Support Statement for Visual Basic 6.0 on Windows
Microsoft's goal is "It Just Works" compatibility for pre-existing Visual Basic 6.0 applications on supported Windows versions. The Visual Basic 6.0 runtime will be supported for the support lifetime of Windows versions (https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/faq/windows). The support bar is limited to serious regressions and critical security issues for existing applications. For additional information and product documentation, see the Visual Basic 6.0 Resource Center.
Details on the support lifecycle of Microsoft products can be found at https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/. To find out about additional support options, please visit our support page at https://www.microsoft.com/support.
From time to time this document will be updated as new OS versions are released.
Technical summary
Visual Basic 6.0 is made up of these key deliverables:
- Visual Basic 6.0 IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
- Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime: the base libraries and execution engine used to run VB 6.0 applications.
- Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime Extended Files: selected ActiveX control OCX files, libraries, and tools shipping with the IDE media and as an online release.
The Visual Basic 6.0 IDE support lifetime
VB6 development is no longer supported. This support statement does not change the support policy for the Visual Basic IDE. The Visual Basic 6.0 IDE and Visual Studio 6.0 IDE are no longer supported as of April 8, 2008. Because there is no supported method to create or maintain Visual Basic 6 applications, Microsoft strongly recommends that you replace your applications with modern technology.
The Visual Basic 6.0 runtime support lifetime
The Visual Basic 6.0 runtime is defined as the compiled binary files originally included in the redistribution list for Visual Basic 6.0. These files were marked as distributable in the original Visual Basic 6.0 license. See the the Runtime Definition section below.
Supported runtime files — Shipping in the OS
Key Visual Basic 6.0 runtime files, used in the majority of application scenarios, are shipping in and supported for the lifetime of supported Windows versions. These files have been tested for compatibility as part of our testing of Visual Basic 6.0 applications running on supported Windows versions.
Note
The VB6 runtime support bar is limited to serious regressions and critical security issues for existing applications, and only for the length of the Windows support lifecycle.
Note
All supported Windows versions contain a nearly identical list of files, and the redist requirements for applications containing these files should be nearly identical. One key difference is that
TriEdit.dllwas removed from Windows Vista and later versions.Supported runtime extended files — files to distribute with your application
This extended list consists of key controls, libraries, and tools that are installed from the IDE media or from Microsoft.com to the developer machine. Typically, the VB6 IDE installed these controls to the developer machine by default. The developer still needs to redistribute these files with the application. The supported version of the files is available for download.
Unsupported runtime files
Some files either have fallen out of support or were never included as a part of the runtime redist (that is, they were included in the
\Toolsfolder on the IDE media to support legacy VB4 and VB5 applications, or they were third-party controls). These files are not supported on Windows; instead they are subject to whatever support agreement applies to the media they were shipped with. This implies no warranties around support and servicing. In some instances, later versions of these libraries are supported. Details on backward compatibility or migration to supported versions are provided below.
For specific details on the files included in each support group see the Runtime Definition section below.
Windows operating system versions that support VB6
This section provides additional information regarding the operating systems that offer some level of support for VB6. This list does not change the support lifecycle for Windows or Windows Server. The Windows support lifecycle fact sheet contains additional lifecycle information about Windows versions.
| Windows operating system | VB6 Runtime Files in OS | VB6 Runtime Extended Files | VB6 IDE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows 10 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows 8.1 SP1 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows 7 SP1 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows Server 2025 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows Server 2022 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows Server 2019 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows Server 2016 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows Server 2012 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
Note
For Windows Server, only 64-bit editions are supported. Server Core is not supported.
64-Bit Windows
Visual Basic 6.0 runtime files continue to be 32-bit only. On 64-bit Windows and Windows Server, VB6 applications and all VB runtime components are supported only in the WOW emulation environment. Some files are not included in 64-bit Windows and Windows Server as referenced in the table below.
While VB6 development is no longer supported, the Visual Basic 6.0 IDE has never been offered in a native 64-bit version, nor has the 32-bit IDE been supported on 64-bit Windows.
