There’s a new bug with Access 2016 in which the Open last used database when Access starts property does not work.

This issue also seem to involve hung msaccess.exe process, so Access does not appear to be shutting down properly.  When exiting Access, be sure to use check the Windows Task Manager for hung processes and end them.

A Few Threads on the Subject

Office 2016 Access not automatically opening last database used.
ACCESS 2016
Build 1705 and Client Settings
MS Access 2016 will not release CPU after shutting down.
The Confirm Action Queries, Document Deletions and Record Changes options will not stay unchecked.

Update

The bug in questions appears to be much more generalized and impacts many, if not all, of the database options/settings.  So the workarounds below can be generalized, with the obvious need to first identify each options corresponding registry key (most are pretty obvious).

Workaround No.1

I did a quick test and isolated the RegKey, if you want to manually set/reset it, I believe you should be able to by editing

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Access\Settings\

And then edit the LastLoad DWord with the following hexadecimal value

0 = Do not load the last used database automatically
1= Load the last used database automatically

Workaround No2.

Today, May 9th, I was offered another workaround from the Access Dev Team that is looking into the issue.  Simply open a form (any form!) in Design view prior to opening the Database Options.  It does appear to work based on my brief testing and at least this way you don’t need to mess around with the registry directly.

Possible Side Effect With RibbonCreator

Fellow MVP George Hepworth has flagged the fact that it would appear that this issue seems to impact the RibbonCreator and it generates the following error

Do note that a proposed workaround can be found at Exporting to an Access database ends with the Message “The selected database is open. …” which basically states to perform an Office Repair.

Do also note that after performing a 2016 Office Repair, I lost all my taskbar links, and Office was deactivated and then would not recognize my account and I had to contact MS support to get it operational again!

Update From The Access Dev Team

The Access Dev Team shared with me the fact that:

A fix is on its way in the May fork, which should have build numbers like 16.0.8229.*, and be available to Current Channel customers in early July. You can share that information (although dates for future releases are always estimates).

So hopefully this will be resolved in the near future.