Introduction to VBA Project Password Removal

Microsoft Excel’s Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) allows developers to create and manage complex projects, including macros and custom user interfaces. To protect these projects from unauthorized access or modification, VBA provides a password protection feature. However, in some cases, the password may be lost or forgotten, making it difficult to access or update the project.

This tutorial will guide you through the process of removing VBA project password protection using a combination of VBA code and Windows API functions. Please note that this method only works for Excel versions up to 2016 (32-bit) and may not work for newer versions or 64-bit systems.

Understanding the Password Protection Mechanism

When a VBA project is protected with a password, Excel creates a dialog box that prompts the user to enter the correct password. If the user enters an incorrect password or cancels the dialog box, the project remains locked. The password protection mechanism relies on a system function called DialogBoxParamA, which is responsible for displaying the password dialog box and verifying the entered password.

The approach used in this tutorial involves hooking into the DialogBoxParamA function and replacing it with a custom implementation that always returns a success code, effectively bypassing the password protection.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create a New Excel File

Create a new Excel file (e.g., example.xlsm) to serve as a container for the VBA code.

Step 2: Add the VBA Code

Open the Visual Basic Editor in Excel by pressing Alt + F11 or navigating to Developer > Visual Basic. In the Editor, insert a new module by clicking Insert > Module.

Paste the following VBA code into the module:

Option Explicit

Private Const PAGE_EXECUTE_READWRITE = &H40

Private Declare Sub MoveMemory Lib "kernel32" Alias "RtlMoveMemory" _
    (Destination As Long, Source As Long, ByVal Length As Long)

Private Declare Function VirtualProtect Lib "kernel32" (lpAddress As Long, _
    ByVal dwSize As Long, ByVal flNewProtect As Long, lpflOldProtect As Long) As Long

Private Declare Function GetModuleHandleA Lib "kernel32" (ByVal lpModuleName As String) As Long

Private Declare Function GetProcAddress Lib "kernel32" (ByVal hModule As Long, _
    ByVal lpProcName As String) As Long

Private Declare Function DialogBoxParam Lib "user32" Alias "DialogBoxParamA" (ByVal hInstance As Long, _
    ByVal pTemplateName As Long, ByVal hWndParent As Long, _
    ByVal lpDialogFunc As Long, ByVal dwInitParam As Long) As Integer

Dim HookBytes(0 To 5) As Byte
Dim OriginBytes(0 To 5) As Byte
Dim pFunc As Long
Dim Flag As Boolean

Private Function GetPtr(ByVal Value As Long) As Long
    GetPtr = Value
End Function

Public Sub RecoverBytes()
    If Flag Then MoveMemory ByVal pFunc, ByVal VarPtr(OriginBytes(0)), 6
End Sub

Public Function Hook() As Boolean
    Dim TmpBytes(0 To 5) As Byte
    Dim p As Long
    Dim OriginProtect As Long
    
    Hook = False
    
    pFunc = GetProcAddress(GetModuleHandleA("user32.dll"), "DialogBoxParamA")
    
    If VirtualProtect(ByVal pFunc, 6, PAGE_EXECUTE_READWRITE, OriginProtect) <> 0 Then
        
        MoveMemory ByVal VarPtr(TmpBytes(0)), ByVal pFunc, 6
        If TmpBytes(0) <> &H68 Then
            
            MoveMemory ByVal VarPtr(OriginBytes(0)), ByVal pFunc, 6

            p = GetPtr(AddressOf MyDialogBoxParam)

            HookBytes(0) = &H68
            MoveMemory ByVal VarPtr(HookBytes(1)), ByVal VarPtr(p), 4
            HookBytes(5) = &HC3

            MoveMemory ByVal pFunc, ByVal VarPtr(HookBytes(0)), 6
            Flag = True
            Hook = True
        End If
    End If
End Function

Private Function MyDialogBoxParam(ByVal hInstance As Long, _
    ByVal pTemplateName As Long, ByVal hWndParent As Long, _
    ByVal lpDialogFunc As Long, ByVal dwInitParam As Long) As Integer
    
    If pTemplateName = 4070 Then
        MyDialogBoxParam = 1
    Else
        RecoverBytes
        MyDialogBoxParam = DialogBoxParam(hInstance, pTemplateName, _
                   hWndParent, lpDialogFunc, dwInitParam)
        Hook
    End If
End Function

Step 3: Add the Unprotect Subroutine

Insert a new module or use an existing one and paste the following VBA code:

Sub unprotected()
    If Hook Then
        MsgBox "VBA Project is unprotected!", vbInformation, "*****"
    End If
End Sub

Step 4: Run the Code

Run the unprotected subroutine by clicking Developer > Macros or pressing Alt + F8. Select the unprotected macro and click Run.

If the code runs successfully, you should see a message box indicating that the VBA project is now unprotected.

Step 5: Open the Protected Project

Open the Excel file containing the protected VBA project. You should now be able to access the project without entering a password.

Important Notes

This method only works for Excel versions up to 2016 (32-bit) and may not work for newer versions or 64-bit systems.
Be cautious when using this approach, as it bypasses the password protection mechanism. Make sure you have permission to access the protected project.
Always save your work before attempting to remove password protection.

Conclusion

Removing VBA project password protection can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and code, it is possible to bypass the password protection mechanism. This tutorial has provided a step-by-step guide on how to use VBA code and Windows API functions to remove password protection from Excel VBA projects.

Removing VBA Project Password Protection