Properties of WS Files and How to Open a File with .ws Extension

WS files exist as 4 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Windows Script

General Information

Title	WS File Extension
Extension	.ws
Full Form	Windows Script File
File Type	Script File
Developer	Microsoft
MIME Type	text/plain

File Function

Primary Function	Automate tasks
Additional Functions	Interact with system, Control applications
Features	Scriptable, Extensible

File Characteristics

Quality	Text-based
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

System Administration	Yes
Automated Scripting	Yes
Batch Processing	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Malicious code, Script vulnerabilities
Best Practices	Disable WSH, Script signing

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	1998
Latest Version	WSH 5.8

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.vbs, .js, .vbe, .jse

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Microsoft Windows Script Host	Included	Windows
Notepad	Included	Windows
Any Text Editor	Free	Varied

Type 2: WonderSwan Game ROM

A WS file stores game data to be played on a WonderSwan emulator. The WonderSwan is a handheld game console released by Bandai in 1999. It competed with the Game Boy Color. Games include Buffers Evolu...

General Information

Title	WS File Extension
Extension	.ws
Full Form	WonderSwan Game ROM File
File Type	Game ROM File
Developer	Bandai
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store game data
Additional Functions	Emulation purposes
Features	Portable, Read-only

File Characteristics

Quality	Original quality
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	No

Use Cases

Game Emulation	Yes
Software Preservation	Yes
Retro Gaming	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Piracy concerns
Best Practices	Legal use, Virus scanning

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	1999
Discontinued	2003

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.gba, .nes, .sfc

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Mednafen	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
RetroArch	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux, Others
higan	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 3: 1-2-3 Word Search Maker Puzzle File

A .WS file stores data used for the 1-2-3 Word Search Maker. This application creates word search puzzles. The .WS file has a word list. It has the grid with words to find. The file shows the puzzle's...

General Information

Title	.WS File Extension
Extension	.ws
Full Form	1-2-3 Word Search Maker Puzzle File
File Type	Puzzle File
Developer	Variety Games Inc.
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store puzzle
Additional Functions	Save progress
Features	Customizable, Printable

File Characteristics

Quality	High readability
Supports Layers	No
Supports Transparency	No
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Education	Yes
Recreational	Yes
Publishing	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low risk
Best Practices	Regular updates

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Not widely documented
Latest Version	Not widely documented

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.puz, .xwd

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
1-2-3 Word Search Maker	Commercial	Windows

Type 4: Whitespace Source Code

These developers may save their Whitespace programs as WS files. You can open and edit a WS file in any text or source code editor, such as Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Keep in mind that, WS files may appear empty because Whitespace programs are written using only whitespace characters. You can run a WS file’s program using a Whitespace interpreter.

The source code of programs written in Whitespace is invisible. To make the code visible, 3 characters are used: S for space, T for tabulation, and L for line feed. The program ignores all visible characters. This is the opposite of most programming languages where spaces are generally ignored.

Whitespace source files contain only spaces, tabs, and line feeds. Unlike normal programs, only those characters are significant in Whitespace source. The compiler ignores any other character.

WS scripts execute in Windows, provided the Windows Scripting Host program is installed, namely versions 2.0 and newer. Double-clicking a WS file prompts its execution. Since WS files are less popular than EXE files, they can potentially deliver computer viruses or bloatware.

The Whitespace memory model has a stack and a heap. The stack is sequential, allowing single push and access. The heap allows multiple assignments and accesses at one address. Control flow uses labels, jumps, call, return and exit. A separate control stack is used for call and return.

Stack operations like push, pop or slide modify the data stack to facilitate recursion. Copy and slide were added in Whitespace 0.3.

Files like these sometimes link to registry, source, code, mods or flag. To find the format of your WS file, click “Choose your WS file to analyze”.

Microsoft Windows Script Host provides scripting capabilities like batch files. Scripts can attack your computer so don’t run WS files from unverified sources or emails. To run a script, double click the WS file.

General Information

Title	WS File Extension
Extension	.ws
Full Form	Whitespace Source Code File
File Type	Source Code File
Developer	Edwin Brady, Chris Morris
MIME Type	text/plain

File Function

Primary Function	Store code
Additional Functions	Executable by interpreter
Features	Whitespace-only language, Invisible code

File Characteristics

Quality	Depends on logic
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	Yes, with text editor

Use Cases

Educational	Yes
Experimental Coding	Yes
Obfuscated Challenges	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low
Best Practices	Avoid use in production, Educational use

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	2003
Latest Update	N/A

Associated Types

Similar Concepts

Esolangs, Brainfuck, Malbolge

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Whitespace Interpreter	Free	Cross-platform
Online Interpreter	Free	Web-based