Schedule Windows Tasks
This topic focuses on information that may be unfamiliar to you. It does not include all step and field descriptions.
Note: To manage windows tasks on a remote server you must have administrator privileges on the remote computer.
TIPS:
- To register a new server,
- To copy, move, edit, rename, delete, enable, disable, start, and stop a task, right-click the task in the List tab and select an option.
- To alter schedule, drop schedule, alter task, drop task, start task, or stop task, right-click an item in the Calendar tab and select an option.
To create a Windows task
-
(Automation only) Click
and continue with step 4.
Or
on the toolbar or select Tools | Administer | Job Manager.
- Select the Windows Tasks tab.The Task Scheduler 1.0 and Task Scheduler 2.0 option pane is displayed showing two possible scheduled tasks.
- Select a task scheduler pane to contain the task you are setting up.
- Select a server
- Right-click the server and select New task.... The new task window is displayed with tabs for general, triggers, actions, conditions, settings, and run times options.
- Select the General tab options:
Name Enter the new task name. Location Displays the task location. Author Displays the task author. Description Enter a description of the task. Security options Select the following security options:
- When running the task, use the following user account. Select the Change User button and enter the requested user information.
- Run only when user is logged on - The default is not selected.
- Run whether user is logged on or not - The default is selected.
- Do not store password. The task will only have access to local computer resources. The default is not selected.
- Run with highest privileges - The default is not selected.
Hidden Select to make the task hidden.
- Configure for optional versions of Windows.
- Select the Triggers tab options to specify the conditions that trigger a task.
New Begin the task - Select the type of trigger. The options are: on a schedule, at log on, at startup, on idle, on an event, at task creation/modification, on connection to a user session, on disconnect from a user session, on workstation lock, on workstation unlock, and custom trigger.
Settings - Select the trigger frequency of occurrence. The options are: one time, daily, weekly, and monthly.
- Synchronize across time zones - The default is not selected.
Advanced settings - Set the following:
- Delay task for up to (random delay) - The options are: 30 seconds, 1 minute, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours, and 1 day. The default is "Indefinitely."
- Repeat task every - The options are: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and one hour. The default is "Indefinitely."
- For a duration of - Indefinitely, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 12 hours, and 1 day. The default is "Indefinitely."
- Stop all running tasks at end of repetition duration - The default is "not selected."
- Stop task if it runs longer than - The amount of time to let the task run. The default is "Indefinitely."
- Expire - Set the date and time for expiring a trigger. The default is not selected.
- Synchronize across time zones - The default is not selected.
- Enabled - Trigger is enabled for the task. The default is selected.
Edit Select and edit task triggers. Delete Select and delete task triggers. - Select the Actions tab options to specify what actions this task will perform.
New Action - Select the type of action. The options are: start a program, custom handler, send an email, and display a message.
Settings - Select the following task action settings:
- Program/script - Browse and select a previously created program or script.
- Add arguments (optional) - Add arguments to a previously created program or script.
- Start in (optional) - Start in information for the previously created program or script.
Edit Select and edit task actions. Delete Select and delete task actions. - Select the Conditions tab options to specify the conditions under which tasks are run.
Idle Select the following computer idle conditions relating to task operation.
- Start the task only if the computer is idle for - The options are: 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour.The wait for idle time options are: Indefinitely, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours. The default is not selected.
- Stop if the computer ceases to be idle - The default is selected. Additionally, the option restart if the idle state resumes is available. The default is not selected.
Power Select the following power conditions relating to task operation.
- Start the task only if the computer is on AC power - The default is selected.
- Stop if the computer switches to battery power - The default is selected.
- Wake the computer to run this task - The default is not selected.
Network Select the network conditions relating to task operation.
- Start only if the following network connection is available - The default is not selected.
- Any connection - Use the drop-down to select specific networks.
- Select the Settings tab options to specify task behavior.
Allow task to be run on demand The selected task is run on demand. The default is selected. Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start if missed Runs the selected task immediately. The default is not selected. If the task fails, restart every Restart a failed task in a timely manner. The options are: 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours. The default is not selected - immediately.
- Attempt restart up to - Select the maximum number of restarts. The default is 3.
Stop the task if it runs longer than Stop the task from running after a set limit of time. The options are: 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, and 3 days. The default is selected - 3 days. If the running task does not end when requested, force it to stop Force the task to stop if it does not do so in the set time frame. The default is selected. If the task is not scheduled to run again, delete it after Delete the task if it is not scheduled to run again after a set amount of time. The options are: immediately, 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, 365 days. The default is not selected - immediately. If the task is already running, then the following rule applies If the task is running, use the drop-down to select the task instance rule. The options are: run a new instance in parallel, queue a new instance, do not start a new instance (default), and stop the existing instance. - Select the Run Times tab options to set the date and time range for task running.
From Task beginning run time date and time. Use the drop-down calendar to select the from date. Use the arrows to select the from time. The default is the current date and time. To Task ending run time date and time. Use the drop-down calendar to select the from date. Use the arrows to select the from time. The default is the current date and time. - Click OK.
