Windows Task Scheduler: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Computer application of Microsoft Windows}}

{{distinguish|Windows Task Manager}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}

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{{multiple issues|

{{primary sources|date=June 2014}}

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{{Infobox software

| name = Windows Task = Scheduler

| screenshot = Windows 7 Task Scheduler.png

| screenshot_size = 300px

| caption = [[Microsoft Management Console|Management console]] for Task Scheduler 23.0 in [[Windows 711]]

| developer = [[Microsoft]]

| released = {{Start date and age|1995}}

| other_names = <code>taskschd.msc</code>

| replaces = System Agent

| service_name = Task Scheduler (<code>Schedule</code>)

| programming language = [[HTMLC++]]

| included with = * [[Internet Explorer 4.0]] and later<br/>([[Windows 95]] and [[Windows NT 4.0]])

| included with = * [[WindowsInternet 98Explorer 4.0]] and later<br />([[Windows 9x95]] familyand [[Windows NT 4.0]])

* [[Windows 200098]] and later<br />(Windows NT9x family)

* [[Windows 2000]] and later<br />(Windows NT family)

| genre = [[Windows service]]

* [[ReactOS]]<br />(Windows NT-like)

| genre = [[Windows service]]

}}

'''Task Scheduler''' (formerly '''Scheduled Tasks''')<ref name=":0" /> is a component[[job ofscheduler]] in [[Microsoft Windows]] that provideslaunches the ability[[computer to schedule the launch of programsprogram]]s or scripts at pre-defined times or after specified time intervals: [[job scheduling]] (task scheduling).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Keep your Windows desktop in shape with Task Scheduler|work=[[TechRepublic]]|date=January 4, 2002-01-04|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/keep-your-windows-desktop-in-shape-with-task-scheduler/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=What is Task Scheduler?|work=[[Computer Hope]]|date=2020-11-November 30, 2020|url=https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/t/tasksced.htm}}</ref> ItMicrosoft isintroduced implementedthis component in the [[Microsoft Plus!]] for [[Windows 95]] as a''System Agent.''<ref>{{cite web|author=Al Fasoltd|date=March 29, 1998|title=Windows 98: Stable and fast, as well as 'new and improved'|url=http://www.technofileonline.com/texts/tec032998.html|access-date=October 6, 2007|publisher=The Syracuse Newspapers}}</ref> Its core component is an eponymous [[Windows service]].<ref name="Mueller-2010">{{cite book|author-first=John Paul|author-last=Mueller|year=2010|title=Windows Command Line Administration Instant Reference|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=978-0470930908}}</ref> andThe wasWindows firstTask introducedScheduler ininfrastructure is the [[Microsoft Plus!]]basis for the [[Windows 95PowerShell]] asscheduled ''Systemjobs Agent''feature introduced with PowerShell v3.<ref>{{cite webbook|author-last=Warner|author-first=Timothy L.|year=2015|title=Sams Teach Yourself Windows PowerShell in 24 Hours|publisher=[[Sams Publishing]]|isbn=978-0134049359}}</ref>

| url = http://www.technofileonline.com/texts/tec032998.html

| title = Windows 98: Stable and fast, as well as 'new and improved'

| author = Al Fasoltd

| publisher = The Syracuse Newspapers

| date = March 29, 1998

| access-date = 2007-10-06

}}</ref> but was renamed to ''Task Scheduler'' in [[Internet Explorer 4.0]] and [[Windows 98]]. The [[Windows Event Log]] service must be running before the Task Scheduler starts up.

Task Scheduler can be compared to [[cron]] or [[anacron]] on [[Unix-like]] [[operating system]]s. This service should not be confused with the [[Scheduling (computing)#Windows|scheduler]], which is a core component of the OS [[kernel (computingoperating system)|kernel]] that allocates [[CPU]] resources to processes already running.

