Cannot initialize the data source object of OLE DB provider “Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0” for linked server I'm trying to establish a linked server from SQL Server 2008 R2 to an Access database. The Access database is not password protected. As I have seen in other posts (specifically this one), this is usually due to the current user not having access to the Temp folder inside the NetworkService folder. Since we are running this in Windows Server 2008, the directory structure is quite different than what most are alluding to. I have allowed access to every temp folder in the "root:\Documents and Settings\" directory, and to no avail.

This is the procedure I am using to add the linked server:

EXEC sp_addlinkedserver 
@server = N'OS_Access', 
@provider = N'Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0', 
@srvproduct = N'',
@datasrc = N'C:\RTBData\Data\OS.mdb';
GO


It creates the linked server with no problem, but I am not able to view the tables/views of the database. Likewise, my ASP.NET application cannot access it either.

I have tried both ACE and JET(64-bit)(by installing the Data Connectivity Components for Office), and they both do not work. I have also tried configuring the ACE provider with "Dynamic Parameter" and "Allow InProcess" to true. 

Additionally, I tried upping the memory usage by the MSSQLSERVER services by adding "-g512;" in front of "startup parameters" string in SQL configuration manager to rule out memory issues.

If anyone could shed some light on this that would be fantastic! Thanks!
I fixed the problem by disabling UAC within the control panel. I am unsure what changes this made, but it might help others!