Task Scheduler - Create New Task

How to Create Automated Task that Runs at Set Time in Windows 7​

   Information

A very handy feature within Vista, Windows Server 2008 & now Windows 7 is the Task Scheduler. This app will allow the automated running of files and programs at a user designated time.

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Here's How:

1. Open up Task Scheduler by either typing "task" into the Start Menu search bar, or by opening All Programs - Accesories - System Tools.​

2. Select 'Create Basic Task' from the right hand pane and the 'Create Basic Task Wizard will open.

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3. With the Wizard open, type a 'Name' and 'Description' for your new task and click Next.
NOTE: The Next button will only be accessible once a 'Name' has been entered.

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4. Select when you would like the event/task to run and click Next.
NOTE: For this tutorial i've selected 'Daily'.

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5. Select the exact time and date at which you wish the first task to start (each task afterward will run based on your selection in step 4) then click Next.

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6. Choose the action you with the task to execute from the list then click Next.
NOTE: For this tutorial i've selected 'Start a program'.

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7. Click 'Browse' and navigate to the executable (exe) file of the program you wish to run then click Next.
NOTE: I've chosen to ignore 'Add arguments' and 'Start in'.

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8. Review the task and make sure that you've set all your required information correctly. If satisfied click Finish.

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9. Your new task has been created and will run at the user specified time. Click 'Refresh' and scroll the list to see your new task (in this case 'My Task'.

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   Note

You can create a new task with the 'Create Task' option in the right hand pane, this will just open the 'Create New Task' windows without the Wizard

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10. If you Created a Task to Wake Up the Computer and Run
A) You would need to change how long Windows 7 will wait to go back to sleep mode automatically after waking up unattended (no activity made by the actual user) and idle. The default time is only 120 seconds (2 minutes), so you would need to set this for how long it may take for the program or task to run instead. The tutorial below can help show you how to. It will be the same in Windows 7. For how, see:

Sleep Return Timeout for Unattended Wake Up - Vista Forums

Edit/Change Task:

1. You can change you task settings at any time, just double-click the new task.

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OR

2. If you wish to delete the task you can just click the 'Delete' button in the right hand pane. You will get the confimation dialog upon clicking 'delete'

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Related Tutorials

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• How to Create a Task to Run a Program at Startup and Log On in Windows 7
• How to Fix Task Scheduler Error (Event ID 404)
• How to Create a Task that will Shut Down the PC Automatically
• How to Create a Task to Wake up the Computer to Run in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Change the Return to Sleep Timeout for a Unattended Wake Up in Windows 7
• How to Display a Message Reminder in Windows with Task Scheduler

 

[bvdileep]

Hi,

Please find attachment.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

I have just used the same settings as your screenshots and when unlocking my computer i get a message pop up.
Just try re-creating the task based on your screenshots.

When does it ask for the password?
When creating the task or when you unlock the computer?

As a test, once you have re-created the task, right click the task and select run to see if it works.

 

[bvdileep]

Hi,

I have deleted the previous one and re-created. As you said i have tested it by clicking on Run, it is displaying the message but however it is not displaying once i unlock the system.

could you please help me in choosing the options in Conditions and Settings.

 

[bvdileep]

also possible send me the Task as attachment, i will import that and try

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Hi,

I have deleted the previous one and re-created. As you said i have tested it by clicking on Run, it is displaying the message but however it is not displaying once i unlock the system.

could you please help me in choosing the options in Conditions and Settings.

Can i just clarify something, when you say "Unlock"...
Have you locked your computer and then unlocking it

or

Have you logged out of your computer and logging back in again?

 

[bvdileep]

I just locked my system using Win+l and unlocking (ctrl+alt+del) by giving password

 

[glnz]

Win 7 Task Scheduler does not let me start Speccy at startup

To all: As usual for this forum, a great thread. But I'm still stymied:

New to Win 7, and trying to use Task Scheduler to make Speccy start when the PC is turned on OR I log in, so Speccy and its temperature readings start right away. But so far no luck.