==Versions==

Line 39 ⟶ 29:

| url = http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa446802.aspx

| title = About the Task Scheduler

| access-date = October 6, 2007-10-06

| work = [[MSDN]]

| publisher = [[Microsoft]]

}}</ref> It runs as a [[Windows Service]], and the task definitions and schedules are stored in [[Binary file|binary]] <code>.job</code> files. Tasks are manipulated directly by manipulating the <code>.job</code> files. Each task corresponds to single action. On [[Windows 95]] (with [[Internet Explorer 4.0]] or later), [[Windows 98]] and [[Windows Me]], the Task Scheduler runs as an ordinary program, <code>mstask.exe</code>. It also displays a status icon in the notification area on Windows 95 and Windows 98 and runs as a hidden service on Windows Me, but can be made to show a tray icon.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272962|title=How to Enable the Scheduled Tasks Icon in Windows Me|date=January 29, 2007|work=Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130185556/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272962|archive-date=January 30, 2008}}</ref> Computer programs and [[Scripting language|scripts]] can access the service through six [[Component Object Model|COM]] [[Interface (computing)|interfaces]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa383581%28v=vs.85%29.aspx|title = Task Scheduler 1.0 Interfaces|access-date = 30 May 30, 2014|website = [[MSDN]]|publisher = [[Microsoft]]}}</ref> Microsoft provides a scheduling agent DLL, a sample [[VBScript]] and a configuration file to automate Task Scheduler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=601d75e2-f907-4e51-ad88-adb818df1d27|title=Task Scheduler Using VBScript|work=Download Center|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|date=March 22, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504033359/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=601d75e2-f907-4e51-ad88-adb818df1d27&displaylang=en|archive-date=May 4, 2006}}</ref>

In addition to the graphical user interface for Task Scheduler in [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]], Windows provides two command-line tools for managing scheduled task: <code>[[at (command)|at.exe]]</code> (deprecated)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.computerhope.com/at.htm|title=MS-DOS and Windows command line at command|access-date=March 7, 2021|website=Computer Hope}}</ref> and <code>schtasks.exe</code>.<ref name="Mueller-2010" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Schtasks|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490996.aspx|work=[[Microsoft TechNet]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=18 May 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=At|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490866.aspx|work=[[Microsoft TechNet]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=18 May 18, 2014}}</ref> However, <code>at.exe</code> cannot access tasks created or modified by Control Panel or <code>schtasks.exe</code>.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313565|title = How To Use the AT Command to Schedule Tasks|date = 30 October 30, 2006|website = Support|publisher = [[Microsoft]]}}</ref> Also, tasks created with <code>at.exe </code>are not interactive by default; interactivity needs to be explicitly requested. The binary ".job" files which the AT command produces are stored in the %WINDIR%\Tasks directory.<ref>{{cite book|author1-first=Dave|author1-last=Kleiman|author2-first=Laura E|author2-last=Hunter|year=2006|title=Winternals Defragmentation, Recovery, and Administration Field Guide|publisher=[[Elsevier]]|isbn=978-0080489872}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/121562/EN-US|title = Applications Started with AT Are Not Interactive|date = 20 February 20, 2007|website = Support|publisher = [[Microsoft]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029024318/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/121562/EN-US/|archive-date=October 29, 2004}}</ref>

