20248

Office 2019 Consumer

Version 2111, build 14701.20248

Version 2111, build 14701.20262

Version 2112, build 14729.20248

Office 2021 Consumer

Version 2111, build 14701.20248

Version 2111, build 14701.20262

Version 2112, build 14729.20248

Microsoft 365 Apps Current Channel

Version 2111, build 14701.20248

Version 2111, build 14701.20262

Version 2112, build 14729.20248

Microsoft 365 Apps Monthly Enterprise Channel

Version 2110, build 14527.20340
Version 2109, build 14430.20380

Version 2110, build 14527.20344
Version 2109, build 14430.20386

Version 2111, build 14701.20290
Version 2110, build 14527.20364

Microsoft 365 Apps Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview)

Version 2108, build 14326.20692

Version 2108, build 14326.20702

Version 2108, build 14326.20738

Microsoft 365 Apps Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel

Version 2102, build 13801.21086

Version 2102, build 13801.21092

Version 2102, build 13801.21156

Microsoft 365 Apps Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended

Version 2008, build 13127.21842

Version 2008, build 13127.21846

Version 2008, build 13127.21886

The fix may not be applied automatically. To apply the fix, install the latest updates by following the instructions here: Install Office updates

Note: Office must be updated on all machines running Access that have the impacted versions.

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See Also

Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Access

December 29, 2021, update for Office 2013 (KB2965317)

Databases on network share can't be accessed by multiple users in Office 2016 (KB4484211)

Description of the security update for Office 2013: January 11, 2022 (KB5002124)

Description of the security update for Office 2016: January 11, 2022 (KB5002115)

Description of the security update for Office 2013: December 14, 2021 (KB5002104)

Description of the security update for Office 2016: December 14, 2021 (KB5002099)

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