The Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 provider is a 64-bit OLE DB provider that allows .NET applications to connect to Microsoft Office file formats, such as Access databases (.mdb, .accdb), Excel spreadsheets (.xls, .xlsx), and Text files. In this review, we'll cover the features, installation, and usage of this provider.
This error happens because the necessary driver—the —is missing, specifically for the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) that your application is running.
Microsoft has phased out direct support for the 2010 redistributable in favor of newer versions. As of mid-2026, the is the recommended choice. download microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 provider for both 64-bit
In rare cases where both providers are absolutely required, you can attempt the following steps from an elevated command prompt:
tab, look for "Microsoft Office 12.0 Access Database Engine OLE DB Provider". Application Bit-ness The Microsoft
In recent years, Microsoft has officially removed the direct download links for the ACE OLEDB 12.0 provider. You will no longer find a standalone 12.0 installer on Microsoft’s official website. However, this does not mean you cannot use the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 provider—it simply means you have to install it via a newer redistributable package.
. For example, to force the 64-bit installation while 32-bit is present, navigate to your download folder and run: accessdatabaseengine_X64.exe /passive . Microsoft has phased out direct support for the
| Package | Description | Direct Download Link | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Supports 64‑bit applications. Use this if your app targets x64. | Download AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe | | 32-bit version | Supports 32‑bit applications. Use this if your app targets x86. | Download AccessDatabaseEngine.exe (32-bit) |