Wscript
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8
Windows Script Host provides an environment in which users can execute scripts in a variety of languages, languages that use a variety of object models to perform tasks.
Syntax
wscript[<scriptname>] [/b] [/d] [/e:<engine>] [{/h:cscript|/h:wscript}] [/i] [/job:<identifier>] [{/logo|/nologo}] [/s] [/t:<number>] [/x] [/?] [<ScriptArguments>]
Parameters
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
ScriptName |
Specifies the path and file name of the script file. |
/b |
Specifies batch mode, which does not display alerts, scripting errors, or input prompts. |
/d |
Starts the debugger. |
/e |
Specifies the engine that is used to run the script. |
/h:cscript |
Registers cscript.exe as the default script host for running scripts. |
/h:wscript |
Default. Registers wscript.exe as the default script host for running scripts. This is the default. |
/i |
Specifies interactive mode, which displays alerts, scripting errors, and input prompts. This is the default and the opposite of /b. |
/job:<identifier> |
Runs the job identified by identifier in a .wsf script file. |
/logo |
Specifies that the Windows Script Host banner is displayed in the console before the script runs. This is the default and the opposite of /nologo. |
/nologo |
Specifies that the Windows Script Host banner is not displayed before the script runs. |
/s |
Saves the current command-prompt options for the current user. |
/t:<number> |
Specifies the maximum time the script can run (in seconds). You can specify up to 32,767 seconds. The default is no time limit. |
/x |
Starts the script in the debugger. |
ScriptArguments |
Specifies the arguments passed to the script. Each script argument must be preceded by a slash (/). |
/? |
Displays Help at the command prompt. |
Remarks
Performing this task does not require you to have administrative credentials. Therefore, as a security best practice, consider performing this task as a user without administrative credentials.
To open a command prompt, on the Start screen, type cmd, and then click command prompt.
Each parameter is optional; however, you cannot specify script arguments without specifying a script. If you do not specify a script or any script arguments, wscript.exe displays the Windows Script Host Settings dialog box, which you can use to set global scripting properties for all scripts that wscript.exe runs on the local computer.
The /t parameter prevents excessive running of scripts by setting a timer. When the time exceeds the specified value, wscript interrupts the script engine and ends the process.
Windows script files usually have one of the following file name extensions: .wsf, .vbs, .js.
If you double-click a script file with an extension that has no association, the Open With dialog box appears. Select wscript or cscript, and then select Always use this program to open this file type. This registers wscript.exe or cscript as the default script host for files of this file type.
You can set properties for individual scripts. See Windows Script Host overview for more information.
Windows Script Host can use .wsf script files. Each .wsf file can use multiple scripting engines and perform multiple jobs.