Windows 11 Is Phasing Out VBScript Faster Than Expected: Here's What You Can Do About It

If your enterprise still runs on scripts from the '90s, it's time for a coffee and a reality check.

Microsoft is shifting gears on its deprecation of VBScript, and not slowly, either. Originally set to ride off into the digital sunset by 2027, VBScript is now facing deactivation by default in Windows 11 versions potentially as early as this year.

This move may feel sudden, but the writing’s been on the wall since VBScript was officially declared deprecated in October 2023. What’s changed? Apparently, Microsoft is pushing the accelerator due to growing security concerns and pushing IT teams to act now.

What’s Happening?

Here’s the new timeline in a nutshell:

• May 2023: Microsoft announces plans to deprecate VBScript.
  
  
• October 2023: VBScript is formally deprecated.
  
  
• 2024-2025: Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 may have VBScript disabled by default, even though it remains a Feature on Demand (FOD) for now.

If your organization hasn’t audited its use of VBScript yet, now’s the time. Microsoft is even offering a guide for detection and mitigation to help you find VBScript dependencies in your systems.

Why This Matters for Legacy Applications

Let’s face it: VBScript hasn’t been sexy in a long time. It was once a go-to for task automation, system maintenance, and the odd logon script particularly in domains where sysadmins thrived on simple, repeatable commands.

But while most modern environments have embraced PowerShell, Python, or other secure scripting languages, some legacy systems (and especially older web apps and MSI installers) still rely on .vbs files.

If your legacy app stack includes:

• Logon scripts using VBScript
• Custom-built administrative tools from the early 2000s
• Older MSI packages with embedded VBS logic
• Intranet applications with client-side VBS

…you’re officially on borrowed time.

How to Identify VBScript Usage

Microsoft suggests four practical methods to audit your systems:

1. Use Sysmon to monitor script execution and identify where VBScript is triggered.
2. Scan for .VBS files across endpoints and servers.
3. Review application dependencies, especially in software that hasn’t been touched in a decade.
4. Analyze custom MSI packages that might include VBS logic in the background.

Here's an article that explains how to use those 4 strategies in depth.

Once you’ve found your dependencies, you can proactively disable VBScript via DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tools and begin migrating to more modern alternatives.

What Should You Do Instead?

If you still depend on VBScript, Microsoft has one clear recommendation: PowerShell.

PowerShell is secure, well-documented, cloud-ready, and integrates seamlessly with modern Windows ecosystems and Azure services. Other strong candidates include:

• Python – Great for cross-platform scripting and automation
• JavaScript – Especially for web-based automation
• Bash – For mixed Windows/Linux environments

For enterprises still relying on legacy VBScript apps, a structured modernization initiative is your best bet. Now is the time to act, before a routine OS update breaks something critical.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft is giving VBScript the boot earlier than expected, and that’s not a bad thing, but it is a wake-up call.

If you're running a legacy application that uses VBScript under the hood, this is your cue to assess the risk, plan your migration, and ensure your environment is ready. We’re here to help if you need guidance modernizing your application stack or scripting infrastructure.

In tech, obsolescence is inevitable. But with the right strategy, disruption doesn’t have to be.