Windows script files commonly use specific file extensions to indicate the scripting language and format. Based on the provided information, Windows script files usually have one of the following file name extensions: .wsf, .vbs, .js.
These extensions help the Windows operating system and associated scripting hosts (wscript.exe or cscript.exe) identify how to execute the script.
Common Windows Script File Extensions
While other scripting options exist on Windows (like PowerShell's .ps1), the reference specifically highlights the extensions used with the classic Windows Script Host (WSH).
Here's a breakdown of the common extensions mentioned:
| Extension | Description | Typical Scripting Language Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
.wsf |
Windows Script File | Can contain VBScript or JScript | An XML-based format allowing multiple script blocks and settings. |
.vbs |
VBScript File | VBScript | Contains code written in the VBScript language. |
.js |
JScript File | JScript | Contains code written in the JScript language (Microsoft's JScript). |
According to the reference data from 22-May-2023, these three extensions (.wsf, .vbs, .js) are the typical file name extensions for Windows script files.
Understanding Windows Scripting
Windows Script Host (WSH) is a technology developed by Microsoft that provides scripting capabilities for Windows. It's designed to automate various tasks on the Windows operating system. Scripts written for WSH can interact with the operating system, file system, network, and other components using COM objects.
- VBScript (.vbs): A scripting language derived from Visual Basic. It's widely used for automating tasks and system administration on Windows.
- JScript (.js): Microsoft's dialect of the ECMAScript standard, similar to JavaScript. It can also be used for scripting within WSH, often for client-side scripting in web pages but also for server-side and administrative tasks with WSH.
- Windows Script File (.wsf): This is a more advanced XML-based format that can embed scripts written in different languages (like VBScript and JScript) within the same file. It allows for better organization, inclusion of external files, and argument handling.
When you double-click a file with one of these extensions, Windows typically executes it using the default script host (wscript.exe for graphical output or cscript.exe for console output). You can also explicitly run them from the command line using cscript or wscript.
