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Microsoft Access JETCOMP.exe

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Microsoft Access database files can quickly grow in size, which may result in performance degradation. Also, the database files can become corrupt due to factors ranging from error in binary file format, multi-user access, CRC errors to unrecognized database format and other reasons. You can try using the Microsoft Jet Compact Utility, also referred to as JETCOMP.exe, to fix the database issues.

What is JETCOMP.exe?

It is a freeware, standalone utility that allows to compact Access databases created with Microsoft Jet database engine 3.x and 4.x. Also, JETCOMP.exe may help you recover corrupt databases when run in conjunction with the Jet database engines 3.x and 4.x.

Although you can also run the Microsoft Access ‘Compact and Repair Database’ utility with Jet database engine 3.x and 4.x, but JETCOMP.exe may help in recovering some databases that the Microsoft Access Compact utility cannot.

Essentially, the Access Compact utility open and close a database prior for compacting the database. So, in certain cases where the utility cannot reopen the database file, it won’t be able to proceed with the recovery of that file. But, the Jet Compact utility attempts to compact the database without opening it. And thus, JETCOMP.exe may recover the databases that the MS Access compact utility failed to recover.

How the JETCOMP.exe utility works?

  1. Download the JETCOMP.exe package, and double-click JetComp.exe.
  2. In the ‘Database to Compact From (Source)’ textbox, type the path and name of your Access database that you wish to compact.
  3. In the ‘Database to Compact Into (Destination)’ textbox, type the path and name of the new compacted database that you wish to create.
  4. Next, under ‘Additional Compact Options’ tab, select the appropriate options.
  5. Click Compact.

Limitations of JETCOMP.exe

While the Jet Compact Utility can be used to compact the database, there are a few limitations of this utility you need to know about:

  • It only works on .mdb files
  • It only supports recovery of minor corruptions in Access database
  • It is compatible with Access 2010 and earlier versions
  • Incorrect implementation of instructions to run JETCOMP.exe may cause damage to the database
  • Running jetcomp 4.0 utility occasionally throws an error, “Error Compacting database.” 

Alternative to Microsoft Access JetComp.exe

If JETCOMP.exe is not able to compact the database and you can’t afford to lose more time – finding and implementing solutions – to fix Access database file size/corruption issues, restore the database from backup of try Access database repair tools that can come in handy.

Conclusion

In this post, we discussed about the factors that can make an Access database corrupt or damaged, and how the Microsoft Jet Compact Utility (JETCOMP.exe) can help fix the issue. Besides this, the post also underlined the limitations of JETCOMP.exe and alternatives to fix databas corruption.