Doesn't Windows have a built-in JavaScript runtime, the Windows Script Host? Sure, it may not be a very pretty language either, but it's still relatively sane compared to batch scripts. (I can't speak of PowerShell.)
I do like activex/js and wsh, but Wsh might require permissions to modify the filesystem, so installation/setup step can be harder than just copying and running a statically compiled executable.
I remembered the problem, it was the execution of unsigned/remotely signed powershell scripts where you have to open powershell and give a permission[1] by typing something like:
