Task Scheduler for developers

This topic and the other topics in this section are for a developer audience. If you’re wishing to use the the Task Scheduler component in your capacity as an administrator, or an IT Professional, then see Task Scheduler.

About the Task Scheduler

The Task Scheduler enables you to automatically perform routine tasks on a chosen computer. Task Scheduler does this by monitoring whatever criteria you choose (referred to as triggers) and then executing the tasks when those criteria are met.

You can use the Task Scheduler to execute tasks such as starting an application, sending an email message, or showing a message box. Tasks can be scheduled to execute in response to these events, or triggers.

• When a specific system event occurs.
• At a specific time.
• At a specific time on a daily schedule.
• At a specific time on a weekly schedule.
• At a specific time on a monthly schedule.
• At a specific time on a monthly day-of-week schedule.
• When the computer enters an idle state.
• When the task is registered.
• When the system is booted.
• When a user logs on.
• When a Terminal Server session changes state.

Developers

The Task Scheduler provides APIs in these forms.

• Task Scheduler 2.0: interfaces and objects are provided for C++, and for scripting development, respectively.
• Task Scheduler 1.0: interfaces are provided for C++ development.

Run-time requirements

The Task Scheduler requires the following operating systems.

• Task Scheduler 2.0: Client requires Windows Vista, or above. Server requires Windows Server 2008, or above.
• Task Scheduler 1.0: Client requires Windows Vista, or Windows XP. Server requires Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2003.

10 Best Free Task Scheduler Software For Windows

Here are 10 best free task scheduler software. All these task scheduling software let you schedule tasks easily. These job scheduling software are available to be downloaded free for your Windows PC. These system scheduler software have various features, like: run any program/open file/open shortcut etc. at the time you set, can give you alert message before executing the job, can set time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months etc., add multiple tasks to its list, run from system tray, can start with Windows, can shut down your computer at the specified time, and more. You can try these free system scheduler software and find which one you like better.

You can try these best free PDF to Word and Time Management software.

System Scheduler

System Scheduler is a free software that lets you schedule you tasks. In other words you can say: you can run any program or open any file at any particular time you set. It helps you to automate your particular actions. You can add events to its list like run application, popup reminder, and window watcher as per your needs. It works from the system tray. It is very lightweight and easy to use application.

Task Till Dawn

Task Till Dawn is a free and easy to use task scheduling software. It lets you schedule programs, files, and shortcuts to execute at particular time or period. You can add multiple tasks to its list and can set the time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, or others according to your need. It minimizes to system tray and runs in the background. You can use it by extracting it to any particular folder. It does not require installation.

Freebyte Task Scheduler

Freebyte Task Scheduler is a free and simple task scheduler software. It lets you schedule programs (run them) for specified time. You can add multiple programs to its list. You can add, delete, or modify tasks according to your needs. It also has an option to execute the tasks prematurely. To use it, you have to minimize it to your taskbar. It does not require installation and can be used as a portable software.

Z-Cron

Z-Cron is a free task scheduler software (free for personal use). It lets you do various types of tasks to schedule at particular time (minimum 5 minutes interval for e.g. 12:30, 12:35 etc.). You can open any particular file, a program, or a shortcut at a chosen time. You can also choose from various predefined tasks from Tools. It has various settings for periods. It runs in the background and to stop it you have to use Windows Task Manager to end its process.

Solway’s Task Scheduler

Solway’s Task Scheduler is a tiny and easy to use software for task scheduling. It lets you schedule your tasks on your PC easily. You can open programs, files, play music files, run batch files etc. at the time you set. You can add multiple tasks to its list. You can check the option of running it at Windows startup. It minimizes on system tray. You can do other various tasks too by using it.

SwizzTool

SwizzTool is a free task scheduling software for Windows. It lets you schedule tasks at particular times. It has reminders also. To use it as a task scheduler you have to first add a new task from its icon in system tray by right clicking on it. You can add files or programs to open. Now in the second part you have to create or set a new alarm with Run Task enabled. Select the task as you added previously in first step and it will execute the specific task at the time you set the alarm.

Schedule Manager

Schedule Manager is a very simple and easy to use task scheduler software. It lets you add, delete, or edit tasks easily. You can choose from various default action types to occur at specified time or you can set your own. You can set the occurrence of the task as per your requirement (for e.g. minutes, hours, days, weekly, once etc.). You can run programs, open files etc. by configuring its tasks.

Process-Timer

Process-Timer is a small and simple to use process scheduling software. It lets you add a program or file to its list to execute at the specified time. It can also shut down your computer at the time you set. You can browse for a program or any document file to open at particular time by adding it to its list. It shows the message in the system tray before executing the task. You can set only one task at a time to it.

TimeComX Basic

TimeComX Basic is simple time scheduling software. It lets you schedule tasks like run/open file or application at a particular time. You can create a profile in it so it can be used later. It is good for launching single event for the specified time. To use it for multiple tasks you have to create multiple profiles in its list. You can set the execution time in minutes, hours, days etc. It has various other functions too.

Kana Reminder

Kana Reminder is a simple and easy to use task scheduling software. It lets you schedule run programs or files at the specified time. It has a password option to set for a reminder list. You can add multiple items to its list. It can display a message also at the set time. It sits in the system tray and is easy to configure.

5+ best Windows task scheduler software to download

• A task scheduler is a productivity-driven software solution that you can use on your Windows PC at home or at work. Instead of wasting time doing repetitive tasks, you can make them run automatically.
• Windows has Task Scheduler to automate tasks using triggers, actions, conditions, and other settings. Some PC users find it intimidating, but they can turn to easy third-party solutions on this list instead.
• If you prefer sticking to Microsoft’s tool, here’s how you can use the Windows Task Scheduler efficiently.
• Visit our Productivity section to check out more cool guides!

