"Task scheduler" & where to find it?

[5tevie]

Hi guys,
I have been told that Windows 7 includes something called a Task scheduler and that I can get it to do things like running security scans automatically before the PC shuts down. Now, this may sound a bit strange but I can't find it. Mostly because I'm blind as a bat and the Computer screen, although a decent size, sits about 8 feet from my eyes. So, if some kind soul could tell me exactly where to find it, I'll have a Goosey and see what I can find out.
Cheers,
Steve.

 

[archer]

Hi, Welcome to Seven forums.

check out this tutorial. In this you will get the complete process on how to run the task scheduler and how to schedule a task in Win 7.

Keep us posted.

 

[5tevie]

WOW!!! ... That was quick.
Off for a read. I shall report back later.
Cheers,
Steve

 

[archer]

Do keep us posted.

 

[5tevie]

OK, First off, let me say that I very much appreciate the help that you guys come up with. The only problem is that it sometimes falls at the first hurdle.
For instance, I went to the tutorial and read this right at the beginning ......
Open Task Scheduler by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, then, System and Security, clicking Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Task Scheduler.* Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
So, I'm looking at the list of things in Control panel and there is no sign of anything called "System and Security". This annoys me because, although given good advice by helpful band of guys, the computer system has let them down. Anyway, because of that flaw, I decided to have a mooch around the Control panel options to see what I could find. It was only then that I discovered, "View by" and changed the icon size. That was no good so I tried clicking on, "Category" ..... BANG!!! There it was "System and Security". I would never have found it except by accident. Now, call me picky but surely that simple action should have been right at the start of the Tutorial, as in .....
Open Task Scheduler by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking "View by", then "Category" then, System and Security.
Just a thought. Anyway, back to the tutorial.

 

[archer]

I understand what you mean. But, it is very clear. Normally in the control panel the icons are viewed as "Small icons". You get the options at the top right side to change the view type. This is how you see with option selected Category (first pic).

And of you change the option to small icons, it will change to (second pic)

 

[5tevie]

Archer .... If I click on Control Panel, I always get your second picture and, as you can see, there is no mention of "System & Security". When that happened, my only thought was, maybe my version of Windows 7 is a different version to the one used in the tutorial.
The bad news now is that as far as I can see, there's no way to do what I wanted anyway.
What I wanted to do was set my PC up so that it ran MSE and Malwarebytes when the computer was shut down. I appear to be snookered 'cos there is no option to "Run on shutdown."
Ah well, it was worth a try.
Cheers all,
Steve.

 

[Layback Bear]

Their is no option for any computer to do anything when it is shutdown, (off).

From post #7.

What I wanted to do was set my PC up so that it ran MSE and Malwarebytes when the computer was shut down. I appear to be snookered 'cos there is no option to "Run on shutdown."
Ah well, it was worth a try.
Cheers all,
Steve.

 

[archer]

Well, In that case you need to have a script. Here's how you can enable scripts to run on shutdown.

But, I am not sure what will the script coding be. I am sorry for that. Maybe some expert here can help you with that.

 

[5tevie]

Sorry guys, I need to clarify what I meant by "on shutdown."
I don't mean while the PC is shut down. I meant just as the pc starts to close down.
Maybe reading this thread will explain better.... Gentlemen .... Get your thinking heads on .... - The eBay Community

I am blackburn_stevie and the forum is the PC help forum on eBay.
Cheers,
Steve

 

[DavidE]

I don't know why the MS article (link in Post #2) says to click "System and Security" in Control Panel.
Maybe the instructions were written for an older OS / Control Panel version, and they are outdated now ?
In screen print 2 (Post # 6) Administrative Tools is displayed.
Click on Administrative Tools, and you should see Task Scheduler.

Another way to get to Task Scheduler (or other programs) you are looking for is to use the Start Menu Search option.
It' a great way to quickly and easily find programs...

1) Left click the Start Orb
2) Type in text to search for the program you are looking for
3) Left click to run the program...

My screen print example shows what is listed when I type in "Task".
The list is interactive, the more you enter the list changes, filtering the results ...

 

[5tevie]

Thanks very much, David. That's a lot clearer than the tutorial, lol.

 

[DavidE]

You're welcome, and glad to hear that helped.

 

[UsernameIssues]

~~~
........that simple action should have been right at the start of the Tutorial, as in .....
Open Task Scheduler by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking "View by", then "Category" then, System and Security.
Just a thought. Anyway, back to the tutorial.

Thanks for the feedback - but maybe something needs to be cleared up here. The tutorial that archer linked to is controlled by Microsoft. We do not have the ability to change it. (We are not associated with Microsoft.) There is a feedback process on the page that archer linked to if you want to tell them about your suggestion.

That said, the default view is Category. Many authors of tutorials figure if you change the view from the default setting, then you should know how/when to put it back. I try and include info that works no matter what view is selected.

If archer has pointed you to this tutorial (which we can change), then the control panel view is not an issue.

I tend to tell people to click on Start
...right click on Computer (in the right column/pane)
...select Manage from the context menu
...select Task Scheduler from the left pane

I like to show people that Manage snap-in. It contains so many goodies


But - as you have discovered - created a scheduled task is not what you want to do.

You will need to create a batch file to run stuff - then have the batch file shut the computer down. The link in post #9 can setup the computer so that this batch file runs when you tell the computer to shutdown. Or you can skip that and just click on the batch file manually.

There might be a problem with what you want to do. Running MSE (running a scan?) and running Malwarebytes (running a scan?) might require human interaction if some malware is found. The computer would not shutdown, it would just sit there waiting for a human.

Do you need help making a batch file?

I'm not sure how to "run Malwarebytes" the way that you need via a batch file.

 

[DavidE]

Looking back what I said in Post #11,
System and Security is correct if you have Control Panel displayed as in Post #6 /Screen Print 1.
System and Security is not correct/confusing if you have Control Panel displayed as in Post #6 /Screen Print 2.

 

[UsernameIssues]

...Normally in the control panel the icons are viewed as "Small icons"....

I don't think "Small icons" is normal (Default).

I don't know why the MS article (link in Post #2) says to click "System and Security" in Control Panel....

Because that is what the default settings would show a user. Do you see something different using the Category view? (edit: I see that we cross posted. You've answered that question - thanks.)

I'm beginning to question my Virtual Machines now that two members have different default settings

 

[DavidE]

I believe the default setting is Categories.
I never liked that as it added another "level" to find things.
I always use the non-default view to show everything...it's easier for me to find things quickly.
I've been doing it that way in Win 7 for over 4 years, so for me it's "normal" ...

 

[UsernameIssues]

I believe the default setting is Categories.
I never liked that as it added another "level" to find things.
I always use the non-default view to show everything...it's easier for me to find things quickly.
I've been doing it that way in Win 7 for over 4 years, so for me it's "normal" ...

One of the first things that I change is:
show the Control Panel as a menu...
...so I know what you mean about 'for me it's "normal"'.
I sometimes have to open a VM before composing instructions.

 

[5tevie]

OK, just to clear something up.
This Dell PC is new to me and has a fresh install of Windows 7 Pro installed. Now, without me changing anything at all, when I clicked on Control Panel as advised to in the Tutorial, I got a picture just like the second image above. Once I realised that I could not follow the next instruction (namely click on System and Security) that's when I did a search and clicked on Category.
Many thanks,
Steve