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Task SchedulerAutomationWindows5 min read

Schedule tasks with Task Scheduler

Automate tasks with Task Scheduler to run scripts on defined schedules or system events.

Task Scheduler automates recurring tasks on Windows Server: backups, maintenance scripts, application restarts and more.

Open Task Scheduler

powershell
taskschd.msc

Create a task via PowerShell

Example 1: Run a script daily at 3 AM

powershell
$action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "powershell.exe" -Argument "-File C:\scripts\backup.ps1"
$trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Daily -At 3:00AM
$settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -StartWhenAvailable -DontStopOnIdleEnd

Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Daily Backup" -Action $action -Trigger $trigger -Settings $settings -User "SYSTEM" -RunLevel Highest

Example 2: Run every 5 minutes

powershell
$action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "powershell.exe" -Argument "-Command Invoke-WebRequest -Uri http://localhost:3000/health"
$trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Once -At (Get-Date) -RepetitionInterval (New-TimeSpan -Minutes 5) -RepetitionDuration (New-TimeSpan -Days 365)

Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Health Check" -Action $action -Trigger $trigger -User "SYSTEM"

Example 3: Run at system startup

powershell
$action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "node.exe" -Argument "C:\apps\myapp\index.js" -WorkingDirectory "C:\apps\myapp"
$trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -AtStartup
$settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -RestartCount 3 -RestartInterval (New-TimeSpan -Minutes 1)

Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Start My App" -Action $action -Trigger $trigger -Settings $settings -User "SYSTEM" -RunLevel Highest

Manage tasks

powershell
# List all tasks
Get-ScheduledTask | Where-Object {$_.State -ne 'Disabled'}

# Run a task immediately
Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Daily Backup"

# Disable a task
Disable-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Health Check"

# Enable a task
Enable-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Health Check"

# Remove a task
Unregister-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Old Task" -Confirm:$false

View task history

powershell
Get-WinEvent -LogName Microsoft-Windows-TaskScheduler/Operational | Select-Object -First 20

Troubleshooting

  • Task doesn't run: Check "Run whether user is logged on or not" is selected
  • Access denied: Use SYSTEM account or ensure the user has "Log on as a batch job" right
  • Script doesn't execute: Use full paths and test the command manually first

Tip

For Node.js or Python applications that need to run continuously, Task Scheduler with "At startup" trigger is a simple alternative to installing them as Windows services on your Baires Host VPS.

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