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If you run a busy office, that is a healthy indication of growth and productivity.

It’s also a good indication that you need a reliable system for scheduling tasks, managing appointments, and keeping track of your clients.

This is where a scheduler software comes in handy. A scheduler software lets you schedule tasks easily.

It can open and run any program on your PC, add multiple tasks to its list and give you alert messages before executing any task.

You can also command the scheduler software to shut down or start the computer at a specified time and do more.

The native Windows Task Manager can also do some scheduling but it’s limited in functionality as it only allows users to start or end processes.

Scheduler software programs, on the other hand, are pretty smart and can do more; they can work as a good reminder system and you can even schedule them to set up impromptu scans.

In this article, we will discuss the best free Windows scheduler software.

What are the best free Windows scheduler software?

AnyTime Organizer Standard

AnyTime Organizer has all the tools to get the job as your best personal assistant. And its best and first asset is the fact that it has a very simple and friendly user interface.

If you want to manage contacts, calendars, to-do lists, expenses, this tool can help you with any and all of them not only for your personal use, but also for your work.

And talking about work, this tool will make you even more productive by helping you set up appointments, calls, tasks and even whole events.

You can keep separate calendars for different projects or for work and private life, you can add recurring events and all that by easily drag and dropping them.

And as a collaboration feature, you can also save a schedule as PDF and email it right away to the whole team.

Another great feature is that you can personalize all your data with over 3,000 layout design combination and 15 base themes so you will surely find what you need. And if not, you can create your own!

This organizer software has it all so hit the button below and start organizing your life and work.

AnyTime Organizer Standard

This personal assistant software has all the tools to organize all your work and life so you can greately reduce stress.

Freebyte Task Scheduler

The Freebyte Task Scheduler is a very effective freeware for task scheduling. You can use it to automatically start programs at pre-defined times.

Available for both Windows and Linux, Freebyte Task Scheduler is a zero-install program that makes it possible for you to schedule multiple programs to launch at different times.

The entire program is wrapped up in a single .exe file that you can save on a USB flash drive, making it very portable. As for the interface, it’s easy to navigate and simple to use.

The application also lets you perform other auxiliary tasks such as full system scans, cleanup, and defragmentation.

Desktop Reminder

If you are running Windows 10 and simplicity is one of your greatest concerns in a scheduler software, then Desktop Reminder will do you good.

This amazing program lets you add and manage tasks efficiently. It includes a unique set of features such as date navigator, full calendar, color-coded categories, and a task list that has visual indicators for different types of tasks.

In addition to that, Desktop Reminder comes with other goodies such as automatic time formatting based on different time zones, alarm with customized messages, and automatic notifications for urgent tasks.

It has a clean interface which you can also customize to fit your likes and preferences.

System Scheduler

System Scheduler is a free software that lets you schedule tasks as well as provide regular reminders as pop-ups.

The program allows you to automate particular actions by running, opening, or closing some programs at a specific time set by you. You can add as many tasks as you wish, run applications, and set pop-up reminders.

For reminders, you can select your favorite audio file as the alert tone as well as allow snoozing. It also allows you to choose which keystrokes activate what programs.

You can even set the program to automatically run for a whole year.

Task Till Dawn

Task Till Dawn is a powerful task scheduler software available for both Windows and Mac OS X.

This is a multilingual program (English, French, Spanish, and German) that can execute repetitive tasks at pre-defined time or intervals.

You can create multiple tasks and set the time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months or others depending on what and how you want the tasks performed.

Some tasks can be delayed, especially those that require internet connection to be executed. If a delay was caused by slow or no internet connection, Task Till Dawn displays that error along with other errors in the task list.

Z-Cron Scheduler

The Z-Cron Scheduler is a free and robust windows scheduler software that lets you schedule various tasks at different time intervals. Z-Cron serves as a central coordination point for all tasks.

In addition to the time controlled running of applications, the program performs other auxiliary functions such as directory cleaning, leaving reminders, starting and shutting down the computer.

Quite similar to the Unix Cron, Z-Cron scheduler is more powerful and can launch all kinds of programs at pre-defined times. You can also configure it to run automatically at the Windows startup.

You can also configure it to send status confirmation via email or Microsoft Messenger service. Z-Cron Scheduler is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista.

Scheduling software is one of the networks of business solutions designed to automate the handling of tasks, simplify your business operations while enhancing your business growth.

The list above highlights the best freeware programs that will help you organize and run tasks smoothly.

There are other advanced scheduler programs (not free) such as Acuity Scheduling that provides convenient functions such as allowing you to invoice and collect payments when a client schedules their visits.

Have you used any of these programs? Let us hear your experiences in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the use of Task Scheduler?

The Task Scheduler automates tasks of processes and services to deliver a superior Windows experience. For instance, if you have multiple programs running at startup, you can use the Task Scheduler to delay some of them so that your PC won’t freeze at boot due to heavy resource usage.

How do you automate Task Scheduler?

Check out this complete guide about how to use the Windows Task Scheduler if you want to learn more about automated tasks, including triggers, actions, conditions, and task settings.

How do I fix Task Scheduler?

If the Windows Task Scheduler isn’t running properly anymore, use our quick fixes to repair it in no time. You just have to check some settings to make sure the tool works the way it should. Otherwise, use one of the third-party software solutions we described above.