Windows x is a powerful and complex operating organization, capable of millions of different tasks across a wide diverseness of different devices. Most of us won't use the vast majority of these on a day-to-24-hour interval basis, only some can be extremely useful in saving time and streamlining your workflow.

Ane such instance is scheduled tasks, which are unremarkably created via Windows x's dedicated Job Scheduler app.

What is a scheduled task in Windows ten?

Put simply, a scheduled task is an automation of a procedure that would otherwise take to be carried out manually. Windows 10 already automates a number of tasks in this mode, like downloading updates and conveying out system maintenance tasks. These are usually set to take identify during the nighttime, when your PC is least likely to be in use.

The Task Scheduler app works by monitoring the time your device is gear up to and executing the commands at the specified time. This tin can be a simple command similar 9am every Monday morning, or something more specific similar the third Wed every month at 1am.

How to create a scheduled task in Windows ten

If you take the expertise, you tin can create a Windows 10 command to automate almost any process on your PC. However, for the purposes of this article we'll exist focusing on basic commands. These allow you to

  1. Open the Task Scheduler app. The easiest way to do this is by typing 'task s' into the search bar next to the First Card and clicking the relevant option
    Create scheduled task Windows 10
  2. Before proceeding, information technology's worth right-clicking the 'Task Scheduler Library' in the left pane and choosing 'New Folder'. Give it a meaningful name and click OK, which will split up your created tasks from the existing ones already ready
    Create scheduled task Windows 10
  3. Ensure your new folder is selected and and so choose 'Action' and then 'Create Bones Job...' from the menu at the top of the screen
    Create scheduled task Windows 10
  4. In the window that appears, requite it a proper noun and description that means something to you and click 'Next' For the purposes of this tutorial, I'll be opening the Google Chrome app every day at 9am
  5. Now, select the trigger relevant to your task and click 'Side by side'. For the 'Daily', 'Weekly', 'Monthly' and 'One fourth dimension' options, you'll need to specify the verbal time when you want the action to happen, and exactly how often
    Create scheduled task Windows 10
  6. Click 'Next' and then choose which action. For most tasks, it's 'Offset a plan', every bit Microsoft no longer maintains the 'Send an east-postal service' (triggers e-mail notification with custom bulletin)  and 'Display a message' (text message displays on screen) options. They may notwithstanding work, just information technology's by no means guaranteed
  7. On the side by side screen, you lot'll run into a 'Program/script' field. If you don't know the specific script, click browse to find exactly what you're looking for
    Create scheduled task Windows 10
  8. You also have the option to 'Add together arguments' and 'Kickoff in' criteria, but we'd recommend leaving both empty
  9. Click 'Next', and you should now meet a summary of the job you've created. Click 'Finish' to confirm this is correct
    Create scheduled task Windows 10

The task you've created will now run automatically at the time specified. For more complex commands, you'll need to use Windows PowerShell and select 'Create Job' instead of 'Create Bones Task' from the Action menu.

How to run, edit or delete scheduled tasks on Windows 10

While you volition have fix the tasks to run at a set time, y'all tin also trigger them manually if y'all'd like. To practise and then, right-click the relevant task in the Task Scheduler app and choose 'Run'. This will exist useful if y'all've set up a complex task, less and then if it'due south just to open up an app equally above. To delete information technology instead, click 'Delete' from the aforementioned carte. In the popular-upwardly that appears, click 'Yes' to confirm.

To edit a task, follow the aforementioned instructions equally above, but cull 'Properties'. The steps you went through during setup will now be displayed equally tabs at the top of the window, although everything is all the same fully editable.

Create scheduled task Windows 10

To edit a task, simply right-click it in the Task Scheduler app and choose 'Properties'. The steps you lot went through to a higher place volition now be displayed as tabs at the top of the window, simply it'due south even so fully editable. To delete information technology, only click 'Delete' from the same menu and ostend when the popular-upward appears.
Create scheduled task Windows 10

Bank check out more of our Windows tutorials, which include how to go the most out of your Windows 10 PC.