How to disable access to old data with newest version of software?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenge of disabling access to old data using the newest version of software, specifically in the context of Microsoft Office and a school database system. Participants explore the feasibility of preventing newer software from opening files created with older versions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant provides examples of Microsoft Excel and a school database, illustrating the desire to restrict access to files created with older software versions.
  • Another participant argues that it is generally not possible to prevent a specific version of software from opening files, suggesting that while access can be restricted through methods like password protection, this would also block older versions.
  • Some participants express a need to find a solution despite acknowledging the impossibility of the task.
  • One suggestion is to make old files Read-Only to prevent the new software from updating the format, although this does not meet the original request to block access entirely.
  • There are repeated assertions that the goal of completely disabling access to old data with the new software is impossible, with some participants questioning the rationale behind the request.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that completely disabling access to old data with the newest software is not feasible. However, there are differing opinions on the implications of this impossibility and the motivations behind the request.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the term "version" is not well defined, which may complicate the discussion. The conversation also reflects a lack of clarity on the underlying goals of the original request.

quoring
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TL;DR
I need to figure out a way how to disable access to old data with the newest version of software that is build for that data type
Here are two examples:

1. Microsoft Excel. If you buy the newest version of Microsoft Office, it is able to open and read all files that were created with the older versions of Microsoft Office. Let's say that I have an older version of Microsoft Excel and I create some files with it. Later I buy the newest version of Microsoft Office and I want to disable the ability of the newest version to open the files created with the older version.

2. In a school they have database of students and their school results in all subjects in all the previous years. There is a software that can be used to open, read and write into the database. Let's say that the school buys the newest version of this software, an update, and I want to disable the access of that newest version of the software to that students database created with one of the previous versions.

How can I achieve that? Thank you.
 
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Generally speaking you can't.
A file does not "know" which software is trying to open it; so there is no simple way to prevent a specific piece of software from opening it. You can of course restrict access in the usual way (say password protect it), but then you will prevent the old version to open it as well.

Btw, "version" is not really a well defined technical concept; a simple bugfix is strictly speaking a new version but would generally not be sold as a new version of say Office (whereas some companies will charge you for every single update to your software, even if it doesn't really add useful features)
 
I know that it is not possible. However I still need to figure that out.
 
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quoring said:
I know that it is not possible. However I still need to figure that out.
Make the old files Read-Only, and you're done. You want to keep the new software from updating the format when saving so that the old versions can still read the old files, right?
 
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I want the latest (newest) software not to be able to open it at all.

I do not care about the old version. I did not write anything about if the older versions can still open it or not. I do not care.
 
Why ?
 
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quoring said:
I want the latest (newest) software not to be able to open it at all.

I do not care about the old version. I did not write anything about if the older versions can still open it or not. I do not care.
Can you just delete the old data?
 
quoring said:
How can I achieve that?
You can't. So if that is your goal, it's impossible.

If what you are asking about is just a way you are trying to achieve some other goal, there might be a different way to achieve that other goal that isn't impossible. The only way to figure that out is for us to know what the other goal is, if there is one.
 
quoring said:
I know that it is not possible. However I still need to figure that out.
Cool. You know it is impossible but you want to do it anyway. I admire your optimism. But not your grasp of reality.
 
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