Actually, it is possible to pack script file to standalone "exe" for free in win 2k and above. The advantage is that the script remains hidden (however, it is not precise, while execution it is extracted to temporary directory and next deleted). Suppose a file "TestScript.vbs" was created. The procedure of conversion to 'exe':
1. from commandline run "iexpress" (no quotes, IExpress is windows packing wizard)
2. "Welcome to IExpress 2.0": choose 'Create new Self Extraction Directive file', >Next,
3. "Package purpose": tick 'extract files and run an installation command', >Next,
4. "Package title": write any, this will not be visible in proceeding as below, >Next,
5. "Confirmation promt": tick "no prompt", >Next,
6. "License agreement": tick "do not display a license", >Next,
7. "Packaged files": add script file ("TestScript.vbs"), >Next,
8. "Install program to launch": write (wscript.exe "chart.vbs") (no brackets), leave <None> for post install command, >Next,
9. "Show window": tick "hidden", >Next,
10. "Finished message": tick "no message", >Next,
11. "Package name and options": choose destination and name for 'exe' file, tick both options (hide extraction and long file names), >Next,
12. "Configure reboot": choose "no reboot", >Next,
13. "Save self exstraction directive": choose save for future editing, >Next,
14. "Create package": >Next, >Finish.
This procedure adds ca 63 kB of own code, but compress the script. The icon can be replaced by existing freeware programs, as 'Iconedit' by David Cornish.
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