Solved: How to fix vbscript not running on windows 10

If you have ever tried to run a VBS script on Windows 10, you may have encountered a problem where the script does not execute or shows an error message. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on VBS scripts for automation, testing, or other purposes. In this article, we will explain why this problem occurs and how to fix it in a few simple steps.

What is VBS Script and Why Use It?

VBS stands for Visual Basic Script, which is a scripting language based on Visual Basic. It is mainly used for creating dynamic web pages, but it can also be used for various tasks on Windows, such as creating shortcuts, modifying registry entries, sending keystrokes, and more.

VBS scripts are text files with the .vbs extension that contain commands and instructions for the Windows Script Host (WSH) engine to execute. You can run VBS scripts by double-clicking them, using the command prompt, or scheduling them with the Task Scheduler.

VBS scripts are useful for automating repetitive or complex tasks, customizing your Windows environment, or performing various functions that are not available in the graphical user interface (GUI).

Why VBS Script Won’t Run on Windows 10?

There are several possible reasons why your VBS script won’t run on Windows 10. Some of the most common ones are:

• The file association for .vbs files is broken or missing. This means that Windows does not know which program to use to open and run your VBS script. This can happen due to malware infection, registry corruption, or accidental deletion of the file association.
• The script is blocked by Windows security features. Windows 10 has several built-in security features that prevent potentially harmful scripts from running without your permission. These include User Account Control (UAC), Windows Defender SmartScreen, and Controlled Folder Access. These features may block your script if they detect it as suspicious or malicious.
• The script contains errors or syntax issues. If your script has any typos, missing quotes, incorrect variables, or other mistakes, it may fail to run or produce unexpected results. You should always check your script for errors before running it and use a text editor that supports syntax highlighting and error checking for VBS scripts.
• The script requires elevated privileges or administrator rights. Some scripts may need to access system files, registry keys, or other resources that are protected by Windows. To run these scripts, you need to have administrator rights on your computer or use the “run as administrator” option when launching them.

How to Fix VBS Script Not Running on Windows 10?

Depending on the cause of the problem, there are different solutions you can try to fix your VBS script not running on Windows 10. Here are some of the most effective ones:

Solution 1: Restore the File Association for .vbs Files

If the file association for .vbs files is broken or missing, you need to restore it so that Windows can recognize and run your VBS script. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard.

Step 2: Click on Apps and then select Default apps from the left sidebar.

Step 3: Scroll down and click on Choose default apps by file type.

Step 4: Find the .vbs file type and click on the current default app (or Choose a default if none is set).

Step 5: Select Microsoft Windows Based Script Host from the list of available apps.

Alternatively, you can also use the Registry Editor to restore the file association for .vbs files. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type regedit and click OK to open the Registry Editor.

Step 3: Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.vbs

Step 4: Double-click on the (Default) value and make sure its data is set to VBSFile. If not, change it accordingly and click OK.

Step 5: Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VBSFile\Shell\Open\Command

Step 6: Double-click on the (Default) value and make sure its data is set to “%SystemRoot%\System32\WScript.exe” “%1” %*. If not, change it accordingly and click OK.

Step 7: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Solution 2: Unblock Your Script from Windows Security Features

If your script is blocked by Windows security features, you need to unblock it so that it can run without any interference. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate your VBS script file in File Explorer and right-click on it.

Step 2: Select Properties from the context menu.

Step 3: In the General tab, look for a checkbox that says Unblock at the bottom. If you see it, check it and click OK.

Step 4: If you don’t see the Unblock checkbox, go to the Security tab and click on Advanced.

Step 5: Click on Disable inheritance and select Convert inherited permissions into explicit permissions on this object.

Step 6: Select your username from the list of permission entries and click on Edit.

Step 7: Check the box that says Full control and click OK.

Step 8: Click Apply and OK to close the Advanced Security Settings window.

Step 9: Click OK to close the Properties window.

Solution 3: Check Your Script for Errors or Syntax Issues

If your script contains errors or syntax issues, you need to fix them so that it can run correctly. To do this, you can use a text editor that supports syntax highlighting and error checking for VBS scripts, such as Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, or Sublime Text. Alternatively, you can also use an online tool such as VBScript Editor to check and debug your script.

Solution 4: Run Your Script as Administrator

If your script requires elevated privileges or administrator rights, you need to run it as administrator so that it can access the necessary resources. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate your VBS script file in File Explorer and right-click on it.

Step 2: Select Run as administrator from the context menu.

Step 3: If prompted by UAC, click Yes to allow the script to run.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions and answers related to VBS scripts and Windows 10.

Question: How do I create a VBS script?

Answer: To create a VBS script, you need a text editor that can save files with the .vbs extension. You can use any text editor, such as Notepad, but it is recommended to use one that supports syntax highlighting and error checking for VBS scripts, such as Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, or Sublime Text. To create a VBS script, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open your text editor and type your script commands and instructions. You can use VBScript Reference to learn more about the syntax and functions of VBS scripts.

Step 2: Save your file with the .vbs extension. For example, test.vbs.

Step 3: Run your script by double-clicking it, using the command prompt, or scheduling it with the Task Scheduler.

Question: How do I edit a VBS script?

Answer: To edit a VBS script, you need a text editor that can open and save files with the .vbs extension. You can use any text editor, such as Notepad, but it is recommended to use one that supports syntax highlighting and error checking for VBS scripts, such as Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, or Sublime Text. To edit a VBS script, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open your text editor and open the VBS script file you want to edit.

Step 2: Make the necessary changes to your script commands and instructions. You can use VBScript Reference to learn more about the syntax and functions of VBS scripts.

Step 3: Save your file with the .vbs extension. For example, test.vbs.

Step 4: Run your script by double-clicking it, using the command prompt, or scheduling it with the Task Scheduler.

Question: How do I delete a VBS script?

Answer: To delete a VBS script, you need to locate the file in File Explorer and delete it like any other file. To delete a VBS script, follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate your VBS script file in File Explorer and right-click on it.

Step 2: Select Delete from the context menu.

Step 3: If prompted by Windows, click Yes to confirm the deletion.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author and publisher are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions or recommendations in this article. Always backup your data and test your scripts before running them on your system. Use VBS scripts at your own risk.