What is MIME type "text/x-vbscript"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type text/x-vbscript indicates that the file contains VBScript source code.
It is plain text meant for scripting environments. The code is executed by an interpreter such as the Windows Scripting Host or embedded in web pages for legacy Internet Explorer setups.
Files using this MIME type usually have the VBS extension.

Automation tasks – Automate system operations and administrative routines.
System management – Execute scripts for Windows management and configuration.
Legacy web scripting – Provide client-side functionalities in older web environments.

The language is lightweight and was popular for simple script-based tasks in Windows. Its structure is similar to Visual Basic, making it accessible for those familiar with that syntax. For more details, explore resources on MIME types and scripting with VBScript through external technical documentation.

Associated file extensions

.vbs

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: text/x-vbscript

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="text/x-vbscript">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/x-vbscript');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.vbs

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.