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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| 1.
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: |
| 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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How to schedule a VBS Script?
If you want to run iMacros (or any other software) via a VBS Script, simply open the VBS script directly in the task scheduler:
Screenshot: Scheduling a VBS Script with the Vista Task Scheduler
 How to start or stop ALL scheduled tasks at once?
Scripting
with Windows Script Host (WSH)
- Save time with Windows Scripts
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