Solved Make Task Scheduler run a program after another closes?

[lehnerus2000]

Is it possible to get Task Scheduler to run programs after another program is closed?

What I was thinking is, it would be great to be able to get CCleaner and/or an AV program to run automatically, after shutting down IE8, Firefox or other browser.
It would be an excellent way to protect a PC from nasties.

I forgot to clean my cache the other day and my email got hijacked.

 

[NoN]

Is it possible to get Task Scheduler to run programs after another program is closed?

What I was thinking is, it would be great to be able to get CCleaner and/or an AV program to run automatically, after shutting down IE8, Firefox or other browser.
It would be an excellent way to protect a PC from nasties.

I forgot to clean my cache the other day and my email got hijacked.

You can do first in Control Panel=>Internet Options => Check the box, Delete Browser History on close, and in Parameters Tab, don't retain days of pages saved, set the cache to minimal 50Mb so it will erase itself while browsing.

When you click "Delete", check all Boxes except the one on top from the favorites Web Sites.

Again in your Intenet Options, don't authorize the password to be memorized.

This will help a lot the clean up when you close the browser, it is delayed 30seconds after you finished browsing.

It might be harder to do a task on demand, than this lite solution...Hope this help!

 

[Chris K]

...I forgot to clean my cache the other day and my email got hijacked.

you dont have to equate stuff just "being on" your computer with viruses, trojans, etc

nothing is that volatile

you have to run/execute before you can become contaminated - by which time, no amount of "cleaning up" will make any diff

just be aware of programmes you execute/run

 

[Bill2]

1) AutoCleaner, (also called CCleaner Runner) monitors web browsers (users can select which browsers to watch), which when closed will automatically launch CCleaner (minimized in system tray) and clean up the browser’s cache, web history, typed URLs, temp files, and more depending on the user’s CCleaner setting.

AutoCleaner 1.1 | AddaxSoft

2) Alternatively, you can create a shortcut to “C:\Program Files\CCleaner\ccleaner.exe” /AUTO /SHUTDOWN” and your PC will be cleaned before shutting down.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Thanks guys, for your replies/suggestions.

Sometimes my descriptions & phrasing are "double plus ungood".

You can do first in Control Panel=>Internet Options => Check the box, Delete Browser History on close, and in Parameters Tab, don't retain days of pages saved, set the cache to minimal 50Mb so it will erase itself while browsing.

When you click "Delete", check all Boxes except the one on top from the favorites Web Sites.

Again in your Intenet Options, don't authorize the password to be memorized.

This will help a lot the clean up when you close the browser, it is delayed 30seconds after you finished browsing.

It might be harder to do a task on demand, than this lite solution...Hope this help!

Hi NoN
The problem with that solution is, that I often need my history to find things. I use Firefox, but it uses basically the same clean-up method.

When I start searching for stuff on the Internet, I often discover unrelated items, which might be worth further investigation.
My usual practice is to open multiple tabs as I am searching.
Yesterday I had 170 tabs open (I have read comments from people complaining, that they can't open more than a half a dozen tabs before FF becomes unusable - check out my system specs).
This usually means that I have to finish browsing, before I have investigated all the tabs I've opened.
I don't always bookmark every tab, so I need my history just in case. I already have too many bookmarks (~10,000).

...I forgot to clean my cache the other day and my email got hijacked.

you dont have to equate stuff just "being on" your computer with viruses, trojans, etc

nothing is that volatile

you have to run/execute before you can become contaminated - by which time, no amount of "cleaning up" will make any diff

just be aware of programmes you execute/run

Hi Chris K
I have multiple Firefox profiles on my machine (default, anime, pjl, etc).
I have done this because I have too many bookmarks (~10,000). :shock:
If I use only one profile, finding any particular obscure bookmark is difficult (and Firefox seems to struggle).

This is what I think happened:
I used my online email in one FF profile and then I swapped to another one, without cleaning the cache. When I opened my online email in that FF profile, my account got hijacked and sent out a couple of spam emails (porn & Viagra links, I think).
The "Sent" folder in my account, did not contain these Spam emails.
Also, one of my cookies for my online email accounts (I have more than one) became "corrupted" and I was unable to access my account.
In fact my email provider's log in page said, that my user name didn't exist! :shock:

I "CCleaned" my cache when I closed Firefox and ran AVG, ASC and Glary Utilities and they all said nothing was wrong.
I also let Windows Defender run itself every night, well unless AVG has turned it off.

Thus my question about automatically running a program, after another has closed (e.g. AV/cleaner program, when a browser is closed).
It wouldn't have to be for that situation only (it was the easiest example).

