VBScript to Be Deprecated: What Developers Need to Know

Microsoft plans to phase out support for VBScript in future versions of Windows after 30 years of use, making it an on-demand feature before removing it from Windows systems.

VBScript (Visual Basic Script or Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition) is a programming language similar to Visual Basic or Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), which was introduced almost 30 years ago, in August 1996.

VBScript is included with Internet Explorer (which has been deprecated in some versions of Windows 10), integrates active execution into the Windows environment, and interacts with host applications through Windows Script.

Microsoft clarified that VBScript is becoming obsolete, so in future versions of Windows, VBScript will be available as an on-demand feature to ensure uninterrupted use in preparation for VBScript’s retirement.

Features on Demand (FOD) are additional Windows features, such as the .NET Framework (.NetFx3), Hyper-V, and Windows Subsystem for Linux, that are not installed by default, but can be added as needed.

Download FOD features in Windows 11

While Microsoft’s decision has not been officially explained, it could be due to the end of support for Internet Explorer this year. Fortunately, removing VBScript from Windows means removing one of the most common infection vectors used by attackers to deliver malicious payloads to Windows systems.