===Task Scheduler 2.0===

Task Scheduler 2.0 was introduced with [[Windows Vista]]<ref>{{cite book|author1-first=Robert|author1-last=Cowart|author2-first=Brian|author2-last=Knittel|year=2008|title=Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows Vista|publisher=[[Que Publishing]]|isbn=978-0789737816}}</ref> and included in [[Windows Server 2008]] as well.<ref name="VBSPR">{{cite book|
author1-first=Adrian|author1-last=Kingsley-Hughes|author2-first=Kathie|author2-last=Kingsley-Hughes|author3-first=Daniel |author3-last=Read|year=2011|title=VBScript Programmer's Reference|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=978-1118058695}}</ref><ref name="about"/> The redesigned Task Scheduler user interface is now based on [[Microsoft Management Console|Management Console]]. In addition to running tasks on scheduled times or specified intervals, Task Scheduler 2.0 also supports calendar and event-based triggers, such as starting a task when a particular event is logged to the ''event log'', or when a combination of events has occurred. Also, several tasks that are triggered by the same event can be configured to run either simultaneously or in a pre-determined chained sequence of a series of actions, instead of having to create multiple scheduled tasks. Tasks can also be configured to run based on system status such as being idle for a pre-configured amount of time, on startup,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2603028/automate-your-morning-programs-with-windows-task-scheduler.html
|title=Automate your morning programs with Windows Task Scheduler
|last1=Paul|first1=Ian
|work=[[PCWorld]]
|date=September 5, 2014
|access-date=March 15, 2021
}}</ref> logoff, or only during or for a specified time. [[XPath]] expressions can be used to filter events from the [[Windows Event Log]]. Tasks can also be delayed for a specified time after the triggering event has occurred, or repeat until some other event occurs. Actions that need to be done if a task fails can also be configured. The actions that can be taken in response to triggers, both event-based as well as time-based, not only include launching applications but also take a number of custom actions. Task Scheduler includes a number of actions built-in, spanning a number of applications; including send an e-mail, show a message box, or fire a [[Component Object Model|COM]] handler when it is triggered. Custom actions can also be specified using the Task Scheduler API. Task Scheduler keeps a history log of all execution details of all the tasks.<ref name="taskscheduler">{{cite web

|url=http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/mgmntops/taskschd.mspx

|title=Windows Vista Task Scheduler

Line 58 ⟶ 55:

|archive-date=April 12, 2006

}}</ref> Windows Vista uses Task Scheduler 2.0 to run various system-level tasks;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939039|title=Description of the scheduled tasks in Windows Vista|date=August 24, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022033307/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939039|archive-date=October 22, 2007}}</ref> consequently, the Task Scheduler service can no longer be disabled (except with a simple registry tweak).

[[Image:Windows 7 Task Scheduler.png|thumb|right|Task Scheduler 2.0 in [[Windows 7]]]]

Task Scheduler 2.0 exposes an [[API]] to allow computer programs and scripts create tasks.<ref name="VBSPR" /><ref name="kerr">{{cite web

| url = http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/07/10/WindowsCPP/

| title = Task Scheduler 2.0

Line 65 ⟶ 62:

| work = [[MSDN]]

| publisher = [[Microsoft]]

| access-date = October 6, 2007-10-06

| date = October 2007

| url-status=dead

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071226223747/http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/07/10/WindowsCPP/

| archive-date = December 26, 2007

}}</ref> It consists of 42 [[Component Object Model|COM]] [[Interface (computing)|interfaces]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa383600%28v=vs.85%29.aspx|title = Task Scheduler 2.0 Interfaces|access-date = 30 May 30, 2014|website = [[MSDN]]|publisher = [[Microsoft]]}}</ref> The Windows API does not, however, include a [[Managed code|managed]] wrapper for Task Scheduler though an open source implementation exists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3977801/c-sharp-api-for-task-scheduler-2-0|title=C# API for Task Scheduler 2.0|website=Stack Overflow|access-date=2019-07-July 24, 2019}}</ref> The job files for Task Scheduler 2.0 are [[XML]]-based, and are human-readable, conforming to the ''Task Scheduler Schema''.<ref name="VBSPR" /><ref name="kerr"/>

====Other features====

Line 83 ⟶ 80:

| work = [[MSDN]]

| publisher = [[Microsoft]]

| access-date = October 6, 2007-10-06

}}</ref>

==Column 'Last Result'==

The Last Result column displays a completion code. The common codes for scheduled tasks are:<ref>{{cite web|title=How to troubleshoot scheduled tasks in Windows XP and in Windows Server 2003|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308558|work=Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=September 3 Sep, 2013|date=22 May 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/windows/desktop/aa383604(v=vs.85).aspx|title=Task Scheduler Error and Success Constants|work=[[MSDN]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref>

{{Div col|small=yes}}

* 0 or 0x0: The operation completed successfully.