Visual Basic 6.0 runtime usage inside VBA and Office
Visual Basic for Applications, or VBA, is a distinct technology commonly used for application automation and macros inside of other applications, most commonly inside Microsoft Office applications. VBA ships as a part of Office and therefore the support for VBA is governed by the support policy of Office. However, there are situations where VBA is used to call or host Visual Basic 6.0 runtime binaries and controls. In these situations, Visual Basic 6.0 supported runtime files in the OS and the extended file list are also supported when used inside of a supported VBA environment on a supported OS.
For VB6 runtime scenarios to be supported inside VBA, all of the following must be true:
- The host OS version for VB runtime is still supported.
- The host version of Office for VBA is still supported.
- The runtime files in question are still supported.
Visual Basic Script (VBScript)
VBScript is unrelated to Visual Basic 6.0 and this support statement. VBScript is governed by the OS support lifecycle. See the VBScript deprecation timelines and next steps.
Third-party components
Microsoft is unable to provide support for third party components, such as OCX/ActiveX controls. Customers are encouraged to contact the original control vendor for details on support for those components.
Reporting issues with VB 6.0 applications running on Windows
Developers planning to use Visual Basic 6.0 runtime files with one of the listed Windows operating systems should install that operating system and begin application compatibility testing using original application acceptance testing. If you find an issue with your Visual Basic 6.0 application running on one of the listed Windows operating systems, please follow your normal support channels to report the issue.
Runtime definition
Runtime files supported and shipping in Windows
| atl.dll | msadcor.dll | msvbvm60.dll | ole2.dll |
| asycfilt.dll | msadds.dll | msvcirt.dll | ole32.dll |
| comcat.dll | msaddsr.dll | msvcrt.dll | oleaut32.dll |
| compobj.dll | msader15.dll | msvcrt40.dll | oleaut32.dll |
| dbnmpntw.dll | msado15.dll | mtxdm.dll | oledb32.dll |
| dcomcnfg.exe | msador15.dll | mtxoci.dll | oledb32r.dll |
| dllhost.exe | msadrh15.dll | odbc16gt.dll | oledlg.dll |
| ds16gt.dll | mscpxl32.dll | odbc32.dll | olepro32.dll |
| ds32gt.dll | msdadc.dll | odbc32gt.dll | olethk32.dll |
| expsrv.dll | msdaenum.dll | odbcad32.exe | regsvr32.exe |
| hh.exe | msdaer.dll | odbccp32.dll | rpcns4.dll |
| hhctrl.ocx | msdaora.dll | odbccr32.dll | rpcrt4.dll |
| imagehlp.dll | msdaosp.dll | odbccu32.dll | scrrun.dll |
| iprop.dll | msdaprst.dll | odbcint.dll | secur32.dll |
| itircl.dll | msdaps.dll | odbcji32.dll | simpdata.tlb |
| itss.dll | msdasc.dll | odbcjt32.dll | sqloledb.dll |
| mfc40.dll | msdasql.dll | odbctrac.dll | sqlsrv32.dll |
| mfc42.dll | msdasqlr.dll | oddbse32.dll | stdole2.tlb |
| mfc42u.dll | msdatsrc.tlb | odexl32.dll | stdole32.tlb |
| msadce.dll | msdatt.dll | odfox32.dll | storage.dll |
| msadcer.dll | msjtes40.dll | odpdx32.dll | vbajet32.dll |
| msadco.dll | msorcl32.dll | odtext32.dll |
Note
The files ds16gt.dll, ds32gt.dll, odbc16gt.dll, and odbc32gt.dll are only supported on a 32-bit OS.
