Is Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) End of Life? Status Guide
Question details
The user is inquiring whether Microsoft has announced an official end-of-life (EOL) date for the ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) library.
- Product
- Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects (ADO)
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Planning long-term software maintenance, application compatibility, or database connection architecture.
- Observed behavior
- Uncertainty regarding the continued support and lifecycle of ADO, specific versions like 6.0 or 6.1, and its standing compared to ADO.NET.
Before making architectural decisions for your database connections, verify the specific version of the Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library (such as 6.0 or 6.1) that your legacy application currently utilizes.
Review the Official Lifecycle Status for Microsoft ADO
Understand the current support status for ADO and how to proceed with modern database environments.
As per current Microsoft documentation, there is no official end-of-life date published for the ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) library.
ADO remains a supported programming model used alongside OLE DB providers to connect legacy and modern applications to SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and other relational databases. While Microsoft continues to support it, modern development largely utilizes ADO.NET.
Navigate to your system's system32 or SysWOW64 folder and check the file properties of 'msado15.dll' to confirm whether your environment is running version 6.0 or 6.1 of the library.
If you require definitive lifecycle information for enterprise compliance, check the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy website or contact Microsoft Support directly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest version of the Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library?
The most recent commonly referenced versions are ADO 6.0 and 6.1. The core DLL file associated with these versions is typically named 'msado15.dll', regardless of the version number.
What is the difference between ADO and ADO.NET?
ADO is an older COM-based technology used primarily with OLE DB for data access in C++ or Visual Basic. ADO.NET is its successor, designed specifically for the .NET framework featuring a disconnected data architecture.
Can I still use ADO to connect to Azure SQL Database?
Yes, Microsoft documentation confirms that ADO is still used with OLE DB providers to successfully connect applications to modern databases, including SQL Server and Azure SQL Database.