First, you might want to check Piriform's Speccy, a very useful utility.

Second, for some reason it will start but won't display! My Task Scheduler entry has the program run - it shows as a running process in task manager - but nothing is showing on my screen. So, what's the problem?

I've tried a few different settings in Task Scheduler, like changing from startup to log on, but no help.

Could one of you experts / knowledgeable fans experiment, get it to work, and then send me painfully, microscopically detailed instructions with all settings - even how tight I tie my shoelaces?

I could use Task Scheduler in XP pretty well (after hours of fussing the first few times), but Win 7 has made everything more complicated, and I'm finally giving up. If you ever see a pic of Bill Gates with a black eye, you'll know I finally had a chance to thank him properly.

Thanks to all.

PS Edit - Another thing I tried was to give elevated privileges to the program in the Task Scheduler parameters - by adding my Win 7 admin password - but same result. The only thing that will really help is if someone knowledgeable works with Speccy and Task Scheduler and gets this to work, and then send me the steps and settings. Thanks.

 

[jraju]

Hi, I wish to inform you that Speccy is a program that gives details of the computer and its accessories.This needs some sub commands inside the exe file. When you click the exe, when task schedule prompt you, then it will definitely work. When retrieving computer information, this will definitely work, if the exe consist those sub commands. Some programs are arranged in such a way that the screen of the program will open up and prompting to you to click ok and go to the menus in the program as per your wish. I will definitely try and inform about speccy. But my sheduler works perfectly well
Update: I have tried speccy and it prompts me to click ok to view the computer details. The task scheduler works perfectly at the time specified. I select one time for test and worked. Please carefully choose the program exe. It should work for you as well
The instructions given in how to schedule is clear. You have to choose the program exe and not the shortcut. You have to go to crogram files\speccy\speccy.exe. You should select this file.
I do not think that i have to repeat the excellent instructions given by the thread author. Please do tell

 

[jraju]

Hi, I created a simple flushdns task, as there is always of problem in net connectivity to get the log on connection. I have to go to cmd and issue flushdns command.
When i execute, it just, it runs the command.
I just want this to run on every log on.
At documents folder, this task if executed, it would just hang on the first line without moving, even if i issue command @echo on before the task.
If i execute, with admin , then the task runs without fail.
I just add this task in task scheduler and it does not execute, after i just moved the file to d: from c: because of permission issue.
What i did is , creaated bat file, with ipconfig /release,ipconfig /flushdns,ipconfig /renew with echo on at the top,and saved this as bat file, (all files format)
create basic task, given task name, trigger start the program, browsed to the d: and selected the bat file. start the program at every log on by any user, and finish it.
But the task is not showing as running at test log on repeatedly.
what i am missing please
History tab is disabled why?

 

[jraju]

Hi, Why no reply from experts . Can i expect a reply

 

[torchwood]

Hi jraju

I think this tutorial is more suited to your needs

Task - Create to Run a Program at Startup and Log On - Windows 7 Help Forums

However it might be that the folder does not have the required privalidges
In the above tutorial there is a page detailing this.

Roy

 

[jraju]

Hi, Torch,
Thanks for your tips , It worked without any problem.
But, i had enabled @echo on , on the bat file.
It should have shown in command prompt the execution.
I have to go to the task scheduler and go to the folder i created and then to click the task, and then tb history to see the task is completed.
Do you have any tips , how to correct it

 

[jraju]

Hi, i want to create a task to kill a avast process while shutting down. Can i do? i could create a bat file and could execute the task at the start up. But, what i want is this task to be scheduled on the shutdown of the computer.
If i give restart, I am getting error id of opending handles of this program during shutup in the next startup log in windows event viewer. But i want this to force kill all the processes .
Can i schedule this bat at the shutdown of windows.
any idea?

 

[disu1950]

How do you run it under SYSTEM?

u can use runas.exe in system32 or gsudo.exe to imprisonate anything...