Windows Script Host (WSH) is a Windows that allows you to run scripts written in VBScript or JavaScript . These scripts can be used to automate tasks, modify system settings, or launch applications. However, WSH can also be exploited by malware that attempts to infect your computer or encrypt your files. Therefore, it is recommended to disable WSH if you don't need it or if you are unsure of its purpose.
In this article, we will explain how to enable or disable WSH on Windows 10, 8 and 7, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this operation.
What is Windows Script Host?
Windows Script Host (WSH) is an interface that allows you to run scripts written in VBScript or JavaScript on Windows. These scripts are usually stored in files with the .vbs or .js extension, but they can also be embedded in Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, etc.) or in web pages.
WSH offers the ability to manipulate operating system objects, such as the registry, files, folders, processes, and services. It also provides access to COM (Component Object Model) components, which are reusable and interoperable software modules.
WSH can be used to automate repetitive tasks, modify system settings, or launch applications. For example, you can create a script that cleans your hard drive, changes your wallpaper, or opens your preferred web browser.
How do I enable or disable Windows Script Host?
There are several methods to enable or disable WSH on Windows. We will present the two simplest: modifying the registry and using antivirus software.
Edit the registry
The registry is a database that contains the settings for the system and applications installed on Windows. It is possible to modify the registry to enable or disable WSH.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu and type regedit in the search bar. Click on the regedit.exe program icon that appears.
- In the registry window, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows Script Host\Settings
- In the right pane, double-click the value named Enabled. If it doesn't exist, right-click an empty space and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it Enabled.
- In the dialog box that opens, modify the value data as desired:
- To activate WSH, type 1 and click OK.
- To disable WSH, type 0 and click OK.
Close the registry window and restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Use antivirus software
Another way to enable or disable WSH is to use antivirus software that offers this option. For example, you can use Smadav, a free and lightweight antivirus that protects your PC against USB viruses and malicious scripts. You can temporarily disable Windows Defender if there is a conflict between the two programs.
To enable or disable WSH with Smadav, follow these steps:
- Download and install Smadav on your PC from the official website: https://smadav.net/
- Open Smadav and click on the Smadav icon in the taskbar.
- Select Allow Windows-Script & Office-Macro (Until Restart) to enable WSH. Uncheck this box to disable WSH.
- Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of enabling or disabling Windows Script Host?
Enabling or disabling WSH has advantages and disadvantages depending on how you use your PC. Here is a summary of the main points to consider:
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
| Enable WSH | – Allows you to run useful scripts to automate tasks, modify system settings or launch applications. |
| Disable WSH | – Protects your PC against malware that exploits WSH to infect your computer or encrypt your files. |
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Windows Script Host:
Why disable Windows Script Host?
- WSH can be useful for some advanced users, but it can also pose a security risk to your computer.
- WSH can be exploited by malicious programs that seek to infect your PC or encrypt your files.
- These malicious programs can appear as email attachments, infected Office documents, or compromised web pages. They can also be hidden in compressed files (zip, rar, etc.) or on USB drives.
- If you open these files carelessly, you risk running a malicious script that will modify your registry, disable your antivirus, download other malware, or even encrypt your personal data.
- It is recommended to disable WSH if you don't need it or if you don't know what you're doing. This will prevent your PC from being compromised by a malicious script.
How can you tell if a script is malicious?
There is no foolproof way to detect a malicious script, but you can apply some precautionary rules:
- Do not open attachments in emails from unknown or suspicious senders.
- Do not open Office documents that contain macros without checking their source and content.
- Do not visit web pages that display alerts or error messages asking you to run a script.
- Do not plug in USB drives whose origin or contents you do not know.
- Scan your PC regularly with up-to-date antivirus software.
How do I remove a malicious script that has infected my PC?
If you suspect your PC has been infected by a malicious script, you must act quickly to limit the damage. Here are some steps to follow:
- Disconnect your PC from the internet and any local network.
- Disable WSH by following the methods described above.
- Run a full scan of your PC with up-to-date antivirus software. If possible, use an antivirus that can detect and remove malicious scripts, such as Smadav.
- Restore your files from a recent backup if you have one. Otherwise, try using data recovery software, such as Recuva.
- Change all your passwords and check your online accounts for any suspicious activity.
How do I create my own scripts with Windows Script Host?
If you want to create your own scripts with WSH, you need to have knowledge of VBScript or JavaScript, as well as Windowsprogramming.
- To create a script with WSH, you need to create a text file with the extension .vbs or .js, depending on the language you are using. You can use any text editor, such as Notepad or Notepad++.
- In the text file, you must write your script code, respecting the syntax and rules of your chosen language. You can use comments to explain how your script works or to omit certain lines of code.
- To run your script, you must double-click the file or drag and drop it onto the WSH icon. You can also use the wscript.exe or cscript.exe command in the command prompt.
To debug your script, you can use statements like MsgBox or WScript.Echo to display messages on the screen or in the console. You can also use a text editor that offers debugging features, such as Visual Studio Code, which can help you fix error 0xc000007b on Windows .
Here is an example of a VBScript script that displays “Hello world!” in a dialog box:
'This is an Option Explicit comment' Forces variable declaration Dim message 'Declares a variable message = "Hello world!" 'Assigns a value to the variable MsgBox message 'Displays the variable's value in a dialog box
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Here is an example of a JavaScript script that displays “Hello world!” in the console:
// This is a comment var message; // Declares a variable message = "Hello world!"; // Assigns a value to the variable WScript.Echo(message); // Displays the value of the variable in the console
Conclusion
Windows Script Host is a Windows feature that allows you to run scripts written in VBScript or JavaScript. These scripts can be useful for automating tasks, modifying system settings, or launching applications. However, they can also be dangerous if you open files containing malicious scripts that attempt to infect your PC or encrypt your files.
Therefore, it is recommended to disable WSH if you don't need it or if you don't know what you're doing. You can enable or disable WSH by modifying the registry or using antivirus software such as Smadav.
If you want to create your own scripts with WSH, you need knowledge of VBScript or JavaScript, as well as Windowsprogramming. You must create a text file with the .vbs or .js extension and write your script's code in it. You can then run, debug, and test your script with WSH.
We hope this article helped you understand how to enable or disable WSH on your PC. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.
