Scheduled Tasks

Here are my notes on scheduling tasks on Microsoft Windows and other operating systems.

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Scheduled Tasks

To create a script to run at a specified date/time CLI utilities such as NTBACKUP or disk defragmentation:
• Create a task from Control Panel and double-click "Scheduled Tasks" for the Scheduled Task Wizard OR from Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Scheduled Tasks. (Check the "Wake The Computer To Run This Task" check box for ACPI-compliant computers)
• Set the appropriate permissions for the task on each computer in the workgroup by using the Security tab in the Scheduled Task Wizard Advanced Options dialog box.
• Start the Schedule service
• AT command-line utility
• Review the SCHEDLGU.TXT log stored in %systemroot%.

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The AT command syntax from HELP AT

AT [\\computername] [ [id] [/DELETE] | /DELETE [/YES]]                    
AT [\\computername] time [/INTERACTIVE]
    [ /EVERY:date[,...] | /NEXT:date[,...]] "command"

\\computername     Specifies a remote computer. Commands are scheduled on the
                   local computer if this parameter is omitted.             
id                 Is an identification number assigned to a scheduled      
                   command.
/delete            Cancels a scheduled command. If id is omitted, all the
                   scheduled commands on the computer are canceled.
/yes               Used with cancel all jobs command when no further
                   confirmation is desired.
time               Specifies the time when command is to run.
/interactive       Allows the job to interact with the desktop of the user   
                   who is logged on at the time the job runs.
/every:date[,...]  Runs the command on each specified day(s) of the week or
                   month. If date is omitted, the current day of the month
                   is assumed.
/next:date[,...]   Runs the specified command on the next occurrence of the
                   day (for example, next Thursday).  If date is omitted, the
                   current day of the month is assumed.
"command"          Is the Windows NT command, or batch program to be run.

Scheduled tasks depend on the accuracy of the computer's clock. Make sure that the system clock is accurate. Clocks

Service

Scheduling or modifying a task requires that the Task Scheduler service is either running or paused. The task will run only if the Task Scheduler service is running.

Interfaces

You can use either interface (the Scheduled Task Wizard or command line utility AT) to schedule, reschedule, disable, or remove a task.

All tasks scheduled from the Scheduled Task Wizard can run using any valid user account. Tasks scheduled using the AT utility appear in the Scheduled Tasks window but run in the user context of the AT service account. Modifying the properties of an AT scheduled task in the Scheduled Tasks window converts the AT task to a scheduled task.

ACPI-compliant computers provide a check box under the Settings tab of the task's properties: Wake The Computer To Run This Task

Context Settings

Use Task configuration to control how the task will operate:
• the user context for the task,
• stopping the task if it runs too long,
• allowing the task to run only when the computer is idle,
• not allow the task to run if the computer is running on batteries

Settings

The Scheduled Tasks window provides summary results of task operation. Detailed results are contained in the Task log stored in %systemroot% \ SCHEDLGU.TXT. Viewing the log file is an important troubleshooting measure to determine exactly why a task has failed to run.
• configure the user context for all AT scheduled tasks,
• configure notification of missed tasks,
• control the state of the Task Scheduler service.

Logs

View the log file by clicking the View Log command on the Advanced menu in the Scheduled Tasks window.