Updated 1 November 2026VB6PDF encryption

This Visual Basic 6 example uses late binding, so the project compiles even before the component is referenced. At runtime, the PDF Encrypt ActiveX DLL must be installed and registered on the machine.

The sample loads a PDF, reports whether it is already encrypted, applies a permission mask and saves a protected copy.

Before you start

  1. Install the trial build on the development machine.
  2. Paste the sample into a form with a command button.
  3. Call SetLicenseKey() with your key, or use the placeholder during evaluation.
  4. Check the return values after Encrypt() and handle the already-encrypted case.

Complete example

VB6
Private Sub Command1_Click()
    Dim obj As Object
    Dim iRtn As Long
    Dim iPermissions As Long

    Set obj = CreateObject("PDFEncryptX.EncryptLib")    'Create object

    obj.SetLicenseKey ("License Code")                  'Set your license key

    iRtn = obj.LoadFromFile(".\PDFEncryptX.pdf", "")    'Load PDF file
    'iRtn =  1: loaded successful
    'iRtn =  0: Load Failed;
    'iRtn = -1: File not exist

    'if load file successful, then get relational property.
    If iRtn = 1 Then
        If obj.IsEncrypted = 1 Then     'Encrypted PDF ?
            Text1.Text = "YES"
        Else
            Text1.Text = "NO"
        End If

        Text2.Text = obj.PageCount      'Page count of PDF

        Text3.Text = obj.FileSize       'File size of PDF
    End If

    'Create Permissions: Can not to print, copy and edit.
    iPermissions = obj.CreatePermissions(0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)

    'Call encrypt method
    iRtn = obj.Encrypt(".\PDFEncryptX_CanNot_Print_Copy_Edit.pdf", 2, iPermissions, "", "")
    If iRtn = 0 Then
        Text4.Text = "0->Encrypt failed"
    ElseIf iRtn = 1 Then
        Text4.Text = "1->Encrypt successful"
    ElseIf iRtn = 2 Then
        Text4.Text = "2->Ignore - file already encrypted"
    End If

    Set obj = Nothing
End Sub

How it works

  • Late binding (CreateObject) avoids a reference to the type library.
  • Use Set obj = Nothing to release the COM object when finished.
  • For 64-bit processes, install and register the 64-bit build.
During evaluation, leave the placeholder license key in place. After purchase, replace it with the key from your email.