16.0 Activex Download Verified: Microsoft Barcode Control

Understanding and Installing Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0

In the landscape of business automation and inventory management, barcodes remain the universal standard for data tracking. For developers and power users working within the Microsoft Office ecosystem—specifically in Access databases and Excel spreadsheets—the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is a legacy tool designed to generate barcodes dynamically without the need for external fonts or third-party software.

If you are looking for a "download" for this specific ActiveX control, it is important to understand its distribution method and how to properly implement it.

Where to get it

Prefer official sources: Microsoft Download Center or official Microsoft support pages. Search Microsoft’s site for “Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0” or “BarCode Control 16.0 ActiveX”.
If Microsoft does not provide a direct download, obtain the control from:
- Official Microsoft update packages (Office feature packs or redistributables),
- Trusted enterprise repositories (your organization’s software catalog),
- Well-known third-party vendors that provide barcode ActiveX components (if you need additional barcode symbologies or support).

Do not download COM/ActiveX binaries from untrusted file-sharing sites.

Legal Ways to Obtain Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0

If you have a legitimate need for this specific control (e.g., maintaining a legacy VB6 or Access 2010 application), here are your only legal options:

5. REST API Approach (Modern Web + VBA)

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.

Where to Download the Control

In most cases, you do not need to download a separate "installer" file from the internet. The Barcode Control is bundled within the Microsoft Office installation media.

Conclusion: Stop Searching for a Direct Download

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.

Instead, invest your time in modern alternatives:

For maintaining legacy Access 2010 apps: Use your original Office media.
For new VBA/Access projects: Use Zint via COM or a simple font solution.
For enterprise .NET apps: Use BarcodeLib.
For web or cross-platform: Use a REST API.

Your users need reliable, secure barcode generation. Do not jeopardize their systems with an unsupported, unmaintained control from a shady download site. Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Activex Download

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.

Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is not a standalone product available for individual download; rather, it is a built-in component included with specific versions of Microsoft Office, such as Microsoft 365 and Access. Microsoft Learn How to Access the Control

If you already have a version of Office that includes the control, you can activate it directly within your application: Enable the Developer Tab File > Options > Customize Ribbon and check the Insert the Control In Excel or Word, go to the Developer tab in the Controls group, and select More Controls (the wrench/screwdriver icon). Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 in the list and click Draw the Barcode

: Click and drag on your document or sheet to create the barcode object. Configure Properties : Right-click the control while in Design Mode and select Properties to change the symbology (e.g., Code 39, QR Code, EAN-128). Microsoft Support Important Limitations & Troubleshooting Availability

: Some versions of Excel 2016 and standalone Office installations may not include this control. It was historically tied to SharePoint Server barcode policies which were discontinued after SharePoint 2013. Security Settings : Since this is an ActiveX control, you must enable ActiveX settings Trust Center for it to function. Static Nature

: QR codes and barcodes generated this way are static, meaning they do not expire and can be scanned indefinitely as long as the underlying data is valid. Microsoft Learn Third-Party Alternatives

If your version of Office lacks the 16.0 control, you may need a third-party add-in or standalone ActiveX control. Reliable vendors include:

Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX component integrated into Microsoft Office (Excel and Access) rather than a standalone file available for direct download. It allows users to generate and print barcodes directly within Office documents by linking barcode objects to specific data fields. How to Access Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Understanding and Installing Microsoft Barcode Control 16

Since this tool is built into Microsoft 365 and Office 2016/2019/2021, you do not need to find an external .exe or .ocx file. You can enable it through the following steps:

Enable the Developer Tab: If you don't see the "Developer" tab in your Ribbon, right-click any tab, select Customize the Ribbon, and check the Developer box. Insert the Control: Go to the Developer tab.

In the Controls group, click Insert and then select More Controls (the icon with a hammer and wrench).

Scroll down the list to find Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0.

Place the Object: Select it and click on your worksheet or report to draw the barcode area. Downloading for Non-Office Users

If the control is missing because you do not have a full Office license, it is often included in the Microsoft Access Runtime. Installing the runtime can sometimes register the necessary ActiveX components on your system:

The Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is not available as a standalone download. It is a built-in component of specific Microsoft Access and Excel versions, and its availability depends on your Microsoft Office installation. How to Access Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0

If it is installed on your system, you can find it using these steps: Open Excel or Access.

Go to the Developer tab. (If you don't see it, right-click the ribbon, select Customize the Ribbon, and check the Developer box). Official Microsoft update packages (Office feature packs or

Click Insert and then click the More Controls icon (the screwdriver and wrench) under ActiveX Controls.

Scroll through the list to find Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0. Troubleshooting Missing Control

If the control is missing from your list, consider the following:

Office Version: The control was previously tied to SharePoint Server features and has been discontinued in some newer retail versions of Office.

Access Runtime: Sometimes, installing the Microsoft Access Runtime can restore missing shared ActiveX components, though this is not a guaranteed fix for the Barcode Control specifically.

Repairs: Try running an Office Repair from your Windows Settings to restore missing registry entries or files. Third-Party Alternatives

Because the Microsoft control is increasingly unsupported, many developers use more reliable third-party ActiveX controls or fonts:

TEC-IT Barcode Studio: Offers a widely used ActiveX/OCX control compatible with Excel and Access.

IDAutomation ActiveX: Provides barcode components that do not require fonts.

BarCodeWiz: Features an add-in specifically for MS Office that supports 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Option 2: Use Microsoft Access 2010 Developer Extensions

If you are a developer distributing Access Runtime applications, the developer extensions include the barcode control redistributables (subject to license terms).

2. .NET Solution: BarcodeLib (by Brad Barnhill)

NuGet package: Barnhill.BarcodeLib
Supports: 30+ symbologies, including GS1-128, DataMatrix, QR Code.
Usage: Works in WinForms, WPF, ASP.NET.