FILE FORMAT GUIDE
VBScript File (.VBS): Meaning & Safe Handling
A VBS file is conventionally a text script for the VBScript engine. Windows Script Host can execute it through WScript or CScript, so opening an untrusted file by association can run code.
Check supported header evidence locally. Identification is not file validation or a malware scan.
Analyze a file locallyQuick facts
- Extension
- .vbs
- Format
- VBScript File
- Category
- system
- MIME type
- Not reviewed
- Standard / developer
- Microsoft
- Open with
- no reviewed opener
What is VBS?
VBScript source can automate operating-system tasks and create COM objects. The extension is not a safe-document label; inspect as text without executing and do not double-click unknown scripts.
- Automate Windows tasks through VBScript and Windows Script Host
How to open VBS
No named opener is asserted. Inspect only as inert text in a controlled workflow; do not execute scripts or follow shortcut targets.
Technical details
- Signature
- Not reviewed
- Encoding
- Text; encoding depends on the script source
- Container
- Not reviewed
- Compression
- Not reviewed
Things to check
- Running a script can invoke operating-system and COM capabilities with the current user’s permissions.
Sources & review
Fact review: 2026-09-19. Unknown fields are not inferred from the file extension.