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Windows 7: Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder


Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder

How to Display a Message Reminder in Windows with Task Scheduler
Published 31 Jan 2012
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How to Display a Message Reminder in Windows with Task Scheduler

information   Information
This will show you how to create yourself, or another user or group, a message reminder scheduled to display for when and how often you like in Windows 7 or Vista using Task Scheduler.

All users on the computer will be able to do this.

Note   Note
The steps may look long and complicated, but this is really quite easy to do. I just included a lot of details to help make it easy.

warning   Warning
The message reminder might not always appear on top of the current active window if you just happen to be typing or clicking in the window (ex: Internet Explorer) at the same time when the message reminder displays causing the message reminder to no longer be the active window and not on top.

The message reminder will also have a icon on the taskbar to indicate that it has displayed.

You could also use what Dwarf's posted below to avoid this as well.


EXAMPLE: Message Reminder
NOTE: This is the type of message reminder pop-up dialog that will be displayed on your desktop with your message title and message you set for when and how often in Task Scheduler.
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-example.jpg


Here's How:
1. Open the Start Menu, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista).

3. In the left pane, click on Task Scheduler Library folder to select it, then click on Create Task in the right pane. (see screenshot below)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step1.jpg
4. In the General tab, type in a Name and Description for this task to help let you know what it's for. (see screenshot below)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step2.jpg
5. If you wanted to change what user or group this message reminder will display for other than than the default of your user account, then click on the Change User or Group button and follow the steps in the screenshot below to select a user or group. If not, then skip this step and go to step 6.
NOTE: The steps are numbered in the order to follow for how to select a different user or group. The Users group would be for all users.
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step2b.jpg
6. Click on the Triggers tab, and click on the New button. (see screenshot below)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step3.jpg
7. If not already selected, then select On a schedule. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could select what event you would like or works better for you instead, but I'm just using this one as an example. If you select a different option, then you will have different setting to set instead of the ones in steps 7A-7B below.
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step4.jpg

A) Select how often you want the message reminder to display. (see screenshot below)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step5.jpg
B) Depending on what you selected in step 7A, select and set when (ex: date and time) you want the message reminder to display. (see screenshots below)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step6a.jpgTask Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step6b.jpg
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step6c.jpgTask Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step6d.jpg
C) When finished, click on OK. (see screenshot above)
8. Click on the Actions tab, and click on the New button. (see screenshot below)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step7.jpg
9. In the Action drop down menu, select Display a message. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: See red warning box at the top of the tutorial.
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step8.jpg
10. Type in a Title and Message that you want displayed in the message reminder, and click on OK. (see screenshot above)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step9.jpg
11. Click on the Conditions tab, uncheck the Stop if the computer switches to batter power box, and uncheck the Start the task only if the computer is on AC power box. (see screenshot below)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step10.jpg
12. Click on the Settings tab, check the Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed box, and check the If the task fails, restart every: box. (see screenshot below)
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step11.jpg
13. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)

14. You will now see this task listed in the Task Scheduler Library folder. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will always be able to edit or delete this task.
Task Scheduler - Create Task to Display a Message Reminder-step12.jpg
15. Close Task Scheduler. You're message reminder will now display for the user or group and when you have it set for in this task.
That's it,
Shawn








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31 Jan 2012   #1
Dwarf

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Service Pack 1
Doncaster, UK
 
 

Another great Tutorial, Shawn.

In some cases, the message might not appear on top of the current window. In order to alleviate this, a slight change needs to be made at Step 9. Instead of selecting the action Display a message, choose Start a program instead. This allows you to have greater flexibility, as you can have the same message appear for all users, for some users (and nothing for the others), or different messages for each user.

The basic code for the program (a .vbs file) is as follows:

Code:
MsgBox "Don't forget to create yourself an example message today at SevenForums.com", vbSystemModal
For more information, please see Section TWO of this Tutorial: Task Scheduler - Windows 8 Forums

My System SpecsSystem Spec

31 Jan 2012   #2
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

Thank you Dwarf for another option. I added a warning for this.

Last edited by Brink; 31 Jan 2012 at 04:39 PM.. Reason: correction
My System SpecsSystem Spec
08 Aug 2012   #3
Chris4

Windows 7 Home Premium x64
Harlow, Essex, UK
 
 

Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Dwarf View Post
In some cases, the message might not appear on top of the current window. In order to alleviate this, a slight change needs to be made at Step 9. Instead of selecting the action Display a message, choose Start a program instead. This allows you to have greater flexibility, as you can have the same message appear for all users, for some users (and nothing for the others), or different messages for each user.

The basic code for the program (a .vbs file) is as follows:

Code:
MsgBox "Don't forget to create yourself an example message today at SevenForums.com", vbSystemModal
For more information, please see Section TWO of this Tutorial: Task Scheduler - Windows 8 Forums
Thank you very much for this! I found the Task Scheduler reminder message to be quite useless, as it displays underneath everything so I never see it, so the vbs option is perfect.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


02 Oct 2012   #4
cybersun

win 7 64
Lima
 
 
POPPING UP ON TOP

Hello Shawn,

Do you know any trick to get the POP UP WINDOW of that message to POP UP ON TOP OF THE OTHER opened windows? Also do you know how we could assign a louder sound?

It is working real neat but I would dearly like to add these two features...

Regards,

cybersun
My System SpecsSystem Spec
02 Oct 2012   #5
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

Hello Cybersun,

You could use the alternative option in the red warning box at the top of the tutorial to use a .vbs file to run with a task instead for it to appear on top.

I don't remember what sound event (Alert ?? maybe) the task message pop-up belongs to, but it would be in Sounds to change it to play whatever sound (.wav) file you like.

Sounds - Change

Hope this helps,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
02 Oct 2012   #6
cybersun

win 7 64
Lima
 
 

Is this all the code there is to it?

MsgBox "Don't forget to create yourself an example message today at SevenForums.com", vbSystemModal

I assume this can be written in any text editor and save as for instance: MSG01.VBS?

PLease confirm, as I am no at all familiar with VBS.

How is the VBS file written? ANy comment field indicators?

Does it need to be saved to a specific folder or can it be run from any?

thanks for your help

PS: can you also let me know of a good site to refer to for VBS?

cybersun

My System SpecsSystem Spec
03 Oct 2012   #7
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

Yes, that would be correct. You would just copy and paste that in notepad, then save it as whatever.vbs. Afterwards, use Task Scheduler to run the .vbs file how you like.

Code:
MsgBox "Whatever message you want", vbSystemModal
I think the sound event is "System Notification".

The link below can give you the basics about VBS files.

VBScript - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
My System SpecsSystem Spec
04 Oct 2012   #8
cybersun

win 7 64
Lima
 
 

Thanks Brink, It worked fine. I will get a little more litterate with VBS before adventuring further ahead! But id does look like a promising option to do even more stuff in conjunction with the TASK SCHEDULER.

Regards,

cybersun
My System SpecsSystem Spec
04 Oct 2012   #9
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

You're most welcome cybersun.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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