* 1 or 0x1: Incorrect function called or unknown function called.

Line 135 ⟶ 133:

* 0x80041327: The task has properties that are not compatible with earlier versions of Windows.

* 0x80041328: The task settings do not allow the task to start on demand.

* 0x80070002: The Task Scheduler cannot find the file.

* 0x800710E0: The operator or administrator has refused the request.

* 0xC000013A: The application terminated as a result of a CTRL+C.

* 0xC0000142: The application failed to initialize properly.

{{Div col end}}

==Bugs==

On Windows 2000 and Windows XP, tasks assigned to run with SYSTEM privileges do not function when thea computer is prepared for [[disk imaging]] with <code>the [[sysprep]]</code> utility, it cannot run tasks configured to run in the context of the [[Superuser|SYSTEM account]]. Sysprep changes the [[security identifier]] (SID) to avoid duplication but does not update scheduled tasks to use the new SID. Consequently, allthe SYSTEM scheduledaffected tasks fail to run on the imaged computers. There is no solution for this problem but one may reschedule the affected tasks to work around the issue.<ref>{{cite web|title=Scheduled tasks may not start if you used a System Preparation image to install Windows XP or Windows 2000|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313111|work=Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=19 May 19, 2012|date=1 July 1, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926011921/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313111|archive-date=26 September 26, 2008}}</ref>

On Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, where Service Pack 2 is not installed,<!-- To source checkers: You need to expand tables in File information section to reveal this information --> the next execution time displayed in Task Scheduler may be wrong. Microsoft issued a [[hotfix]] to remedy this issue.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 15, 2008|title=The value in the Next Run Time field in Task Scheduler is incorrect in Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950035|workurl-status=Supportlive|publisherarchive-url=[[Microsoft]]https://web.archive.org/web/20081211175231/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950035|accessarchive-date=19December May11, 20122008|datework=15 October 2008Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}

</ref>

On Windows Vista, 7, 2008, and 2008 R2: The [[Microsoft Management Console|MMC]] Component says that the system is running "Task Scheduler 1.0" when in fact it is running 2.0, this is a trivial bug so it wasn't noticed, and is likely due to the re-write of the task scheduler. The version has been corrected to 2.0 in Windows 8 and in 2012.

==See also==

*[[cron]], job scheduler for Unix-like operating systems

*[[Job scheduling]]

*[[cron]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

* {{cite book|author1-last=Leonhard|author1-first=Woody|author2-last=Rusen|author2-first=Ciprian|year=2021|title=Windows 10 All-in-One For Dummies|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=978-1119680574}}

* {{cite book|author1-last=Knittel|author1-first=Brian|author2-last=McFedries|author2-first=Paul|year=2014|title=Windows 8.1 in Depth|publisher=[[Que Publishing]]|isbn=978-0789752819}}

* {{cite book|author1-last=Bott|author1-first=Ed|author2-last=Siechert|author2-first=Carl|author3-last=Stinson|author3-first=Craig|year=2009|title=Windows 7 Inside Out|publisher=[[Pearson Education]]|isbn=978-0735636842}}

* {{cite book|author1-last=Ruest|author1-first=Danielle|author2-last=Ruest|author2-first=Nelson|year=2008|title=Microsoft Windows Server 2008: The Complete Reference|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill Education]]|isbn=978-0071596466}}

* {{cite book|author1-last=Cowart|author1-first=Robert|author2-last=Knittel|author2-first=Brian|year=2008|title=Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows Vista|publisher=[[Que Publishing|Que]]|isbn=978-0789737816}}

==External links==