VB Runtime Not in Next Windows

The planned follow-on release to Windows Vista, code-named Windows 7, will not include the Visual Basic 6.0 (VB 6) runtime libraries, Microsoft has begun informing customers. This sets a timeframe for the final end of support for the runtime.

VB 6 had two parts: a development environment used by programmers to create applications, and a runtime that executes the applications. Even though the VB 6 development environment left Extended support on April 8, 2008, because the runtime ships with several Microsoft OSs, including Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, support for the runtime has continued, following the same schedule as the underlying OSs.

Removing the VB 6 runtime from Windows 7 means Microsoft will not provide support for VB 6 applications running on Windows 7 or future versions of Windows, although developers or customers might be able to download the runtime and use it (at their own risk) in the next versions of Windows. Windows 7 has not been formally announced but is not likely to appear before 2010. The VB 6 runtime will have full (Mainstream) support at least until Apr. 2012 on Windows Vista, and until July 2013 on Windows Server 2008.