With the release of AutoCAD Electrical 2026, Autodesk has made a notable backend shift in database handling
Due to the extended support of Microsoft Access Database Engine (ADE) 2016 ending on the 14th October 2025, AutoCAD Electrical now will require use of Microsoft Access Runtime as the database engine for managing project and catalogue data.
In this blog post, we’ll explore:
Why the Switch from Access Database Engine 2016?
Microsoft officially ended support for the Access Database Engine 2016 as part of its broader lifecycle changes tied to Office 2016 products. Continuing to rely on ADE 2016 introduces security risks and potential incompatibility with modern operating systems and applications.
To ensure continued functionality and security in AutoCAD Electrical 2026, Autodesk has moved toward using Microsoft Access Runtime, which offers a more sustainable and supported alternative for database interaction.
What Is Microsoft Access Runtime?
Microsoft Access Runtime is a free, redistributable version of Microsoft Access that allows users to run Access applications without needing the full version of Access installed. It includes the database engine necessary to interact with .mdb files, which are commonly used in AutoCAD Electrical for:
This makes it a perfect drop-in replacement for ADE 2016.
Manual Installation Required
Unlike ADE 2016, Microsoft Access Runtime is not bundled with the AutoCAD Electrical installer. Users must manually download and install it. Here’s how:
Important Note: Do not install both 32-bit and 64-bit runtimes on the same system as they will conflict.
Backwards Compatibility
Microsoft Access Runtime is highly backwards compatible with previous AutoCAD Electrical releases. It supports opening and editing .mdb files created by:
As long as file formats remain consistent (i.e., no schema changes in newer versions), Access Runtime can interact with existing data without issue.
Potential Compatibility Issues
Summary
|
Feature |
Microsoft Access Runtime |
Access Database Engine 2016 |
|
Supported by Microsoft |
Yes (current versions) |
No (EOL – 10/2025) |
|
Required for AutoCAD Electrical 2026 |
Yes |
Deprecated |
|
Manual Installation |
Required |
Usually pre-installed |
|
Backwards Compatible |
Yes (.mdb) |
Yes (when supported) |
|
Security Updates |
Ongoing |
Ended |
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If you would like further information on the benefits of using AutoCAD Electrical for your electrical design, feel free to contact us at Symetri to arrange a consultation with one of our electrical specialists. We offer scheduled AutoCAD Electrical essentials training, as well as be-spoke training tailored to your requirements to help you work smarter for a better future.
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