Introduction , Installation, Use & Problem Solution
The Microsoft Task Scheduler is an amazing little FREE tool that
(in most cases) comes already with your Windows installation and
"hides" in the "Control Panel" folder which is located in the
"My Computer" folder on your desktop. In the following text we
share our experiences to help you to make most out of this tool.
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Introduction to the Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler
By using Task Scheduler, you can schedule tasks such as to
automate
web testing and site monitoring or system tools like the
Disk Defragmenter to run at a time that is most convenient for
you. Task Scheduler starts each time you start Windows, and runs
in the background. With Task Scheduler, you can: Schedule a task
to run daily, weekly, monthly, or at certain times (such as
system startup).
Disclaimer: The Tips & Tricks in the
following are based on our knowledge and experience. If you
should spot any error and omissions in this text, we would like
to
hear from you so that we can improve this page. |
| 2. Using
Task Scheduler:
If the task scheduler is installed on your system, you will
find it in the My Computer folder. (If not, scroll down on how
to obtain & install it)
To use the scheduling service on Windows 98, NT, 2000,
click on the My Computer icon located on the Desktop. Then
double-click on Control Panel to get to the Scheduled Tasks
folder.
On Windows XP and Server 2003 you can access
this from the Start Menu and clicking on Settings and then
Control Panel to Scheduled Tasks.
Double-click Add Scheduled Task. Follow the instructions in
the Add Scheduled Task wizard. Select the Open advanced
properties for this task for more set up options.
The following screenshots highlight some of the more
critical steps:
1. Add task and select program in the list of
programs
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| If you do not find
"your" program in this list, simply select any other program.
You can always change the settings later and, for example, point
it to a batch file (*.bat) or Windows Script (*.vbs).
2. For more options, mark the "advanced properties"
box
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| Background
explanation: A trigger is a set of rules that will cause the
task to be executed. There are two types of triggers: time-based
and event-based. Time-based triggers cause a task to be executed
when the time/date of the trigger has been reached. Event-based
triggers cause a task to be executed when certain system events
occur such as start up, log on, or idle.
2. In the advanced options, check the executable path
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| So what you enter
at the "Run" file could look like this:
"c:\Program Files\InternetMacros4\imacros.exe"
-macro YourMacro -tray -loop 50
Important: The command line options
must be placed OUTSIDE of the "" that surround the path.
"" are needed because otherwise path names with spaces (like
in c:\program files\) can not be interpreted correctly by the
task scheduler.
Important: If you want your task to
run even if no user is logged in, you must enter a user name and
password in the "Run As" box.
Tip: Alternatively you can point to a
Batch file that contains the
specific command line instructions to start the software. Also,
with batch files you can conveniently execute several commands
in a sequence: |
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Example batch (*.bat)
file:
echo Example iMacros Batch File *TRAY MODE*
REM Tip: You may have to adjust the path names to
YOUR installation directory of iMacros
"c:\Program Files\IM\imacros.exe" -macro Demo-FillForm
-tray
"c:\Program Files\IM\imacros.exe" -macro Test-Shop -datasource
items.txt
"c:\Program Files\IM\imacros.exe" -macro
Test-Checkout
echo Batch file completed
pause
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You can switch the
task scheduler on or off by starting and stopping the task
scheduler service:
(1) Open the control panel START > CONTROL PANEL and select
Administrative Tools
(2) Open the SERVICE list...
(3) Select the task scheduler service. You can now start/stop
the task scheduler service
Scripting with Windows Script Host (WSH)
- Save time with Windows Scripts |
