What is an ActiveX Control?
An ActiveX control is a small program or reusable software component developed using Microsoft’s Component Object Model (COM) technology. These controls are often embedded in applications or web pages (especially in Internet Explorer) to provide interactive features and functionality.
They are commonly used in:
- Web pages to create dynamic content
- Microsoft Office applications for custom forms or automation
- Windows desktop applications for added UI components or system interaction
Common Uses of ActiveX Controls
- Adding custom forms and controls in Microsoft Office (like a calendar picker)
- Embedding video or media players in web pages
- Uploading files through web-based interfaces
- Accessing hardware devices such as scanners or printers from within an application
Examples of ActiveX Controls
- A custom date picker in an Excel spreadsheet
- A Flash player embedded in a web page
- A file browser or upload tool in a legacy web application
Security Concerns
ActiveX controls execute with the same permissions as the user. This power means they can access the local file system, registry, and network—posing a significant security risk if misused.
Due to these concerns:
- Many controls are now blocked by default in Internet Explorer
- Most modern browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge) no longer support ActiveX
Related Technologies
- COM (Component Object Model): The underlying architecture behind ActiveX
- OLE (Object Linking and Embedding): Lets documents contain interactive objects from other applications
- .NET Controls: A more modern and secure way to create user interface components