Supported runtime files to distribute with your application
| comct232.ocx | msbind.dll | msdbrptr.dll | msstdfmt.dll |
| comct332.ocx | mscdrun.dll | msflxgrd.ocx | msstkprp.dll |
| comctl32.ocx | mschrt20.ocx | mshflxgd.ocx | mswcrun.dll |
| comdlg32.ocx | mscomct2.ocx | mshtmpgr.dll | mswinsck.ocx |
| dbadapt.dll | mscomctl.ocx | msinet.ocx | picclp32.ocx |
| dbgrid32.ocx | mscomm32.ocx | msmapi32.ocx | richtx32.ocx |
| dblist32.ocx | msdatgrd.ocx | msmask32.ocx | sysinfo.ocx |
| mci32.ocx | msdatlst.ocx | msrdc20.ocx | tabctl32.ocx |
| msadodc.ocx | msdatrep.ocx | msrdo20.dll |
Unsupported, but supported and compatible updates or upgrades are available
| dao350.dll | msexch35.dll | msjter35.dll | msrepl35.dll |
| mdac_typ.exe | msexcl35.dll | msjtor35.dll | mstext35.dll |
| mschart.ocx | msjet35.dll | msltus35.dll | msxbse35.dll |
| msdaerr.dll | msjint35.dll | mspdox35.dll | odbctl32.dll |
| msdatl2.dll | msjt4jlt.dll | msrd2x35.dll | oledb32x.dll |
Unsupported runtime files
| anibtn32.ocx | spin32.ocx | rpcltscm.dll | rdocurs.dll |
| graph32.ocx | gauge32.ocx | rpcmqcl.dll | vbar332.dll |
| keysta32.ocx | gswdll32.dll | rpcmqsvr.dll | visdata.exe |
| autmgr32.exe | ciscnfg.exe | rpcss.exe | vsdbflex.srg |
| autprx32.dll | olecnv32.dll | dbmsshrn.dll | threed32.ocx |
| racmgr32.exe | rpcltc1.dll | dbmssocn.dll | MSWLess.ocx |
| racreg32.dll | rpcltc5.dll | windbver.exe | tlbinf32.dll |
| grid32.ocx | rpcltccm.dll | msderun.dll | triedit.dll |
| msoutl32.ocx | rpclts5.dll | odkob32.dll |
Localization support binaries
The following binaries are necessary for supporting Visual Basic 6.0 applications running on localized versions of the Windows operating system. They are supported but are not shipped in Windows. These files are required to be shipped with your application setup.
Supported runtime files to distribute with your application
| JPN | KOR | CHT | CHS |
|---|---|---|---|
| mfc42jpn.dll | mfc42kor.dll | mfc42cht.dll | mfc42chs.dll |
| scrrnjp.dll | scrrnko.dll | scrrncht.dll | scrrnchs.dll |
| vb6jp.dll | vb6ko.dll | vb6cht.dll | vb6chs.dll |
| cmct2jp.dll | cmct2ko.dll | cmct2cht.dll | cmct2chs.dll |
| cmct3jp.dll | cmct3ko.dll | cmct3cht.dll | mscc2chs.dll |
| mscc2jp.dll | mscc2ko.dll | mscc2cht.dll | cmct3chs.dll |
| cmctljp.dll | cmctlko.dll | cmctlcht.dll | cmctlchs.dll |
| cmdlgjp.dll | cmdlgko.dll | mscmccht.dll | mscmcchs.dll |
| mscmcjp.dll | mscmcko.dll | cmdlgcht.dll | cmdlgchs.dll |
| dbgrdjp.dll | dbgrdko.dll | dbgrdcht.dll | dbgrdchs.dll |
| dblstjp.dll | dblstko.dll | dblstcht.dll | dblstchs.dll |
| mcijp.dll | mciko.dll | mcicht.dll | mcichs.dll |
| msadnjp.dll | msadnko.dll | msadncht.dll | msadnchs.dll |
| adodcjp.dll | adodcko.dll | adodccht.dll | adodcchs.dll |
| mschtjp.dll | mschtko.dll | mschtcht.dll | mschtchs.dll |
| msch2jp.dll | msch2ko.dll | msch2cht.dll | msch2chs.dll |
| mscomjp.dll | mscomko.dll | mscomcht.dll | mscomchs.dll |
| datgdjp.dll | datgdko.dll | datgdcht.dll | datgdchs.dll |
| datlsjp.dll | datlsko.dll | datlscht.dll | datlschs.dll |
| datrpjp.dll | datrpko.dll | datrpcht.dll | datrpchs.dll |
