Microsoft introduced the Windows Task Scheduler several years ago. It’s one of those useful little tools that not too many people know about but comes in rather useful from time to time.

As the name implies, Task Scheduler allows you to set up an “appointment” to accomplish a task or run a program at a point or recurring time in the future. The scheduler is used by many programs already. For example, when you configure your antivirus software to update itself at 1:00 in the morning, it probably uses the Task Scheduler to store that information. If you have backup software, or for that matter, almost any software, that runs or updates something on a given schedule, it’s probably using the Windows Scheduler.

With a few simple steps, so can you.

Let’s say, for example, you want to defragment your hard drive on a regular basis (highly recommended, see my December 31 post 7.5 Ways to a Faster PC), but don’t want it interfering with your work and you don’t want to have to remember to do it before you finish for the day – a perfect reason to use the Task Scheduler.

To run the task scheduler, you need to access Control Panel or Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scheduled Tasks. The Task Manager may already have some items in it, your antivirus updates perhaps?

You can use the built-in Wizard to quickly set up your task by double-clicking the “Add Scheduled Task” option. Selecting “Next” will take you to the list of programs you can run in your schedule.

If you’re using my Windows Defragmenter example, the Windows Disk Defragmenter, happens to not be in the list so we’ll select “Browse“. We need to browse to C:\WINDOWS\System32 and find the Defrag module (defrag.exe) and select “Open“.

Next, you’ll be prompted to give the task a meaningful name (I used “Weekly Defrag“) and set a schedule as to when you want to run it. Click Next.

Here you get to pick the day of the week and time of day to run your task (I picked Thursday at 11:00 pm). Click Next.

If you use a password to log into your system, you may be prompted to do that now. This is that Windows can run the task using your credentials, even it your computer is locked or logged out.

The final screen will show you what you’ve select to run and when and voila! When you look at the task scheduler next time, your new task should be there.

If you’re using my Defrag example, you’ll need to make one additional change. Right-click on the task you’ve just added and select “Properties“. In the little box that says “Run“, you’ll see “c:\WINDOWS\system32\defrag.exe“. Put a space and “C:” (or what ever drive you want to defrag) after that so it reads “c:\WINDOWS\system32\defrag.exe C:” and press “Apply.”

Deleting your new tasks is as simple as right-clicking and selecting “Delete“. You can modify a task too. If you’re a little more familiar with Windows, you can access the “Advanced Options” and play with a whole host of bells and whistles. Finally, you can test your task by right-clicking and selecting “Run“.

You can use the Task Manager for many things, starting and stopping processes, launching your email just before you get to work (a built-in office assitant right there for you…just need to figure out how to get the coffee machine hooked up to the PC).

Anyway, have fun but be careful!

Additional Information Resources

Microsoft’s Task Scheduler for Windows XP page

Microsoft’s Task Scheduler for Windows Vista page

Microsoft’s Task Scheduler for Windows 2000 page

Dave
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I remember, several years ago, working on the trading floor at a Wall Street company. There was an old IBM PC XT in a closet. No one knew what it did, but no one dared switch it off because it did something important and had been doing so for about 10 years.

They don’t make them like that any more.

The life expectancy of a PC is three to five years. There are many out there that have been around longer, I know, but software does tend to force upgrades.

When times are tough, people tend to cut back, and I speak from experience. Unfortunately, there is a semi-constant demand from your computer for your time and money. Consider license renewals, Internet costs, online memberships etc…and of course, the computer always seem to get slower and slower…

Here’s a list of 10 things you can look at that may help save you some money in the short run by improving your computer’s performance and extending it’s life a while longer.

1 Give your PC a RAM boost. RAM (Random Access Memory) is where the work takes place when your computer is on. When you switch on your PC, Windows is loaded into RAM, as are the programs and data you use to work. When RAM is filled up, Windows uses the hard drive to store temporary data and switches back and forth between the hard drive and RAM as needed. This can seriously slow you down, especially if you run many programs at once. Some new memory will boost this work space and speed up your computer. Windows XP does have a (just over) 3 gigabyte limit. So, if you’ve already got 3 gigabytes in your PC, any more won’t be used, it’s over to Vista for you. Many people don’t have that much and upgrading is very easy and inexpensive. If you visit www.crucial.com, they have a little utility you can run that will test your computer, figure out what memory you have and what you can do to expand it. Upgrading RAM isn’t a long-term for speed, but if it means not buying a new computer for another year…?

2 Lose the Bells and Whistles. Desktop tool bars, web browser addons, weather updates and anything that has to go out to the Internet for updates can slow down both your computer and your Internet speed. Do you really need three tool bars and the weather in two places and a cute little changing photo on your desktop?

3 Clean it Up. Delete or archive what you no longer use. Check to see if there are any online services you’re paying for that you don’t use. Those small amounts add up!

4 Free is Good. Last time I checked, the basic Microsoft office was over $200. OpenOffice.org is free. OpenOffice.org is a collaboration between Sun Microsystems and web programmers. It’s fully Office compatible and, did I mention, free. It doesn’t come with an email package, but Outlook is available as a standalone product. OpenOffice does take a little getting used to, like any new software, but it will read and save your Excel, Word and PowerPoint files just fine.

5 Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance. Keep up your basic computer maintenance, including defragmenting your disk, compressing old files and archiving emails. I posted a blog entry 7.5 Ways to a Faster PC.

6 Too Much Going On? Check the system tray, that’s the box in the lower right corner of the Windows tool bar How many icons are there and what do they do? Move your mouse pointer over them to find out. Many programs, in an attempt to be helpful, may load themselves into memory even though you use them once in a blue moon.

7 Email. If you use Outlook, how often are you sending/receiving? If it’s every couple of minutes, consider changing the interval. Outlook is notoriously heavy on the computer at send/receive time.

8 Security Software. Many people use security “bundles” such as McAfee’s Total Protection. Right now, you can get 3 PC coverage from them for $39.99 for one year. That includes firewall, spam protection, surfing protection and anti-virus. If you are a Cox high speed Internet user, in some places (such as here in Arizona), you get the whole McAfee suite for free as part of your service. Just log into your Cox.net account (if you don’t have one, you’ll need a bill for information) and select “Internet Tools”. It’s the same product that you pay for if you buy from McAfee. While “free” is good, I personally am a little hesitant about free security products, but that’s just my own opinion. But free is better than none.

9 Daily Exercises. Do your “Windows Updates” on a regular basis. Microsoft and many hardware manufacturers release updates to improve the performance of Windows.

10 Unclogging the Drains. Consider a registry optimization tool such as RegistryFix.com, but I urge caution if you’re not particularly technical. Any time you touch the registry there is some risk, so run the software with due caution or speak to a computer professional.

Dave

PS – Remember that old computer hardware should disposed of properly, as much of it contains elements that cannot go in the trash or is considered hazardous waste.