1) AutoCleaner, (also called CCleaner Runner) monitors web browsers (users can select which browsers to watch), which when closed will automatically launch CCleaner (minimized in system tray) and clean up the browser’s cache, web history, typed URLs, temp files, and more depending on the user’s CCleaner setting.

AutoCleaner 1.1 | AddaxSoft

2) Alternatively, you can create a shortcut to “C:\Program Files\CCleaner\ccleaner.exe” /AUTO /SHUTDOWN” and your PC will be cleaned before shutting down.

Hi Bill2
Thanks for that link. I will check it out.
I thought that the /SHUTDOWN command, made the computer shut down after CCleaner had run.

 

[NoN]

Well, I guess i have as all the others those "v1agra@", "R0lex", "****book" in my Spam/Bulk mails....

I got my Anti-Spam to watch my mails and "Real Time Protection" with Windows Defender and McAfee constantly On...

I suggest you to create some filters with your AVG/Spam and not authorize those cookies from the AVG engine directly. This will filter some of them and your mail provider will do some either....It can reduce risky spams.

Those emails i got are old from the beginning and i'm amaze that they're not more spammed than the few mails i receive everyday.

 

[lehnerus2000]

My Bad

I guess that I didn't describe the situation correctly.
I don't run an email program on my PC, I use a web-based one. I also receive normal spam (porn, scams, Viagra, etc).
I have also had my email address spoofed in the past.

Last year something sent spam to all my contacts (there was a copy in my "Sent" folder).
I left my other email address in the address book, so I would know if/when it happened again.

Last week, something read my online email account's address book and sent spam claiming to be me, to the contact in that address book (my other email account).
There was no copy of the email in my "Sent" folder.

No malware was found on my PC during the previous and current incidents.

My previous theory was wrong, anyway as each Firefox profile has its own cache (d'oh).

Bill2's solution, AutoCleaner 1.1 | AddaxSoft should solve the auto-cache clean problem.
Thanks, once again, Bill2 for that info.

Anyway this (my malware attack) wasn't the point of my original post.
I used that as an example of why someone might want to automatically run a program (using Task Scheduler), after another has been closed.

 

[NoN]

Last year something sent spam to all my contacts (there was a copy in my "Sent" folder).
I left my other email address in the address book, so I would know if/when it happened again.

Last week, something read my online email account's address book and sent spam claiming to be me, to the contact in that address book (my other email account).
There was no copy of the email in my "Sent" folder.

Well, difficult to ask your provider to entirely protect your adress book....they do let only basics features & security parameters.

I was either using in the early 2001 an adress book in web based one and i've quickly remove any contacts, therefore none can be spammed unless my own mail if i don't set an alternate one.

 

[FliGi7]

To answer your question, I believe the only way to do something like this without third party software (if such exists) would be to create a scheduled task that runs based on an event in the system log, and then configure the Windows Application Event Logger to log program exits (if possible).

I'm not sure how else to do this with the native OS options, but I suppose there could be some third party software that aims to do this.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Oops that didn't come out right (again)

Last year something sent spam to all my contacts (there was a copy in my "Sent" folder).
I left my other email address in the address book, so I would know if/when it happened again.

Oops!
That section should have read:

Last year something sent spam to all my contacts (there was a copy in my "Sent" folder).
I deleted ALL the contacts from that account's address book (except my other account).
I left my other email address in the address book, so I would know if/when it happened again.
​

Well, difficult to ask your provider to entirely protect your adress book....they do let only basics features & security parameters.

I was either using in the early 2001 an adress book in web based one and i've quickly remove any contacts, therefore none can be spammed unless my own mail if i don't set an alternate one.

I blame them, if they get compromised.
I DON'T blame my email provider, if my PC gets compromised.

I deleted ALL the contacts from that account's address book (except my other email account).
That seemed to be the most effective solution.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Firefox Auto-Cleanup (D'oh!)

Ironically, I set the Firefox Auto-Cleanup on my Ubuntu 10.04 install, but not on my Windows XP & 7 installs.


I just created a tutorial (fingers crossed) to show how to use the Firefox Auto-Cleanup function.

Anyone who is unaware of how to use it, can go to this page:

Firefox Browser Auto-Cleanup (How to Set)

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/94662-firefox-browser-auto-cleanup-how-set.html#post817704

 

[FliGi7]

Oh, I thought you were looking for something that would clean your system (like ccleaner) rather than just files for the particular browser. That is a feature in Firefox I always set to use on systems other than my own.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Sort of...

