VB6
VB6 is a legacy Microsoft programming environment for building Windows desktop applications, popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It provided a visual drag-and-drop way to design screens and a simple language for writing the logic. Many businesses created critical internal tools with it because it allowed rapid results with limited resources. While VB6 helped organisations digitise processes quickly in its time, it predates modern development practices, security expectations, and deployment models. Tooling and community support are now minimal, and running VB6 apps often requires older Windows environments or special compatibility layers.
Official WebsiteMigration Guidance
VB6 is long out of support. Migration reduces security risk, unlocks modern integrations, and makes it far easier to hire developers. A common path is to rebuild in .NET (e.g., WPF for desktop or a web app) with a phased approach: re-platform the highest-value modules first, run both systems in parallel, and retire VB6 progressively to minimise disruption.
When to use VB6
VB6 should be used only to keep an essential legacy application running until a replacement is delivered. It's not appropriate for new development and poses operational risks if left as-is without a succession plan.
Why choose VB6?
Historically, VB6 was chosen for its speed of development and low learning curve. Non-technical stakeholders could see working software quickly, which made it a favourite for internal tools and prototypes that later became business-critical.