ShoWorks may display the following error when attempting to open reports or run queries:

Error 2004 - There isn't enough memory to perform this operation. Close unneeded programs and try the operation again.

Despite the wording of the message, this error usually does not mean that the computer has physically run out of RAM.

Important: Update Microsoft Office First

Microsoft identified an issue in recent versions of Microsoft Access that can produce Error 2004 ("There isn't enough memory to perform this operation"), particularly during operations such as opening or previewing reports.

Microsoft released an Office update on October 6, 2026 (Build 16.0.20430.20146) that appears to address this issue.

Before performing any other troubleshooting, make sure Microsoft Office/Access is fully updated. In most installations, you can do this by opening an Office application and selecting:

File > Account > Update Options > Update Now

After the update completes, restart Windows and test ShoWorks again.

If you are running Microsoft Office Build 16.0.20430.20092 or 16.0.20430.20118, updating is particularly important because these builds have been associated with the Microsoft Access Error 2004 issue.

Typical Symptoms

Error 2004 can have a fairly distinctive pattern:

• ShoWorks may initially operate normally after being opened.
• The error is commonly encountered when attempting to open or preview reports or run queries.
• In some cases, the error begins only after ShoWorks has remained open and been used for some period of time.
• Once the condition develops, the error may also begin appearing during other ShoWorks operations.
• Completely closing ShoWorks and reopening the program may temporarily clear the condition.
• The error may eventually return after additional use.

If a report or query that produces Error 2004 works normally after completely closing and restarting ShoWorks, the problem is generally not the report or query itself and does not necessarily indicate that the computer needs additional physical memory.

Another Known Cause: Antivirus and Security Software

If Microsoft Office is fully updated and Error 2004 continues to occur, antivirus, endpoint-security, and ransomware-protection software should also be investigated.

Security products continuously monitor application activity, files, and database operations. In some environments, this interaction can interfere with Microsoft Access applications such as ShoWorks. Operations requiring additional resources - such as opening reports or running queries - may be the first place the problem becomes apparent.

Security products that have been associated with this behavior include:

• OpenText
• CrowdStrike
• SentinelOne
• Sophos
• Bitdefender
• ESET NOD32 Antivirus
• Trend Micro Security
• Malwarebytes
• Symantec Endpoint Protection

Other antivirus and endpoint-security products may cause similar behavior and should not be ruled out simply because they are not included in this list.

Recommended Troubleshooting

1. Update Microsoft Office

Install all available Microsoft Office updates. If possible, verify that Office has been updated to Build 16.0.20430.20146 or later.

After updating, restart Windows before testing ShoWorks.

2. Completely Exit and Restart ShoWorks

Close ShoWorks completely and then reopen it. Try opening the same report or running the same query again.

If it now works normally but Error 2004 eventually returns, continue with the troubleshooting below.

3. Restart Windows

If completely restarting ShoWorks does not clear the condition, restart the affected computer.

4. Temporarily Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus or Endpoint-Security Software

If Microsoft Office is fully updated and the problem continues, temporarily uninstall the third-party antivirus, endpoint-security, or ransomware-protection software from the affected computer for diagnostic purposes, and then restart Windows before testing ShoWorks again.

Simply selecting Disable, Pause Protection, or a similar option within the security software may not be sufficient. Many security products continue to run background services, drivers, or monitoring components even when they appear to be disabled. Temporarily uninstalling the product provides a more reliable test of whether the security software is contributing to the problem.

After uninstalling the security software and restarting Windows, open ShoWorks and use it normally, including opening reports and running queries. Because Error 2004 may develop only after ShoWorks has been running for some time, do not consider the test conclusive simply because ShoWorks works immediately after restarting. Allow enough normal usage time to determine whether the error returns.

If Error 2004 no longer occurs after the security software has been removed, contact the manufacturer of your antivirus or security software for assistance. Advise them that their security product appears to be interfering with a Microsoft Access application and ask them to determine the appropriate configuration or corrective action necessary to prevent that interference.

Summary

If you encounter Error 2004 in ShoWorks, first update Microsoft Office and restart Windows. Microsoft Access builds released prior to October 6, 2026 have been associated with this error, and Microsoft's newer Office update appears to correct the Access issue.

If the problem continues after Office has been fully updated, investigate third-party antivirus or endpoint-security software as described above.