Oh, I thought you were looking for something that would clean your system (like ccleaner) rather than just files for the particular browser. That is a feature in Firefox I always set to use on systems other than my own.

I wanted both.

I wanted to know, if I could make Task Scheduler run CCleaner and/or AVG, after I had finished browsing the Internet (i.e. when Firefox and/or IE8 close).

If I have downloaded a file, it would be nice to scan my Downloads Folder automatically afterwards.
Most of the files, that I download, are pictures (>99%).
I normally don't download exe files (generally only updates for programs).
I don't install "trialware".

AVG is set to scan files, as they are being downloaded, but that doesn't seem to always catch malware.
For example, I have downloaded files, they have passed the scan and then when my scheduled scan runs, malware is found.
It must have come from somewhere.

I actually have several programs for System Cleaning:

• CCleaner
• Glary Utilities
• Iobit Advanced System Care3
• AVG Anti-Virus

I have used these programs for several years.

I normally run CCleaner as soon as I close Firefox.
With the last couple of weird incidents, that I have experienced, I think that I forgot to run it.
That is to say, that sometimes when I forget to clean (as soon as I close my browser), I have experienced some malware attack or other weirdness.

I can't remember experiencing any problems, when I have cleaned as soon as I have closed Firefox.

That is why I thought, that there may have been malware hiding in my cache (or elsewhere), waiting for Firefox to restart and using the opportunity to create havoc.

For example:
When I am using Firefox, can JS routines load garbage into the IE8 Temporary Internet Files folder?
What about Flash, with its "Swiss Cheese" security?

This malware business was only an example, to suggest why someone might want to run a program(s) after another has closed.
I suspect that people could write batch files, or PowerShell scripts to accomplish this.

 

[Chris K]

...I actually have several programs for System Cleaning:

• CCleaner
• Glary Utilities
• Iobit Advanced System Care3
• AVG Anti-Virus

... sometimes when I forget to clean (as soon as I close my browser), I have experienced some malware attack or other weirdness..

That is weird - I've never used any cleaner ever and never been 'attacked' by any software at all

For sure, 'cleaning' is not your problem - I suspect consciously running 'dodgy' software is

...there may have been malware hiding in my cache (or elsewhere), waiting for Firefox to restart .....

You have more chance of winning the lottery than any internet browser running malicious software

 

[lehnerus2000]

Sorry I don't agree

...I actually have several programs for System Cleaning:

• CCleaner
• Glary Utilities
• Iobit Advanced System Care3
• AVG Anti-Virus

... sometimes when I forget to clean (as soon as I close my browser), I have experienced some malware attack or other weirdness..

That is weird - I've never used any cleaner ever and never been 'attacked' by any software at all

For sure, 'cleaning' is not your problem - I suspect consciously running 'dodgy' software is

Cleaners don't prevent your machine from being attacked. They remove attackers and other junk.
Anti-Virus programs and firewalls, hopefully prevent your machine from being attacked.
Not visiting dodgy sites, is also a good defense (not perfect).

Although I run mostly FOSS programs on my machine, I get them from reputable vendors (e.g. SourceForge).
I do not download software from China, Eastern Europe or Russia, using Torrents.

I have only experienced 2 minor (but embarrassing) malware attacks, in the last 9 months.

...there may have been malware hiding in my cache (or elsewhere), waiting for Firefox to restart .....

You have more chance of winning the lottery than any internet browser running malicious software

Um, have you heard of "Drive-by" attacks?
You visit a website, using your Internet Browser and click on a hijacked/poisoned link.
This link tries to take advantage on any "unpatched" vulnerabilities in your OS.
This occurs whilst you are browsing.
These links aren't always restricted to "dodgy" sites. :shock:

The "Pwn to Own" hacking/security competition, is almost always won using this technique. :shock:

Most critical patches, that I have seen for Windows, IE and Firefox, are to prevent remote hijacking and privilege escalations.

IMO, Flash, JS and Torrents are the biggest malware vectors.
You can avoid Torrents, but you can't avoid Flash and JS (so many idiots use these, for everything on their sites, even when it is not necessary).

 

[Chris K]

Cleaners don't prevent your machine from being attacked. They remove attackers and other junk.

Like I say - never used *any* cleaner *ever* in my life - do you think i'm just lucky?

Um, have you heard of "Drive-by" attacks?
You visit a website, using your Internet Browser and click on a hijacked/poisoned link.
This link tries to take advantage on any "unpatched" vulnerabilities in your OS.
This occurs whilst you are browsing.

