Microsoft announces deprecation of VBScript in Windows

On October 10th, Microsoft relegated VBScript to the Windows Client Deprecated Features list, a catalog of functions that will no longer undergo development and may be phased out in forthcoming updates.

Introduced in August 1996, VBScript (Visual Basic Script) is a scripting language devised by Microsoft, primarily tailored for automating repetitive tasks within the Windows operating system. However, with the advent of more robust tools like PowerShell, the relevance and utility of VBScript have steadily diminished.

According to official Microsoft documentation, in future iterations of Windows, before its potential removal from the OS, VBScript will be made available as an “on-demand feature”. Such features, known as Feature on Demand (FOD), represent optional functionalities within the Windows OS – examples include .NET Framework, Hyper-V, and the Windows Subsystem. These are not installed by default but can be integrated as per specific requirements.

“VBScript is being deprecated. In future releases of Windows, VBScript will be available as a feature on demand before its removal from the operating system. For more information, see Resources for deprecated features,”  the company wrote.

A conceivable reason for phasing out VBScript might be Microsoft’s heightened focus on security. Given the susceptibility of VBScript to malicious exploitation, discontinuing its use could mitigate potential security threats. Concurrently, the decline of VBScript might have ramifications for tools and applications that rely on it; existing scripts could face limitations or might not operate seamlessly. Microsoft, therefore, advises developers and clients to transition to more contemporary and secure scripting languages to cater to their needs.