Here is the critical truth: Microsoft has never released the Barcode Control as a standalone, redistributable installer. It was included exclusively as part of:
When you search for a direct download link from microsoft.com, you will find only support articles or broken links. Microsoft’s official stance is that ActiveX controls are deprecated due to severe security vulnerabilities (buffer overflows, unsafe initialization, and memory corruption risks).
Result: Any website offering a direct "Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download" as an isolated .exe or .ocx file is either: Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Activex Download
Use a free or paid web API:
Function GetBarcode(data As String) As Byte()
Dim http As Object: Set http = CreateObject("MSXML2.XMLHTTP")
http.Open "GET", "https://barcode.tec-it.com/barcode.ashx?data=" & data, False
http.send
GetBarcode = http.responseBody
End Function
Then insert the image into your Access form or Excel sheet via Clipboard or LoadPicture. Here is the critical truth: Microsoft has never
Because Microsoft has not updated this specific ActiveX control for 64-bit architecture, you have two main options:
Upgrade your forms to use Microsoft Access's native Barcode Control (discontinued in newer versions) or switch to a third-party ActiveX replacement like Keystone Barcode or TBarCode OCX (paid, supported). When you search for a direct download link from microsoft
Since ActiveX is dying, use these cross-platform replacements:
| Alternative | Type | Environment |
|-------------|------|-------------|
| ZXing (.NET) | Library | WinForms, WPF, ASP.NET |
| Barcode fonts + Font control | Simple text | Any dev environment |
| JavaScript barcode generators (JsBarcode) | Web-based | Modern web apps |
| TBarCode SDK | Commercial SDK | Office, Reporting, .NET |