Using the Jet Compact Utility requires a few manual steps. It does not overwrite your original file automatically; instead, it outputs the repaired data into a brand-new file.
: Click the browse button (...) next to Database to Compact From (Source) and select your corrupted file.
Since JETCOMP.exe is increasingly difficult to find and support for older Jet engines is ending (e.g., Access Database Engine 2016 support ended October 14, 2025), you should consider: Built-in Utility Compact & Repair Database tool within modern versions of Microsoft Access (found under File > Info). Microsoft 365 Access Runtime
Here are some common issues you may encounter with jetcomp.exe:
: Ensure no one else is in the database by deleting any lingering files in the folder. Professional Recovery : Tools like are often used as a last resort for business-critical data. jetcomp.exe download
Even if you think you have tried it, try it one more time. Sometimes a database that won't open with Access can still be compacted and repaired by the built-in tool if you launch Access and use the Compact and Repair Database command from the Database Tools menu.
Before we discuss the download process, let's understand what the file actually does.
Disclaimer: This tool is provided "as is" and is not supported by Microsoft Product Support Services. Use with caution. To make this article more helpful, Include a section on ? Add more 3rd party data recovery tool alternatives ? Share public link
If your database contains heavy VBA customization or forms, jetcomp.exe might only recover the core tables and data. If this happens, you may need to import the recovered tables into a fresh, blank Access database file manually. "Not a Valid Password" Error Using the Jet Compact Utility requires a few manual steps
Because this is a legacy tool, you may need to look for it on reputable software archive sites, though extreme caution
For developers, you can perform compaction programmatically using ADO (ActiveX Data Objects) and the JetEngine object's CompactDatabase method. This allows you to integrate database maintenance directly into your applications. This method requires MDAC 2.1 or later and is a more modern approach for programmatic control.
There are several reasons why you might need to download jetcomp.exe:
Are you currently seeing a specific when trying to open your database? Restoring Corrupt ACCESS Database - Spiceworks Community Since JETCOMP
: Click the ellipsis (...) button to browse and select your corrupt .mdb file.
: Click the compact button to start the repair process. The tool is a small executable (around 64 KB) and requires no formal installation.
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