How to fix VB application not running on Windows Vista, 7 or 8

Feb 1, 2013 | command line, OSes, Scripts & Batch, visual basic, Windows

Older VB application built on VB 5 or 6 may not work properly under the newer versions of Windows Vista, 7 or 8. The app may even require specific dll or other file to be registered on the system.

  1. You may need to register MSCOMCT2.OCX and/or COMCTL32.OCX
  2. For a 32bit system run as follows:
    [text]Regsvr32 MSCOMCT2.OCX[/text]
  3. For a 64bit system run this:
    [text]Regsvr32 c:\windows\SysWOW64\MSCOMCT2.OCX[/text]

Do the same for other files if needed.

How to install VB 6.0 with SP6 on Windows 7

Sep 18, 2012 | Installations, OSes, visual basic, Windows

1. Install Visual Basic 6.0 (as Administrator)

Select custom install as follows:

Microsoft VB 6.0
Active X
Data Access
Graphics

2. Skip MSDN and all other install options (Source Safe, VC++, etc).

3. Uncheck registration and complete the setup.

4. Run VB (should run fine).

Note: VB should run fine, but in some cases may need the vb6.exe set with compatibility settings on:

path: c:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\VB98\vb6.exe

R-click > Properties > Compatibility and check the following:

Run in Windows XP mode
Disable Visual Thems
Disable Desktop Composition
Disable display scalling on high DPI settings

5. Install VB 6.0 SP6 if needed (there should be no issues and previous SPs are not needed).

Note: MDAC 2.5 are NOT needed for Windows Vista and later.

credits: Ask the FortyPoundHead