Pop Up: Windows Based Script Host

Question

At random invervals a Windows pop up window displays this message (in my language Swedish):

How do you want to open this type of file (.js)

Microsoft Windows Based Script Host

(and also displays alternative applications (Notepad among them).

If I click the application name above, the pop up window disappears and nothing else happens.

If I click beside the pop up window the nothing else happens.

If I don't click at all the pop up window stays on the screen.

I can't detect other events.

Can I get rid of this pop up in any way? What is wrong?

Answer 1

Hi Tommy,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand that you are receiving Windows based script host errors and I will be happy to answer your query. Let me ask you;

1. What is the exact and complete error message?
2. Do you remember making any specific change in the computer prior to the issue?

While you revert with answer to questions asked, I would recommend you to perform clean boot to avoid any third party software conflict.

Placing your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. You need to follow the steps from the article mentioned below to perform a Clean Boot.

**How to perform a clean boot in Windows**     

Note: Refer "How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting" to reset the computer to start as normal after troubleshooting.

If the issue still persists, I would request you to revert with answers to questions asked. Also, I would also request you to add a screenshot of the error, we'll be happy to assist you further.

Answer 2

Thanks for the answer (I have difficulties getting back to my support questions because of complicated or non intuitive website layout, that's why I've been long before reacting).

I hoped for an explanation of what was happening, since the message clearly talks of a Windows process.

The exact and complete error message is as above, but in Swedish, with the alternative "Microsoft Windows Based Script Host" prechosen. The other alternatives are a range of applications like NotePad, Nero Essentials and what not, that I have installed.

Now I have followed the instructions concerning clean install. For about ten minutes the pop up hasn't materialized. However I don't have a clue as to which application might have been the culplrit. Should I go through the cumbersome task of activating one startup process on at a time to find out which one that caused my problem? You haven't said anything about "what next".

Or should I keep the start up processes unactivated from now on?

I have gotten rid of a couple of Apple addons that I don't remember ever installing, and for a while I have had their music application iTunes proposing updates. I uninstalled that one, but that did not help the pop up issue. Did they come with some "free" addon?

Best wishes,

Tommy

Answer 3

Hi Tommy.

Thank you for your update on the issue.

The suggested steps were to clean boot the system and not to clean install. If you want, I would explain the steps to eliminate the faulty service causing the issue. The steps are as detailed below:

Step 1: a) Press the ‘Windows + R’ key on the keyboard.

b) In the ‘Run’ windows type ’MSCONFIG’ and click ‘Ok’.

c) Click the ‘Boot’ tab and uncheck ‘Safe Boot’ option.

d) On the ‘General’ tab, click to select the option ‘Selective startup’, and then click to clear the option Load startup items check box.

e) On the ‘Services’ tab, click to select the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ check box, and then click ‘Disable all’.

f) On the ‘StartUp’ tab, click ‘**Open Task Manager’.**In the Task Manager window under startup tab, right click on each startup item which are enabled and select ‘Disable’.

g) Click ‘OK’, and then click Restart.

Step 2: Enable half of the services a. Follow steps 1a and 1b to start the System Configuration utility.

b. Click the Services tab, and then click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box.

c. Click to select half of the check boxes in the Service list.

d. Click OK, and then click Restart.

**Step 3: Determine whether the problem returns.**If the problem still occurs, repeat step 1 and step 2. In step 2, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Service list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat step 1 and step 2. In step 2, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one service is selected in the Service list, and you still experience the problem, the selected service causes the problem. Go to step 6. If no service causes this problem, go to step 4.

Step 4: Enable half of the Startup itemsIf no startup item causes this problem, a Microsoft service most likely causes the problem. To determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat step 1 and step 2 without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in either step.

Step 5: Determine whether the problem returnsIf the problem still occurs, repeat step 1 and step 4. In step 4, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Startup Item list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat step 1 and step 4. In step 4, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one startup item is selected in the Startup Item list, and you still experience the problem, the startup item that is selected in the list is the service that is causing the problem. Go to step 6.

If no startup item causes this problem, a Microsoft service most likely causes the problem. To determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat step 1 and step 2 without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in either step.

Step 6: Resolve the problem.****After you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System Configuration utility, and then click to clear the check box for the problem item.

Step 7: Note: After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to boot to normal startup.

a) Press the ‘Windows + R’ key on the keyboard.

b) In the ‘Run’ windows type ’MSCONFIG’ and click ‘Ok’.

c) On the ‘General’ tab, click the ‘Normal Startup’ option, and then click ‘OK’.

d) When you are prompted to restart the computer, click ‘Restart’.

Hope the information is helpful. Please post back your results for further assistance.

Answer 4

Does your problem look like this: ?

I use Windows 10 now, but my problem started in times of Windows 8.1. and did not disappear with upgrade. I noticed among scheduled tasks two with names Run_dregol and Dregol cide, and came to conclusion that adware named Dregol is the cause of my troubles. I searched my PC for all files and folders whose name includes "dregol" and found Run_dregol in C:\Windows\Tasks, in C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming, and in C:\Program Files (x86). So, I deleted them. I haven't seen this pop up ever since.

Later I noticed that Dregol is still listed among installed programs, so, just in case, I uninstalled it using CCleaner, free version. Probably, could have used standard system tool.