Does Windows 8.1 support installation of Visual Studio 6.0 (Visual Basic 6)?

Question

I have an old project developed in Visual Basic 6, in which I need to do an enhancement.

I need to confirm whether I can install Visual Studio 6 on Windows 8.1.

Last time, when I installed it in Windows 7, I faced difficulties in installation, but finally made it through after adding some DLL's.

I don't want to waste time, so, if anyone have already managed to install it, could you please share with us?

Solution 1

While you can run VB6 in Windows 8.1 it's not going to do well and there will be any number of issues.

The sensible way to use VB6 in Windows 8 is to create a Virtual Machine using Hyper-V Manager, install Windows XP*, Visual Studio 6, MZ-Tools, and any other support software. Remote desktop to your virtual machine and you're good to go.

Also, when windows 9, 10 and 11 arrive, your virtual machine can be transferred over to them or to a new PC all without breaking your VB6 development environment.

*Or Windows 7 32 bit if you have to but XP is better for VB6

Solution 2

If you need to install it WITH DAC, then run the installer as administrator. Select DAC, the installer will crash at the end. End Task on installer in Task manager. Rerun installation with ONLY core language files (VB6 and/or VC++ etc.) installation will complete successfully. Run installer for SP6 as administrator.

Comments

[Jack Siro]

No need for a virtual machine. It works even on windows 10