Microsoft Plans to Phase Out VBScript in Future Windows Releases

In a silent but significant move, Microsoft has revealed its intentions to phase out VBScript from future versions of Windows. The company has yet to provide a detailed timeframe for this transition, but it has shed some light on the process it will follow during this technological shift. 

Microsoft's plan involves a phased withdrawal of VBScript, also known as Visual Basic Scripting Edition. Initially, this scripting language was removed from Internet Explorer. The next step in this process is to make VBScript an optional component before it is eventually removed from Windows entirely. VBScript was a handy scripting language in its time, but it has become a security concern due to its misuse, leading to its replacement with PowerShell.

This decision is yet another addition to the growing list of tools and features Microsoft has decided to retire. Other tools that have recently been discontinued include TLS 1.0 and 1.1, WordPad, and the digital assistant Cortana. The retirement of these tools and options might inconvenience some users, but Microsoft's justification for such actions is that newer and more efficient alternatives are being introduced.

As part of its support documentation on deprecated features, Microsoft has clarified that VBScript will be available as a feature on-demand before its eventual retirement. To ensure a smooth transition, the VBScript feature-on-demand will be preinstalled, giving users uninterrupted use as they adjust to the upcoming changes. 

The decision to phase out VBScript might not have a significant impact, as many administrators have already moved away from it. However, the move towards safer and more feature-rich alternatives is a sensible decision. It underlines Microsoft's commitment to maintaining a secure and efficient environment for its users, even if it means saying goodbye to some once-loved tools and features.