If you have msbcode9.ocx from an old Office installation, you can try registering it (requires admin rights):
# For 32-bit Windows or 32-bit Office on 64-bit Windows:
regsvr32 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\msbcode9.ocx
If you cannot find the control in the list, there are two common reasons:
In the world of legacy enterprise software, few components have caused as much confusion as the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX. For decades, developers using Microsoft Access, Visual Basic 6.0, Excel VBA, and older Windows Forms applications have relied on this control to generate Code 39, Code 128, and UPC barcodes without writing complex algorithms from scratch.
However, if you have landed on this article searching for a direct Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download, you have likely encountered a frustrating reality: Microsoft no longer offers this control as a standalone, public download. Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Activex Download
This article will explain exactly what the control is, why it is so difficult to find, how to legally obtain it, step-by-step installation instructions, common errors, and—most importantly—modern alternatives for barcode generation.
It is crucial to note that Microsoft does not provide Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 as a standalone public download. Because it is intellectual property bundled with the Office suite, you cannot legally or safely download the individual .ocx file (typically named MSCOMCT2.OCX or similar depending on the specific barcode library version) from third-party "DLL download" sites. Downloading ActiveX controls from unverified sources poses a significant security risk.
Instead, the control is installed automatically when you install Microsoft Office Professional Plus or specific Retail versions that include Access. If you have msbcode9
The Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX component (MSBCODE9.OCX) that allows developers to embed barcode generation capabilities into Windows applications. Version 16.0 corresponds to the Office 2010 era, though the technology dates back to Office 2003.
Key Features:
Why the version matters: Version 16.0 is typically the last version that works reliably on 32-bit systems (though it can function on 64-bit systems with careful configuration). Later Office versions (2013, 2016, 2019, 365) no longer include this control by default. It is crucial to note that Microsoft does
The Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX control included with Microsoft Office (specifically Access and Excel). It allows developers and power users to generate barcodes (such as Code 39, Code 128, and UPC) directly within their documents, forms, and reports without requiring third-party fonts.
Historically, this control was widely used in Access databases for inventory management and asset tracking. However, with the transition to modern Office versions, many users find the control missing or non-functional.
If you are using a version of Office that does not include this control (such as a standard Microsoft 365 subscription), the "download" approach is not viable. Instead, consider these modern alternatives: