Since I am working with mainframers, they have no idea of how Access works. I have not compacted the database since the last time I refreshed the tables (Nov 1st). Version of Access is something that I have no control over. Updates and "patches" are applied remotely overnight, whenever corporate deems necessary.
If you think it would help, I can always try to "repair" and "compress" the database. I usually get in before anyone starts using the app.