Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Activex Download Site

For older systems, installing Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable may restore the barcode control registry keys.

Despite the corporate-sounding name, Microsoft has never released a standalone "Barcode Control 16.0" as a public download.

The confusion stems from Microsoft Access 2016 (and later, Office 365). Version "16.0" refers to the Office object model version, not a standalone product lifecycle.

The control is an ActiveX OCX file (MSBCODE9.OCX or similar legacy variants) that allows developers to generate barcodes (usually Code 39, Code 128, or UPC-A) directly on a form or report without using third-party fonts.

Use a free or paid web API:

Function GetBarcode(data As String) As Byte()
    Dim http As Object: Set http = CreateObject("MSXML2.XMLHTTP")
    http.Open "GET", "https://barcode.tec-it.com/barcode.ashx?data=" & data, False
    http.send
    GetBarcode = http.responseBody
End Function

Then insert the image into your Access form or Excel sheet via Clipboard or LoadPicture.

Because Microsoft has not updated this specific ActiveX control for 64-bit architecture, you have two main options:

The hunt for a Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download is a dead end in 2026. Even if you find an obscure copy, you will inherit significant security, legal, and stability issues. Microsoft has made its position clear: ActiveX is being phased out, and the barcode control is unsupported legacy technology. Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Activex Download

Instead, invest your time in modern alternatives:

Your users need reliable, secure barcode generation. Do not jeopardize their systems with an unsupported, unmaintained control from a shady download site.

About the Author: This guide is maintained by systems integration specialists with 20+ years of experience in enterprise barcode solutions.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. No download links to unofficial or illegal copies of Microsoft software are provided. Always verify licenses and security compliance with your organization’s IT policies.

The IT Guy's Quest for the Elusive Barcode Control

It was a typical Monday morning at the office for John, the IT guy. He was sipping his coffee and checking his emails when he received a call from his boss, Mark.

"John, we need your help," Mark said. "Our inventory management system is down, and we can't seem to get the barcode scanning to work." Then insert the image into your Access form

John groaned inwardly. This was not how he wanted to start his day. He asked Mark for more details and found out that the system relied on an old ActiveX control, specifically the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0.

"I think we need to reinstall it," Mark said. "But I don't have the installation file. Can you find it and get it working?"

John nodded, even though Mark couldn't see him. He knew that finding the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download was not going to be easy. The control was old, and Microsoft had probably long since discontinued it.

John started his search by checking the Microsoft website, but it was nowhere to be found. He tried searching online, but most websites were either selling dodgy downloads or offering outdated versions.

Just when John was about to give up, he stumbled upon a forum post from someone who claimed to have the installation file. The post was from a user named " BarcodeBob" who seemed to be a fellow IT enthusiast.

John sent BarcodeBob a private message, and to his surprise, Bob replied with a link to the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download. John hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was safe to download from a random stranger, but his urgency got the better of him.

He downloaded the file, ran it, and... it worked! The barcode scanning feature was back online, and the inventory management system was humming along again. Because Microsoft has not updated this specific ActiveX

Mark was thrilled, and John was hailed as a hero. As it turned out, BarcodeBob was a reputable source, and the download was legit.

From that day on, John made sure to bookmark the link to the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download, just in case he needed it again. And he made a mental note to always keep an eye out for BarcodeBob, the mysterious IT savior who had saved the day.

The end.

No. Microsoft does not offer a standalone, public download for "Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0" (MSBARCODE.OCX). This file is only installed as part of the Microsoft Office 2016 (or later) Access suite or as part of the Microsoft Access Database Engine redistributable.

If you have Microsoft Office installed, the control is likely already on your system, but it may not be activated by default. Here is how to verify its availability and "download" it into your project:

For Microsoft Access:

For Microsoft Excel:

No. Office 365 (32-bit or 64-bit) does not include the control. Attempting to register it will likely break or fail due to missing registry entries.