The Microsoft Task Scheduler is an amazing little FREE tool that in most cases comes already with your Windows installation and resides in the Control Panel.
What is Task Scheduler?
Task Scheduler is a component of Microsoft Windows that provides the ability to schedule the launch of programs or scripts at pre-defined times or after specified time intervals. It was first introduced in the Windows 95 Plus! pack as System Agent but was renamed to Task Scheduler in Windows 98. The service requires Event Log service be active to run.
Version of Task Scheduler
Task Scheduler 1.0
Task Scheduler 1.0 is included with Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. It runs as a Windows Service, and the task definitions and schedules are stored in binary .job files. Tasks are manipulated directly by manipulating the .job files. Each task corresponds to single action. On Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me, the Task Scheduler runs as an application (mstask.exe). It also displays a status icon in the notification area on Windows 95 and Windows 98 and runs as a hidden application on Windows Me. On the Windows NT family of operating systems, it is implemented as a Windows service. Task Scheduler 1.0 exposes an API to programmatically create tasks. It is accessed via the ITaskScheduler COM interface.
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