[Fix] VBScript Files Open With Notepad

When you try to run a VBScript by double-clicking it, the script may open in Notepad. This happens if the user has set Notepad as the default (instead of wscript.exe) program for .vbs files, using Open with or through any other methods..

[Fix] VBScript Files Open With Notepad

Running VBScript manually

To run the script, you may use one of these two Windows Script Host executables.

• CScript.exe (Console-based Scripting Host)
• WScript.exe (Windows-based Scripting Host)

Whether you use WScript or CScript, you still run the scripts in the same manner. The difference is only in the output — WScript generates windowed output, while CScript sends its output to the command window in which it was started. (REF: Running Scripts from Windows)

To run a VBScript file using CScript.exe, use the following command-line syntax:

cscript.exe "drive:\path\filename.vbs"

To run a VBScript file using WScript.exe, use the following command-line syntax:

wscript.exe "drive:\path\filename.vbs"

Fix the Default “Open” Action for VBScripts

To reset the default action for .vbs file types so that double-clicking executes the file instead of opening it in Notepad, use these steps:

Download vbsfix.zip and save to Desktop. Unzip and run the enclosed REG file vbsfix_vista.reg by double-clicking it. Click Yes when asked for confirmation.

This changes the default action for .vbs files associating them with Windows Scripting Host executable.