Running VB6 projects today requires overcoming several obstacles. The VB6 IDE runs only on 32-bit Windows, though it can be installed on 64-bit systems with compatibility adjustments. Modern antivirus software may flag VB6-generated executables as suspicious due to their outdated packing and common usage in malware—a complication for developers distributing source code alongside compiled binaries.

Furthermore, dependencies like Microsoft Common Controls (MSCOMCTL.OCX) and DataGrid controls are no longer natively present in Windows 10/11, necessitating careful redistribution. Complete projects must therefore include not only source code but also instructions for registering these dependencies. The most responsibly maintained VB6 projects provide setup scripts or manifest files that automate environment preparation.

Description: A functional media player using the Windows Media Player ActiveX control. Supports playlist creation and volume control.

Key Features:

Source Code Snippet (Play Selected Song):

' Requires: Microsoft Windows Media Player component (MSCOMCTL.OCX)
Private Sub lstPlaylist_Click()
    If lstPlaylist.ListIndex >= 0 Then
        wmpPlayer.URL = lstPlaylist.List(lstPlaylist.ListIndex)
        lblCurrentlyPlaying.Caption = "Now Playing: " & GetFileName(wmpPlayer.URL)
    End If
End Sub
Private Sub cmdPlay_Click()
wmpPlayer.Controls.Play
End Sub
Private Sub cmdVolume_Change()
wmpPlayer.settings.volume = sldVolume.Value
End Sub

Download: SimpleMP3_VB6.zip – No external DLLs required (uses built-in OCX).

Description: A multi-form database application for small retail shops. Manages products, suppliers, and stock levels. Uses ADO with MS Access or SQL Server.

Key Modules:

Source Code Snippet (Low Stock Alert):

Public Sub CheckLowStock()
    Dim rs As New ADODB.Recordset
    rs.Open "SELECT ProductName, Quantity FROM products WHERE Quantity < ReorderLevel", conn, adOpenForwardOnly, adLockReadOnly
If Not rs.EOF Then
    Dim msg As String
    msg = "The following products are running low:" & vbCrLf
    Do While Not rs.EOF
        msg = msg & rs!ProductName & " (Stock: " & rs!Quantity & ")" & vbCrLf
        rs.MoveNext
    Loop
    MsgBox msg, vbExclamation, "Inventory Alert"
End If

End Sub

Download: InventorySystem_VB6.zip – Includes database schema, reports using Data Report Designer.

Private Sub Command1_Click()
    On Error GoTo ErrHandler
    ' risky code here
    Exit Sub
ErrHandler:
    MsgBox "Error " & Err.Number & ": " & Err.Description, vbCritical
    Resume Next
End Sub

Before diving into projects, you need a working VB6 IDE. While Microsoft discontinued mainstream support, the development environment runs perfectly on Windows 10 and Windows 11 with minor tweaks.

Private Declare Function GetPrivateProfileString Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetPrivateProfileStringA" (ByVal lpApplicationName As String, ByVal lpKeyName As String, ByVal lpDefault As String, ByVal lpReturnedString As String, ByVal nSize As Long, ByVal lpFileName As String) As Long

Purpose: Allow drawing lines, rectangles, ellipses, freehand, with color selection.
Components:

Key Source Code (Mouse events):

Dim drawing As Boolean
Dim startX As Single, startY As Single
Private Sub picCanvas_MouseDown(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, X As Single, Y As Single)
drawing = True
startX = X: startY = Y
If optFreehand.Value = True Then
picCanvas.CurrentX = X
picCanvas.CurrentY = Y
End If
End Sub
Private Sub picCanvas_MouseMove(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, X As Single, Y As Single)
If drawing Then
If optFreehand.Value Then
picCanvas.Line -(X, Y), picForeColor
End If
End If
End Sub
Private Sub picCanvas_MouseUp(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, X As Single, Y As Single)
If drawing Then
Select Case True
Case optLine.Value: picCanvas.Line (startX, startY)-(X, Y), picForeColor
Case optRect.Value: picCanvas.Line (startX, startY)-(X, Y), picForeColor, B
Case optCircle.Value: picCanvas.Circle ((startX + X) / 2, (startY + Y) / 2), Abs((X - startX) / 2), picForeColor
End Select
drawing = False
End If
End Sub
Private Sub cmdColor_Click()
dlgColor.ShowColor
picForeColor = dlgColor.Color
End Sub