eliminating script host error.

Question

At start-up I always get a file pull up of SCRIPT Host. How do you eliminate from the files?

Answer 1

Hi Thomas Kruse,

I’m sorry to hear you’re seeing an annoying Script Host every time you turn on the PC. The Q&A Assist has already covered the main locations where scripts start from, so I wonder if you tried out its suggestions yet?

If the popup keeps appearing even after checking Run keys and Startup folders, consider sharing a few more details so I can provide more suitable suggestions! Here are my questions to narrow down the causes of it:

1 - Task Scheduler

• Press Win + R > type taskschd.msc > Look under Task Scheduler Library
• Check for tasks points to a missing or unwanted script > Disable / Delete that task

2 - Let me know if you can see a file path or an error message from the script

• That path tells you exactly what Windows is trying to run.
• Once you know the path, you can:
• Remove the startup reference (preferred), or
• If it’s harmless but broken, delete the leftover reference

If you see the exact Script Host error text or file path, you can paste it here and I’ll be able to help you further!

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Answer 2

The Script Host window at startup is usually caused by a script (VBS/JS) being launched automatically from the registry or a startup location. To stop it, remove the script entry from where it is being started.

Use these steps that match common causes from the provided information:

1. Check the Run key in the registry
   1. Press Win+R, type regedit, and select OK.
   2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   3. In the right pane, look for any entry that runs wscript.exe, cscript.exe, or a .vbs / .js file (for example, something like wscript.exe "C:\...\script.vbs").
   4. If such an entry is clearly related to the unwanted Script Host popup, right‑click that value and select Delete.
   5. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.
2. Check the Winlogon Userinit value (if a folder or script opens at logon)
   1. Press Win+R, type regedit, and select OK.
   2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
   3. In the right pane, find the Userinit value.
   4. It must be exactly: C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe, (including the trailing comma).
   5. If it is different or has extra paths/scripts, right‑click Userinit, select Modify, and change it to: C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,
   6. Select OK, close Registry Editor, and restart the computer.
3. Check Startup folders
   1. Open File Explorer and check:
      • %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
      • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
   2. Delete any unexpected .vbs, .js, or shortcut that launches Script Host.

After these steps, the Script Host window should no longer appear at startup.

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References:

• My Documents open at startup
• Using COM Objects in Windows Script Host
• How to use Windows Script Host scripts as CGI scripts
• The Wscript.exe or Cscript.exe process stops when WSH 5.8 exits on a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2
• "An error has occurred in the script on this page" script error when launching Microsoft Dynamics GP