Microsoft operating systems have a large number of hidden features and functions. One of the most unknown and, which can be very useful, is the Task scheduler in Windows. We are going to explain to you what you can do with this interesting tool, all the things you can do with it and how you can configure this great tool.
The Windows task scheduler is a tool within the Microsoft operating system that allows you to automate different actions. Thanks to this tool we can launch events at a specific time and date.
Additionally, we can generate tasks that will be repeated periodically. It also allows you to set a set of triggers for a new event to start. Finally, this tool allows you to create task plans, allowing the system to work in a more autonomous way.
Automate repetitive Windows tasks
You may think that the “Task Scheduler” is very hidden in Windows, but nothing like that. The truth is that you can access this tool from a lot of places. Specifically, you can access it from these points:
- From Run: Press the Windows+R key combination and then add the command taskschd.mscand then press Enter.
- Windows Search: Simply type Task Scheduler and click on the first option that appears.
- Administrator Menu: Right click on the Windows icon and then on the “Computer Manager” option. You should know that the “Task Scheduler” is inside.
Once we have it open, the next thing is to generate a task. The truth is that it is a fairly simple process and it allows us to generate as many tasks as we want. To create a task follow these steps:
- Within the “Task Scheduler” we must go to the rightmost column.
- We click on the “Create basic task” option.
- A new window will open.
- The first thing we must do is enter a name for the task and a description of it. Now, we press “Enter”.
- Automatically, it takes us to the “Unchain” option. We can choose from a set of different options such as every day, only once or when we log in, among others.
- We now move on to “Action” where by default the “Start a program” option is selected. We can change it to “Send an email” or “Show a message”, two options that are deprecated. We leave it at “Start a program.”
- Finally, we must select the program we want to start or enter a script. The script is nothing more than a set of instructions in commands that is more focused on very specific tasks.
- Click on “Browse” to search for the program we want to start.
- Next, click on “Local Disk”.
- Now go to the “Program Files” folder and look for the folder of the program we want to run. If we want Google Chrome to open, we will have to look for the “Google” folder.
- Enter the folders until you find the program icon and double-click on it.
- The program is added and we click on next.
- We verify that everything is as we want and click “Finish”.
It is a not very complicated process that when we get into practice is very useful. If we select “Daily”, “Weekly” and “Monthly” we can program the date and time. In addition, also the days that we want this action to be repeated.
For example, if we want to check work emails mid-morning, we can tell it to open the email manager at 11:00 Monday through Friday. This is just a small example, since we can schedule as many basic tasks as we want.