How to embed VBS in C# and run it?

Question

I have a VBScript that's working fine. I have a C# program that can run the VBScript with the cscript program.

What I want to do is embed the VBS in a C# exe so it is one single file and be able to run the VBS file. Is there any way for me to pass the embedded VBScript file to cscript as an argument or some other way to run an embedded VBS file?

As MSScriptControl used in L.B.'s answer is only available in 32bit, the proper way to do it today, would probably be via IActiveScript. See stackoverflow.com/questions/7491868/… (c++ question, use e.g. CsWin32 to use the APIs via c#) and blog.magerquark.de/…. — T S
– T S, Commented Jun 2, 2024 at 15:33

L.B · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-25 22:23:31Z

7

Type scriptType = Type.GetTypeFromCLSID(Guid.Parse("0E59F1D5-1FBE-11D0-8FF2-00A0D10038BC"));

dynamic obj = Activator.CreateInstance(scriptType, false);
obj.Language = "vbscript";
string vbscript = "msgbox(\"test\")";
obj.Eval(vbscript);

answered Jul 25, 2012 at 22:23

L.B

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5 Comments

Cheeso Over a year ago

working example of a WinForms app that does this: cheeso.members.winisp.net/…

Jack Over a year ago

How am I supposed to format the syntax of the VBScript to make it work? The msgbox example works but I'm getting syntax error when trying to run my script with VBScript reserve words.

Dan W Over a year ago

@L.B This doesn't work: Wscript.Echo("hello"). Any idea why?

LesFerch Over a year ago

@DanW The answer to your question (11 years late) is that WScript.Echo is only available when the script is run via the WScript.exe or CScript.exe host. This also applies to other WScript commands, such as WScript.Sleep.

T S Over a year ago

For future reference as this answer still comes up when googling for this: To get proper types (and Autocompletion) in VisualStudio right click on Dependencies -> Add COM Reference -> Browse -> "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\msscript.ocx" -> OK. Then you can cast the result of Activator.CreateInstance(scriptType, false) to MSScriptControl.ScriptControl. Also note that the script control only exists in 32 bit version, so set Platfrom to x86 in Configuration Manager. - @L.B Feel free to add this to your answer.

Ted Spence · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-25 22:24:55Z

3

Another approach is that you can execute CSCRIPT.EXE via a sub process:

Process.Start("cscript.exe", "C:\\myscript.vbs");

However, keep in mind that .NET and C# is very compatible with VBS scripting. You might want to just rewrite the VBS code as a C# program directly.

answered Jul 25, 2012 at 22:24

Ted Spence

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6 Comments

Jack Over a year ago

How would that work with an embedded resource if there's no path? I'm using Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly() .GetManifestResourceStream("script.vbs"))

Paul Farry Over a year ago

extract your resource to a Temp File, execute CScript with the Temp File. Then delete the Temp file?

Jack Over a year ago

@PaulFarry Well obviously I could do that but I'm trying to find a way that does not expose the file.

Paul Farry Over a year ago

@Jack sorry, but it wasn't obvious. you didn't state it in your question or comment that this was something you tested.

Jack Over a year ago

@PaulFarry I already mentioned that I could run the file from the C# program. I said "What I want to do is embed the VBS in a C# exe so it is one single file and be able to run the VBS file." and "some other way to run an embedded VBS file?"

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