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The runtime and developer extensions will be FREE!

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This morning we are announcing that the developer extensions and runtime will be available for FREE! In the past, Access developers had to purchase the Visual Studio Tools for Microsoft Office System in order to build and deploy runtime solutions. The product was costly at nearly $800 for the full version and $550 for the upgrade. This really is great news for Access developers.

We are still working on the finishing touches--I don't have a definite release date but rest assured the team is working hard to finish the work.

Here are a couple screen shots and the article. Enjoy!

Save As Template 

Package Solution Wizard

Package Solution Wizard Page 2

https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/bb229700.aspx

Introducing the Access 2007 Developer Extensions and Runtime

Shortly after the release to the general public of Microsoft Office Access 2007, Microsoft will make available the Access 2007 Developer Extensions and the Access 2007 Runtime. For the first time, both programs will be available as FREE downloads.

Access 2007 Developer Extensions

  • Package Solution
    This is a wizard that will create a Windows Installer Package (MSI) to install your database, any supporting files, and optionally include the Access 2007 Runtime or prompt the user to download the Access 2007 Runtime.
  • Save As Template
    This allows creating database templates (ACCDTs) that can be featured in the Access 2007 Getting Started screen.
  • Source Code Control
    Integration with Microsoft Visual Source Safe or other source code control systems to allow check-in/check-out of queries, forms, reports, macros, modules, and data. You can also see the differences that have been made to your checked out objects.

The Access 2007 Developer Extensions will not include the Property Scanner and the Customer Startup Wizard that were included in previous versions.

Microsoft Office Access 2007 Runtime

Access 2007 provides a rich platform for developing database management solutions with easy to use customization tools. If no end user customization is required (including report modifications), you may choose to distribute those Access 2007 solutions so that they run without requiring a full installation of Access 2007. You must package and distribute your application with the Access 2007 Runtime. The Access 2007 Runtime is similar to previous runtimes in that all design-related UI is either removed or disabled. However, there is one major change: we will be offering the Access 2007 Runtime as a free download, just like we have done for the Snapshot Viewer in the past. You will not need to buy any special SKU in order to redistribute the Access 2007 Runtime. You can freely redistribute it or just point people to the download on Microsoft.com.

Download Locations

Links to the download locations will be posted on Office Online and the Access Developer Portal on MSDN, when available.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 30, 2007
    Whoa! Impressive.  Nice stuff.

  • Anonymous
    January 30, 2007
    Thank you for the update Clint, and thank you for filling in the breech in the MS blogs regarding Access even though you are moving on, I am sure you will let us know when someone else is ready to try and fill your shoes :-) Thanks again, Steve

  • Anonymous
    January 30, 2007
    Great news!!! We are rolling out the Terminal Server version of our product ASAP

  • Anonymous
    January 30, 2007
    WOW!!   ;-)))

  • Anonymous
    January 31, 2007
    Hi... for the zillions of you who asked the question: What about the Access runtime?? To be very open

  • Anonymous
    January 31, 2007
    Where will the Property Scanner and the Customer Startup Wizard  be found now?  Will they still be a part of VSTO?  I have wanted to see the code behind all this that was included with VSTO 2003 but never upgraded the users runtime to 2003 from 2002. Ken

  • Anonymous
    January 31, 2007
    This is awesome news, Clint!  One day we're wondering if we're going to get it at all, and the next day it's not only coming, but FREE :-)))

  • Anonymous
    January 31, 2007
    That is really wonderful. Lots of people buying their own Access software can't afford the additional cost. This should encourage a lot more developers to do some independent work.

  • Anonymous
    January 31, 2007
    This is great news all round. For independent developers, it will mean not having to fork out for the extra software. Almost as important will be the ability for users or their software departments to install it themselves and save us time having to create robust installation packages which take time and may contribute significantly to the price of a system. If I were a customer of mine, I would not really want to be paying the developer to set up and install such an intallation package when I am also paying for the database itself. Allowing users to install the runtime allows us to concentrate more on database development. I am sure it will also help Microsoft too. They may lose some customers who otherwise would have been able to pay for the full version, but getting the runtime onto people's PC's will create a lot more interest in Access, leading to such people wanting to know more about Access and realising they can do some database stuff themselves if they buy the full version. Even with the improvements for such users in 2007, it ought to lead to more work for developers who have to come in and rescue them from time to time. This is excellent news.

  • Anonymous
    February 01, 2007
    "Wow" :-) great news, will certainly help to encourage the use of access as a development platform.

  • Anonymous
    February 01, 2007
    Seit einigen Tagen sind die "Runtime and Developer Extensions" frei verfügbar. In der Vergangenheit mussten

  • Anonymous
    February 01, 2007
    Good news on the Runtime and Developer Extensions Do the Access Runtime bits include Graph12.exe? --rj

  • Anonymous
    February 01, 2007
    Can we run Access 2000 file with Access 2007 runtime?

  • Anonymous
    February 02, 2007
    Ken Jensen: We have no definite plans for shipping the Custom Startup Wizard and Property Scanner as part of another product.  However there is a good chance we will just post them as free samples on Clint's blog.  So keep an eye on this blog. :-)

  • Anonymous
    February 02, 2007
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    March 09, 2007
    I recently stumbled across some interesting work done by our Office Online team. They allow YOU to submit