Scheduling tasks
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
Scheduling tasks
By using Task Scheduler, you can schedule commands, programs, or scripts to run at specific times. For example, if you create a script to install updates on employee workstations, you can schedule the script to run in the evening, when most employees are not at work.
Some of the most common tasks are scheduling a new task and scheduling a task on a remote computer. You can also schedule tasks from the Creating and managing scheduled tasks from the Command Line. For more information about other tasks you can perform by using Task Scheduler, see Task Scheduler How To....
To schedule a new task
Open Task Scheduler.
Double-click Add Scheduled Task.
Follow the instructions in the Scheduled Task Wizard.
Notes
To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators, Backup Operators, or Server Operators, or have been delegated the appropriate authority, on the local computer. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.
When creating a scheduled task, you must enter a user name and password, either in the Add Scheduled Task Wizard or in the Run as box on the Task tab of the properties dialog box for the scheduled task. When the scheduled task runs, the program runs as if it were started by the user you specified, with that user's security context.
To open Task Scheduler, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Scheduled Tasks.
Confirm that the system date and time on your computer are accurate, as Task Scheduler relies on this information to run scheduled tasks. To verify or change this information, double-click the time indicator on the taskbar.
If you want to configure advanced settings for the task, select the Open advanced properties for this task when I click Finish check box in the final page of the wizard. This opens the properties dialog box for the task. You can then change the program being run on the Task tab, fine-tune the schedule on the Schedule tab, customize settings on the Settings tab, or set user and group permissions on the Security tab.
To schedule a task on a remote computer
Open My Network Places.
Click Search for Computers.
In the Computer name box, enter the computer name, and then click Search.
In the details pane, double-click the remote computer on which you want to view scheduled tasks.
Double-click Scheduled Tasks.
From the File menu, point to New, and then click Scheduled Task.
Type a name for the new task, and then press ENTER.
Right-click the new task, and then click Properties.
Do the following:
To specify the program being run, in Run, type the path for the new program.
To set the user account name and password that the scheduled task will run as, edit or enter a new name in the Run as box, and then click Set password.
To set the schedule for the task, click the Schedule tab.
To customize the settings for the task, click the Settings tab.
To set user and group permissions for the task, click the Security tab.
Notes
To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group, or have been delegated the appropriate authority, on the remote computer. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.
To open My Network Places, click Start, and then click My Computer. Under Other Places, click My Network Places.
Information about functional differences
- Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.