VB6 Migration to a Future-Proof Environment
Mission-critical applications based on Classic Visual Basic — VB6 or even VB5 — present many organizations with a strategic challenge. Microsoft has not supported the VB6 development environment since 2008, and operating these applications on current Windows platforms is becoming increasingly difficult.
At the same time, these applications represent substantial business value. They contain business logic, established processes, and specialist knowledge developed over many years or even decades — knowledge that would have to be reconstructed during a complete rewrite.
fecher’s VB6 migration service uses a highly automated process to transform your existing source code into a modern, future-ready .NET environment. Targeted AI-assisted processes support the project where they add value, while a fixed-price offer provides cost certainty. Existing functionality is preserved as the application is converted to current technology through a structured VB6 conversion process—with significantly lower risk than a complete rewrite.
VB6 Migration to C# or VB.NET at a Glance
- VB6 applications are automatically migrated to modern .NET using either C# or VB.NET.
- Existing business logic and functionality are preserved while the codebase and, where required, the user interface are modernized.
- AI-assisted analysis, automation, testing, and quality assurance support an efficient and controlled VB6 conversion process.
- The migrated application can be maintained and enhanced in the current Visual Studio development environment and can run in modern 32-bit and 64-bit environments.
- Depending on the target architecture, the application can be developed into a browser-based solution using Wisej.NET or Blazor Server.
The .NET environment provides so many new options which we will now use to quickly implement our new ideas.
VB6 Migration Instead of a Complete Rewrite
A complete rewrite may appear attractive, particularly with modern AI tools that can accelerate development and generate substantial amounts of new code. In practice, however, rebuilding a mission-critical application often involves considerable risks:
- Existing business logic must be fully understood and implemented again.
- Implicit specialist knowledge, exceptions, and established processes must be reconstructed.
- Testing and validation require significantly more effort.
- Projects may take longer than initially planned.
The value of a VB6 application lies not only in its source code, but also in the rules, processes, and experience it has accumulated over many years. A controlled transformation preserves this value while moving the application to a modern technological foundation.
Additional Features
- Integrated, AI-assisted assessment of application complexity and relevant metrics
- Support for third-party controls
- Central management of project-specific mapping rules
- Multi-stage transformation for a clearly structured target architecture
- Automated compilation for rapid verification of intermediate results
Results
- Conversion of existing VB6 code to C# or VB.NET
- Desktop applications based on WinForms
- Browser-based applications using modern web technologies
- Preservation or modernization of design and functionality, depending on the project goals
- Delivery as modern, readable source code
Costs
- Migration costs depend primarily on the number of lines of code, the controls used, and the selected target architecture
- Training, workshops, and ongoing support can also be included
Modernizing VB6 Applications with Our Proven Migration Process
Like all fecher migration projects, a VB6 migration follows a proven process with a flexible level of service. In an All-inclusive project, fecher manages the complete migration and delivers the application ready for acceptance testing. In an In-house project, your development team can take over selected finalization activities, supported by training and coaching from our migration specialists.
The process is divided into evaluation, migration, and completion phases. Before implementation begins, we analyze the existing application, define the target architecture and project model, and prepare a reliable fixed-price proposal. AI-assisted analysis, automation, testing, and quality assurance support the process where they provide concrete value—for example, when analyzing complex code structures, identifying recurring patterns, refining transformation rules, and stabilizing the migrated application.
Information: Reference examples illustrate how a VB6 migration project works in practice. We answer initial questions in a personal meeting or online demonstration and advise you on target technologies, migration approaches, and deployment options.
Free Analysis: Our assessment tool analyzes the source code and categorizes the required migration tasks according to their complexity. This allows us to estimate the effort, schedule, and project costs with a variance of approximately 10 to 20 percent. The Free Analysis is provided at no charge.
Detailed Analysis: We examine all application modules for potential issues and dependencies. You receive a results report, a project-specific schedule, and a fixed-price proposal for the VB6 migration.
Project Setup: Based on the analysis results, we agree on the detailed schedule and project approach. Together, we define the target structure of the application modules, components, and overall solution.
Code Transformation: We process all modules using our automated migration tools and transform the existing VB6 code into C# or VB.NET. Where necessary, we adapt the source code, tools, and transformation rules to the project requirements. AI-assisted procedures can help identify recurring patterns and make the transformation more efficient.
Code Finalization: The generated code is systematically reviewed and adapted to the new environment. Automated analysis and testing help identify remaining issues. Depending on the project model, required custom controls and final adjustments are implemented by our specialists or by your development team.
User Acceptance Testing: The customer validates the migrated application based on its business processes and requirements. With the All-inclusive model, identified issues are resolved by our migration specialists. With the In-house model, your developers carry out selected corrections with support from fecher.
Training and Coaching: Our experts introduce your development team to the migrated application, the technologies used, and the relevant class libraries. Additional training and ongoing support can be provided as required.
Further Development: The migrated application provides a sustainable foundation for further development in Visual Studio and the .NET ecosystem. New functionality and web, cloud, or mobile extensions can be added gradually. Depending on the target strategy, the application can also be developed into a browser-based solution using Wisej.NET or Blazor Server.
Success Story: IC programming platform migrated from VB6 to C# - Application modernization project by fecher generates added value for Data I/O and their worldwide electronics manufacturing clients
VB6 Migration Targets and Modernization Options
Depending on your existing application and project goals, we define the appropriate migration target. The application can be converted into a modern desktop solution or migrated to the web using either Wisej.NET or Blazor Server. UI/UX modernization can be included as part of any of these migration paths.
- Classic VB6 Conversion. We convert your existing VB6 application into a modern Visual Studio solution using C# or VB.NET. Business logic, functionality, and application structures are preserved as far as possible.
- Web Migration with Wisej.NET. Wisej.NET is suitable when the application is to be transformed into a browser-based solution with maximum reuse of existing business logic, application structures, and familiar interaction patterns.
- Modern Web Architecture with Blazor Server. Blazor Server is suitable when the user interface and interaction logic are to be redesigned more extensively using a modern, component-based web architecture.
- Optional UI/UX Modernization. The user interface can be modernized visually and functionally as part of the selected migration path. This may include updated layouts, modern controls, and new navigation concepts.
Our VB6 Migration Tool: vbPORTER
Based on many years of experience in application modernization, fecher developed vbPORTER, its proprietary tool for automated VB6 conversion.
The vbPORTER analyzes the structure of the existing application and applies project-specific transformation rules to recurring code patterns, controls, and properties. It generates consistent C# or VB.NET code together with the corresponding Visual Studio projects. The tool supports both standard VB6 controls and third-party components. Where no direct equivalent is available in the target environment, suitable mappings or project-specific extensions can be defined.
AI-assisted analysis can complement the tool-supported migration process by identifying recurring patterns and dependencies, helping to refine transformation rules, and supporting testing and quality assurance.