Understanding the Task Scheduler

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated December 10, 2018)

The Windows Task Scheduler is a tool that allows you to have tasks automatically execute at certain times or when certain events occur. For example, you could use the Task Scheduler to synchronize certain folders every day at 2:00 a.m. Or you could set it up to run a program every hour on the hour. You can even have the Task Scheduler send an e-mail every time a certain user logs in. You can have multiple tasks set up to run at various times and under various conditions.

To launch the Task Scheduler if you are using Windows 7, go to Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Task Scheduler. If you are using Windows 8 or Windows 10, type "Task Scheduler" (without the quotes) in the Search box and press enter. Windows displays the Task Scheduler dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Task Scheduler dialog box.

This window allows you to check the status of tasks, create tasks, display running tasks, etc. For example, I have a task named "Sample Task". To check on its status I click the plus sign next to that task's name and I am presented with details about the task's history. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Checking a task's status.

Here we see that the last time the task ran it finished successfully. Its last run started on 9/23/2018 at 09:50:00 a.m. and ended 9/24/2018 at 7:41:00 a.m. It was caused to run (i.e., it was triggered) by a time schedule (versus some system event).

To see additional details about a task, click on the Task Scheduler Library option at the left side of the Task Scheduler dialog box. This causes the middle pane to change so that we can look in more detail at the task. (See Figure 3.)

Figure 3. Getting more detail about a scheduled task.

This view tells us that the task is ready to run again and that it will commence at 2:00 a.m. every day. Note the tabs below the upper screen. By clicking these tabs you're able to see what triggers (causes) the task to start, what actions it will perform, the conditions under which the task runs, various settings that are in effect when the task runs, and the task's history.

For information about how to create a task, see the tip Scheduling a Program to Run on a Schedule.

 This tip (12441) applies to Windows 7 and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Minimizing All Open Windows in One Step

There may be times when you need to minimize all of your open windows in one quick step. Windows provides a few methods ...

Discover More

Understanding Windows Slide Show

If you have folders containing pictures, you may want to display them in a slide show. This tip explains how to do it.

Discover More

Filtering Event Logs

Filtering a log in the Event Viewer allows you quick access to those events you're interested in watching over time. This ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Using the Task Scheduler from the Command Line

In another tip you learned a bit about the Windows Task Scheduler. There may be times, however, when you want to perform ...

Discover More

Modifying or Deleting a Program's Schedule

Windows makes it easy to define tasks and to run them on a regular schedule. If you later want to modify or delete a ...

Discover More

Scheduling a Program to Run on a Schedule

If you have certain programs that you want to have run automatically, you can use Windows Task Scheduler to quickly set ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 - 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips