Run Windows Script Host

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To run Windows Script Host

Click the task that you want to perform.

  • To start a script so that it runs in a Windows environment

  • To start a script so that it runs in a command-line environment

To start a script so that it runs in a Windows environment

  1. Open Command Prompt.

  2. Type: wscript[ScriptName] [//B] [//D] [//E:Engine] [//H:CScript | //H:WScript] [//I] [//Job:Identifier] [//Logo | //NoLogo] [//S] [//T:Number] [//X] [//?] [ScriptArguments]

Parameters

  • 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: Engine
    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
    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.
  • //?
    Displays available command parameters and provides help for using them.
  • ScriptArguments
    Specifies the arguments passed to the script. Each script argument must be preceded by a slash (/).

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, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, 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 Related Topics for more information.

  • Windows Script Host can use .wsf script files. Each .wsf file can use multiple scripting engines and perform multiple jobs.

To start a script so that it runs in a command-line environment

  1. Open Command Prompt.

  2. Type: cscript[ScriptName] [//B] [//D] [//E:Engine] [//H:CScript | //H:WScript] [//I] [//Job:Identifier] [//Logo | //NoLogo] [//S] [//T:Number] [//X] [//U] [//?] [ScriptArguments]

Parameters

  • 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: Engine
    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
    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.
  • //U
    Specifies Unicode for input and output that is redirected from the console.
  • //X
    Starts the script in the debugger.
  • //?
    Displays available command parameters and provides help for using them. This is the same as typing Cscript.exe with no parameters and no script.
  • ScriptArguments
    Specifies the arguments passed to the script. Each script argument must be preceded by a slash (/).

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, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, 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, Cscript.exe displays the Cscript.exe syntax and the valid host options.

  • The //T parameter prevents excessive running of scripts by setting a timer. When the run time exceeds the specified value, CScript interrupts the script engine and ends the process.

  • Windows script files usually have one of the following file name extensions: .wsf, .vbs, .js.

  • You can set properties for individual scripts. See Related Topics for more information.

  • Windows Script Host can use .wsf script files. Each .wsf file can use multiple scripting engines and perform multiple jobs.

  • 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 Related Topics for more information.

  • Windows Script Host can use .wsf script files. Each .wsf file can use multiple scripting engines and perform multiple jobs.

Formatting legend

Format Meaning

Italic

Information that the user must supply

Bold

Elements that the user must type exactly as shown

Ellipsis (...)

Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line

Between brackets ([])

Optional items

Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd}

Set of choices from which the user must choose only one

Courier font

Code or program output

See Also

Concepts

Windows Script Host overview
Command-line reference