You need to use the jet library to do this.
In other words, to read and write the mdb file format, then you can use JET.
You will thus not need to install ms-access.
Both the VB and the c++ development platforms include the libraries to do
this.
Check the c++ help files, as I am sure there is examples for using both the
dao object library, and for sure there is going to be examples using the ado
library.
You need to learn/use the ADO object libary. So, check/search the c++ help
files.
I belive there is a section titled "data access with visual studio".
You could also just do a search for "ado jet" if using the msdn library.