8 Essential Tasks to Automate Using Windows Task Scheduler
Many tasks performed on our computers daily can become monotonous. To enhance your efficiency, consider leveraging Windows automation. With Task Scheduler—a built-in utility in Windows—you can easily schedule those repetitive chores and save precious time.
Using Task Scheduler
Before exploring which tasks to automate, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamentals of task scheduling and automation. Task Scheduler allows you to create both straightforward and complex tasks; just ensure to test each one before relying on it.
1. Create a Reminder
Though there are various reminder-setting techniques, Task Scheduler serves this purpose well, despite Microsoft’s removal of the “display a message”feature.
Launch Notepad or any text editor and input the following:
Substitute “ReminderName” with your chosen reminder title and “ReminderText” with the message you wish to display.
Save the document with a desired name and ensure it has the .cmd extension to enable it as a command file.
Next, open Task Scheduler and click on Create Task in the right-side menu.
In the General tab, assign your reminder task a name. From the Configure for dropdown, select Windows 10—it’s curious Microsoft hasn’t updated this label for Windows 11.
Now, navigate to the Triggers tab and click New.
Set the start time for your task. If it’s on a recurring schedule, determine the frequency and timing.
Click OK, then switch to the Actions tab. Hit New to establish a new action. From the Action dropdown, select Start a program, and use Browse to locate the Notepad file you saved earlier.
When this is configured, you will be reminded via the Command Prompt whenever the trigger you’ve set occurs.
This method can help with daily task reminders, and you can even set different alerts for distinct users.
2. Automate Restore Point Creation
One downside of Windows 11 is its less frequent automatic creation of system restore points compared to earlier versions. However, you can set up Task Scheduler to create these restore points on a regular basis.
Open Task Scheduler, navigating to Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft -> Windows -> System Restore.
Select the SystemRestore folder to view the existing System Restore task. Right-click on it and choose Properties.
Under the Triggers tab, click New to define your preferred schedule. To prevent your hard drive from filling up with numerous restore points, it’s wise to set this up for weekly intervals. If you frequently make changes, you might opt for daily restore points instead.
If you need to delete unnecessary restore points, type Recovery in the Start menu. Click on Recovery (Control Panel), then select Configure System Restore, and click Configure.
Click Delete to remove all current restore points, and remember to create a new one shortly thereafter to replace the deleted points.
3. Schedule Restart, Shutdown, or Hibernate for Your PC
While keeping your computer on is common, regular restarts can improve system performance. Personally, I reboot mine twice a week, and I use Task Scheduler to remind me.
Create a BAT file in Notepad, using one of the following commands:
If Windows isn’t on your C: drive, adjust the drive letter accordingly. This command will shut down Windows after forcibly closing all open applications. To introduce a delay, replace “00” with the desired time in seconds (e.g., “60” provides a one-minute delay).
To have your computer restart, utilize this command:
If you prefer to make your PC sleep, use this command:
Save your BAT file with an appropriate name, like “Shutdown” or “Restart” and the. bat extension.
In Task Scheduler, proceed to Create Task. In the General tab, give your task a title, and under Triggers, create a New trigger similar to how you set the reminder.
Adjust the schedule to your preference, ensuring to set it for at least once a week.
In the Actions tab, choose New, select Start a program, and browse for the BAT file you created. Click OK to save your settings.
To test its functionality after saving, right-click on the task and select Run to keep your files safe.
4. Open Your Favorite Browser and Websites
Each day, I find myself opening my browser and a set list of websites to kick off my work. Although it takes little time, why not streamline it using Task Scheduler? A single setup can open both the browser and necessary sites every time your PC boots.
Open Task Scheduler, and choose Create task. In the General tab, assign a name to your task. Then, select New in the Triggers tab, decide when the task should start, and press OK to save.
Under the Actions tab, click New. Select the option Start a program, and browse to the executable file for your browser. If you only wish to start the browser, save your changes by clicking OK. To configure sites to open simultaneously, continue to the following steps.
In the Add arguments field, input the URLs of the websites you want to open, separating each with a space.
Confirm your changes by clicking OK on each window. To test run your task, right-click and select Run.
5. Open Applications using Task Scheduler
You can automate the launch of any applications just like you did for the browser in the previous section. For example, I often set up my browser to open at logon alongside LibreOffice Writer for multitasking.
To schedule an app for automatic launch, follow the same steps as those used for the browser, pointing to the executable of the application you wish to open.
You can add multiple actions within a single task if needed. For example, consider creating a “Morning Routine”task that launches your web browser, email client, and any other essential applications all at once.
6. Open Specific Files
Launching apps is valuable, but directly opening specific files can be even more beneficial. Some users automate reports through tasks configured to run macros in Excel, Word, or similar software. Personally, I like to automate my project spreadsheets for immediate access to accounting details and notes.
In the Triggers section, choose a new trigger based on a specific schedule or during system startup/logon.
Within Actions, add a new action and navigate to your file in the Program/script box.
Finish saving your task by clicking OK at each window prompt.
7. Automatically Empty Your Recycle Bin
If you’re like me and regularly store files in the Recycle Bin, you might forget how much disk space they consume. After implementing a Task Scheduler task to empty the bin automatically, my computer runs more smoothly. Just consider setting a prior reminder to check for any mistakenly deleted files.
Open Task Scheduler and create a new task, naming it something related to the Recycle Bin. Under Triggers, specify how often this task should run—daily, weekly, or monthly is often advisable. For many users, weekly or monthly is ideal. Under Actions, enter the following in the Program/script box:
PowerShell.exe
In the Add arguments field, input:
-NoProfile -Command "Clear-RecycleBin -Force"
Complete your task as before by saving it correctly.
8. Automate Daily Journal Entries
Journaling is an excellent practice for tracking personal goals and alleviating stress. However, it can be challenging to find the time. To combat this, I set up a task that launches my preferred journaling app (or any word processor) at an established time each day to remind me to reflect on my day.
Follow the same process as before to create this task. You could even add another action to launch a timer app to keep your writing sessions limited to a specific duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I limit tasks to specific users?
Yes, in the General tab within the Create Task dialog, choose Change User or Group to specify the user(s) for which the task is applicable.
Can I modify an existing task?
Absolutely! Simply double-click any existing task to open it, then make your adjustments. Press OK to save the changes or remove any unnecessary tasks.
How can I efficiently organize my tasks?
As you create more tasks, it may become harder to keep track of them. Organizing tasks into categories is an effective solution.
Right-click on Task Scheduler Library in the sidebar, select New Folder, and assign a name. You can then move tasks by right-clicking and selecting Export. Save them in a convenient location, navigate to your new folder, and opt for Import in the right pane to bring them back.
Before creating new tasks, open your designated folder to streamline the process and avoid exporting afterwards.
What if I need to set up a more elaborate task?
If your needs involve automating clicks or detailed actions, consider using Power Automate instead. Additionally, there are various browser extensions that can help with automation.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots are by Crystal Crowder.
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