I've got an internet app that uses java applets. For various reasons, I'm considering abandoning java applets for VB (I have no VB experience, yet).

Does the client PC need to have VB dll's installed to access an ActiveX control written in VB (I hope not!).

Also, I'd like the ActiveX components to automatically reload, each time they are executed so that the most current program version is picked-up. (It's okay if this makes the app run a little slower.) Is there a way to automatically force this? Also force it such that it won't show a dialog-box requiring user acceptance?

All VB relies on the VB runtime. But, that runtime is ubiquitous. I don't know if its the case, but it might even be that all Windows machines have at least one version of the runtime...

Again, I'm not sure, but I think you can establish an expiration of your objects. Of course, if that equals zero, they will reload every time. (Don't go by my say-so on thins; This is just to give you some directions in which to investigate.)