The scripting language VBScript will disappear completely from Windows after 2027, Microsoft recently announced. The language is deemed too vulnerable to hacking attacks and has now also been surpassed by more powerful languages such as PowerShell and JavaScript. The phase-out will happen in multiple stages.
It is no big surprise that Windows will no longer support VBScript after 2027. Last October, the tech giant already announced its farewell to the scripting language for websites and web applications. Microsoft introduced VBScript in 1996 as part of Windows Scripts and is now replacing it with PowerShell.
VBScript too insecure
The main reason for phasing out the scripting language is that cybercriminals widely use VBScript to carry out attacks. In doing so, malicious VBScript files download malware onto affected systems.
In addition, new scripting languages such as JavaScript and PowerShell, despite also containing major vulnerabilities, are said to have more functionalities that are better suited for web and automation tasks than the old scripting language.
Three stages of saying goodbye
Microsoft recently announced that VBScript will be removed from Windows in three phases. In the first phase, which will begin in the second half of this year, VBScript will remain available as part of features on demand (FPSs) and will still be enabled by default in the upcoming Windows 11 version, Windows 11 24H2.
In 2027, VBScript will be disabled as FODs by default in Windows. Users must enable the language themselves if they still want to use it. The third phase is that subsequent Windows versions will no longer include the scripting language at all.
This final phase will result in all VBScript’s dll.libraries no longer working. Microsoft expects its end users to have all switched to alternatives by then. The tech giant advises users not to waste time in switching to PowerShell or JavaScript, depending on their needs.
Also read: Microsoft introduces Crescendo, a framework for PowerShell cmdlets