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What Is WSH?

• Article
• 10/24/2011

In this article

Windows Script Host (WSH) is a Windows administration tool.

WSH creates an environment for hosting scripts. That is, when a script arrives at your computer, WSH plays the part of the host — it makes objects and services available for the script and provides a set of guidelines within which the script is executed. Among other things, Windows Script Host manages security and invokes the appropriate script engine.

WSH is language-independent for WSH-compliant scripting engines. It brings simple, powerful, and flexible scripting to the Windows platform, allowing you to run scripts from both the Windows desktop and the command prompt.

Windows Script Host is ideal for noninteractive scripting needs, such as logon scripting, administrative scripting, and machine automation.

WSH Objects and Services

Windows Script Host provides several objects for direct manipulation of script execution, as well as helper functions for other actions. Using these objects and services, you can accomplish tasks such as the following:

• Print messages to the screen
• Run basic functions such as CreateObject and GetObject
• Map network drives
• Connect to printers
• Retrieve and modify environment variables
• Modify registry keys

Where Is WSH?

Windows Script Host is built into Microsoft Windows 98 and later versions of Microsoft Windows.

To upgrade to the latest version of Windows Script Host, search for "Windows Script Host" on the Microsoft Download Center.

You can determine your Windows Script Host version number by typing CScript at a command prompt.

See Also

Concepts

Windows Script Host Object Model

Reference

CreateObject Method

GetObject Method

Change History

Additional resources

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