Microsoft will gradually remove the VBScript scripting language from Windows in the coming years. The schedule does not yet specify a date for the final shutdown or removal from Windows. From around 2027, VBScript will no longer be installed together with Windows.
Visual Basic Scripting Edition, commonly referred to as VBScript, was introduced in 1996 and has been available as a Windows component since then. The software company justifies the abolition of the scripting language with the availability of more modern alternatives such as JavaScript and PowerShell.
Microsoft is currently planning to make VBScript an optional Windows feature with the introduction of Windows 11 version 24H2. It will continue to be installed ex works, but can be deactivated afterwards as a feature on demand. From around 2027, VBScript will no longer be part of the standard Windows installation, but will still be available as an optional feature for subsequent installation.
In a third phase, at the beginning of which Microsoft has not yet commented, VBScript will finally be removed from future versions of Windows. According to Microsoft, this also includes deleting all associated DLL libraries. The company assumes that all users will have switched to one of the suggested alternatives by then. Microsoft has further details on this in its Windows IT Pro Blog ready.