his is somewhat related to a similar post, but that post was Visual Studio 6 in general and a lot of the suggestions didn't apply to Visual Basic 6.0.
Suggest or vote for tools/tips. Please one tool/tip per post so that everyone can vote on them individually. Include a brief description of what the tools do.
Answers
Here are some tools and tips specifically tailored for working with Visual Basic 6.0 on modern 64-bit Windows systems. Each suggestion is presented separately for clarity and voting:
1. VB6 Installer and Fixes
Tool: VB6 Installer for Windows 10/11
Description: This tool and guide help you install the VB6 IDE on modern Windows systems, including fixes for common installation issues and tweaks to ensure smoother operation. It addresses compatibility problems and includes necessary files and scripts.
2. Compatibility Mode and Administrative Privileges
Tip: Run vb6.exe in Compatibility Mode for Windows XP SP3 and as an Administrator.
Description: Right-click vb6.exe, go to Properties > Compatibility, check "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" and "Run this program as an administrator." This helps resolve various compatibility issues.
3. Virtual Machine Setup
Tool: Oracle VM VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player
Description: Set up a virtual machine with a 32-bit version of Windows (e.g., Windows XP or Windows 7). This isolated environment can run VB6 natively without the compatibility issues encountered on a 64-bit host system.
4. OCX/DLL Registration Tool
Tool: Regsvr32 Tool
Description: Use the regsvr32 command-line tool to manually register ActiveX controls (OCX files) and DLLs required by your VB6 projects. Ensure these components are registered in the correct directories (e.g., C:\Windows\SysWOW64 for 32-bit components).
5. Code Migration and Modernization Tool
Tool: VB Migration Partner
Description: A commercial tool designed to assist in migrating VB6 applications to .NET. It automates much of the conversion process, preserving the original application's logic and structure while making it compatible with modern development environments.
6. IDE Performance Enhancement
Tip: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Description: Improve the performance of the VB6 IDE by disabling hardware acceleration. Go to the Display Settings on your PC, navigate to the Troubleshooting tab, and reduce or disable hardware acceleration. This can help avoid screen flickering and rendering issues.
7. Alternative IDE
Tool: WinForms for Visual Studio
Description: For new development or gradual migration, consider using WinForms in Visual Studio. It's a modern alternative to VB6, offering robust support, modern features, and a similar approach to developing desktop applications.
8. Community Support and Resources
Tool: VBForums
Description: Join VBForums, a community of VB6 developers where you can ask questions, share solutions, and find resources related to VB6 development and troubleshooting on modern systems.
9. API Viewer for VB6
Tool: API Viewer 2004
Description: A utility that helps you find and implement Windows API calls in your VB6 applications. It includes a comprehensive database of API functions, constants, and structures, and it's useful for updating declarations and ensuring compatibility with 64-bit systems.
10. Backup and Version Control
Tool: Git for Windows
Description: Use Git for version control of your VB6 projects. This allows you to track changes, collaborate with team members, and maintain backups of your code. Tools like GitHub or GitLab can host your repositories and provide additional collaboration features.
Feel free to vote on these suggestions based on their relevance and usefulness for your VB6 development needs on 64-bit Windows systems.
