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Task Scheduler overview

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Task Scheduler overview

Using Task Scheduler, you can schedule any script, program, or document to run at a time that is most convenient for you.

When you first install your Windows Server 2003 family operating system, the Task Scheduler service is enabled. By default, you must be a member of the Administrators, Backup Operators, or Server Operators group on the local computer, to view, add, edit, or delete scheduled tasks, or to disable, pause, or restart the Task Scheduler service. For more information, see Task Scheduler and Security.

With Task Scheduler, you can:

  • Schedule a task to run daily, weekly, monthly, or at certain times (such as system startup).

  • Change the schedule for a task.

  • Stop a scheduled task.

  • Customize how a task runs at a scheduled time.

Each scheduled task you create is stored as a .job file in the \Windows\Tasks folder. The .job file contains the properties and configuration information for the task. You can create a scheduled task on your computer and then drag the .job object over to a remote computer. After you drag a task from one computer to another, you must update the account information for the task before it will run. Removing a scheduled task removes only the .job file from the schedule. The program file the task runs is not removed from the hard disk.

For tips on using Task Scheduler, see Task Scheduler Best practices.