Error Code 800A01AD trying to CreateObject in VBScript

Question:

I got the following error when trying to instantiate an ActiveX object in my VBScript (.vbs)

Code “800A01AD”
Message “ActiveX component can’t create object: ‘Chilkat.Cert'”

Answer:

It means the ActiveX is not registered.  Yes, you probably registered the ActiveX, but you need to understand if your VBScript is running as a 32-bit process, or a 64-bit process.  You then need to register the matching ActiveX (32-bit or 64-bit) to the correct registry (32-bit or 64-bit).

1. You need to understand about 32-bit vs 64-bit VBScript.
2. You need to understand about the Windows 32-bit vs 64-bit Registries
3. Download the 32-bit or 64-bit Chilkat ActiveX and register to the correct registry.

If you want to cover all your bases, simply download both 32-bit and 64-bit ActiveX’s and register each to its correct registry.  Then your CreateObject statement will work regardless of whether it’s 32-bit or 64-bit.

Also, you should realize there are both Current User and Local Machine registries (IIS would use Local Machine).  When you register as administrator, your registering to the local machine registry.

Thus, there are a total of 4 Windows Registries for ActiveX Registration.

It might be a good idea to just take 10 minutes to read the ActiveX Registration Tutorial