| dbrprjp.dll | dbrprko.dll | dbrprcht.dll | dbrprchs.dll |
| flxgdjp.dll | flxgdko.dll | flxgdcht.dll | flxgdchs.dll |
| mshfgjpn.dll | mshfgkor.dll | mshfgcht.dll | mshfgchs.dll |
| htmprjp.dll | htmprko.dll | htmprcht.dll | htmprchs.dll |
| inetjp.dll | inetko.dll | inetcht.dll | inetchs.dll |
| msmpijp.dll | msmpiko.dll | msmpicht.dll | msmpichs.dll |
| msmskjp.dll | msmskko.dll | msmskcht.dll | msmskchs.dll |
| rdc20jp.dll | rdc20ko.dll | rdc20cht.dll | rdc20chs.dll |
| rdo20jp.dll | rdo20ko.dll | rdo20cht.dll | rdo20chs.dll |
| stdftjp.dll | stdftko.dll | stdftcht.dll | stdftchs.dll |
| mswcrjp.dll | mswcrko.dll | mswcrcht.dll | mswcrchs.dll |
| winskjp.dll | winskko.dll | winskcht.dll | winskchs.dll |
| pcclpjp.dll | pcclpko.dll | pcclpcht.dll | pcclpchs.dll |
| rchtxjp.dll | rchtxko.dll | rchtxcht.dll | rchtxchs.dll |
| sysinjp.dll | sysinko.dll | sysincht.dll | sysinchs.dll |
| tabctjp.dll | tabctko.dll | tabctcht.dll | tabctchs.dll |
| ITA | FRA | ESP | DEU |
|---|---|---|---|
| mfc42ita.dll | mfc42fra.dll | mfc42esp.dll | mfc42deu.dll |
| scrrnit.dll | scrrnfr.dll | scrrnes.dll | scrrnde.dll |
| vb6it.dll | vb6fr.dll | vb6es.dll | vb6de.dll |
| cmct2it.dll | cmct2fr.dll | cmct2es.dll | cmct2de.dll |
| mscc2it.dll | mscc2fr.dll | mscc2es.dll | mscc2de.dll |
| cmct3it.dll | cmct3fr.dll | cmct3es.dll | cmct3de.dll |
| cmctlit.dll | cmctlfr.dll | cmctles.dll | cmctlde.dll |
| mscmcit.dll | mscmcfr.dll | mscmces.dll | mscmcde.dll |
| cmdlgit.dll | cmdlgfr.dll | cmdlges.dll | cmdlgde.dll |
| dbgrdit.dll | dbgrdfr.dll | dbgrdes.dll | dbgrdde.dll |
| dblstit.dll | dblstfr.dll | dblstes.dll | dblstde.dll |
| mciit.dll | mcifr.dll | mcies.dll | mcide.dll |
| msadnit.dll | msadnfr.dll | msadnes.dll | msadnde.dll |
| adodcit.dll | adodcfr.dll | adodces.dll | adodcde.dll |
| mschtit.dll | mschtfr.dll | mschtes.dll | mschtde.dll |
| msch2it.dll | msch2fr.dll | msch2es.dll | msch2de.dll |
| mscomit.dll | mscomfr.dll | mscomes.dll | mscomde.dll |
| atgdit.dll | datgdfr.dll | datgdes.dll | datgdde.dll |
| datlsit.dll | datlsfr.dll | datlses.dll | datlsde.dll |
| datrpit.dll | datrpfr.dll | datrpes.dll | datrpde.dll |
| dbrprit.dll | dbrprfr.dll | dbrpres.dll | dbrprde.dll |
| flxgdit.dll | flxgdfr.dll | flxgdes.dll | flxgdde.dll |
| mshfgit.dll | mshfgfr.dll | mshfges.dll | mshfgde.dll |
| htmprit.dll | htmprfr.dll | htmpres.dll | htmprde.dll |
| inetit.dll | inetfr.dll | inetes.dll | inetde.dll |
| msmpiit.dll | msmpifr.dll | msmpies.dll | msmpide.dll |
| msmskit.dll | msmskfr.dll | msmskes.dll | msmskde.dll |
| rdc20it.dll | rdc20fr.dll | rdc20es.dll | rdc20de.dll |
| rdo20it.dll | rdo20fr.dll | rdo20es.dll | rdo20de.dll |
| stdftit.dll | stdftfr.dll | stdftes.dll | stdftde.dll |
| mswcrit.dll | mswcrfr.dll | mswcres.dll | mswcrde.dll |
| winskit.dll | winskfr.dll | winskes.dll | winskde.dll |
| pcclpit.dll | pcclpfr.dll | pcclpes.dll | pcclpde.dll |
| rchtxit.dll | rchtxfr.dll | rchtxes.dll | rchtxde.dll |
| sysinit.dll | sysinfr.dll | sysines.dll | sysinde.dll |
| tabctit.dll | tabctfr.dll | tabctes.dll | tabctde.dll |