You do think I'm just lucky

Browser 'vulnerabilities' are plugged within minutes of potential hazard - Like i say - you have better chance of winning the lottery than your browser 'allowing' such problem thru

My money (all of it) would be on you consciously installing software on your machine - if you notice any adverse affects after doing so then just roll back your settings prior to the install and dont worry about temp int files - they're totally inhert

 

[FliGi7]

Oh, I thought you were looking for something that would clean your system (like ccleaner) rather than just files for the particular browser. That is a feature in Firefox I always set to use on systems other than my own.

I wanted both.

I wanted to know, if I could make Task Scheduler run CCleaner and/or AVG, after I had finished browsing the Internet (i.e. when Firefox and/or IE8 close).

If I have downloaded a file, it would be nice to scan my Downloads Folder automatically afterwards.
Most of the files, that I download, are pictures (>99%).
I normally don't download exe files (generally only updates for programs).
I don't install "trialware".

AVG is set to scan files, as they are being downloaded, but that doesn't seem to always catch malware.
For example, I have downloaded files, they have passed the scan and then when my scheduled scan runs, malware is found....

I used to run AVG a while ago when it first started getting hype, but quit using it after it failed to perform as I liked. I would suggest you remove AVG and start using Avira Antivir. I have been running the free version for a couple years now and it not only has excellent scanning abilities to find hidden rootkits, but it exercises some of the best heuristics for real-time acquisition of questionable files I have ever seen. It has also been at, or very near, the top of the detection rate scales for AV products for a couple years now.

This helps immensely for those drive-by-downloads or even any questionable JS within web pages. As soon as the web page loads, and the heuristics find a questionable piece, it blocks it, allows you to remove it, and then performs a quick scan of the folder to see if anything else was left behind.

I really think this would help you greatly for your particular concerns.

http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html

 

[lehnerus2000]

Um, Zero Day Exploits.

Browser 'vulnerabilities' are plugged within minutes of potential hazard - Like i say - you have better chance of winning the lottery than your browser 'allowing' such problem thru

Um, Zero Day Exploits.

Pugged within minutes?
The Mighty Fall at Pwn2Own (March 25th, 2010)
Welcome to TechNewsWorld

Microsoft finally fixes Pwn2Own browser flaw (8th June, 2010)
Microsoft finally fixes Pwn2Own browser flaw | ZDNet

Time = 75 days or 1800 hours or 108,000 minutes.

I am not questioning your statement about malware on your PC.
The fact remains, that not everyone does the "wrong thing" and yet somehow malware gets onto their PCs.

I used to run AVG a while ago when it first started getting hype, but quit using it after it failed to perform as I liked. I would suggest you remove AVG and start using Avira Antivir. I have been running the free version for a couple years now and it not only has excellent scanning abilities to find hidden rootkits, but it exercises some of the best heuristics for real-time acquisition of questionable files I have ever seen. It has also been at, or very near, the top of the detection rate scales for AV products for a couple years now.

This helps immensely for those drive-by-downloads or even any questionable JS within web pages. As soon as the web page loads, and the heuristics find a questionable piece, it blocks it, allows you to remove it, and then performs a quick scan of the folder to see if anything else was left behind.

I really think this would help you greatly for your particular concerns.

Avira AntiVir Personal - FREE Antivirus

Thanks FliGi7.

I have been considering changing AV programs.

On my Windows 7 install, AVG started popping up an ad, each time I logged in.
Ironically, the ad has several broken scripts, which Windows asked me to kill.
I had to kill the Sys Tray helper to stop it.

It doesn't happen on XP.

 

[silkman]

Google got me to this thread because I have been searching for a similar solution (before the thread drifted away )

Anyways, I understand the problem was how to run a program (or a batch file) after another program/process has been closed. I have myself so far also concluded that you should log the process in event viewer/application log and then it would be easy to create a task for the batch file to run based on log id.

An alternative I already use is a batch file / task that runs every say, 10 minutes and checks if a process is running if it is it runs something, if it isn't, it runs something else:

tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq xbmc.exe" | find /i "xbmc.exe"
rem echo %errorlevel%
if not errorlevel 1 goto progon

: progoff
run command

: progon
run different command
​

But this doesn't work in my case because I want to run the batch file only *once* after the process has stopped - the above solution runs it multiple times, ie every 10 minutes.

I was wondering if the op has found any answer to this.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Thanks for that code.
Someone else suggested using the Event IDs (on a different thread, I can't remember which one).

I created a VB script, which lets me select my FF profile, starts FF and runs CCleaner (when I exit FF).

I start the script using a batch file (I can give the batch file a custom icon).