Windows Server

How to create, edit and delete a scheduled task via the Command Prompt

create scheduled task

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. Kind refer to these related guides: How to create advanced scheduled task on Windows Server with Windows Task Scheduler, how to create a Scheduled task with Windows Admin Centerhow to setup Windows server backup and create backup jobs, and how to create Windows Task Scheduler via the command prompt

Task Scheduler allows you to automate many tasks on Windows 10, 11 a,d on Windows Servers. The Task Scheduler was formerly refferd to as "Scheduled Tasks". Here is a link to all articles relating to task scheduler.

How to use the Command Prompt

Windows Server and Windows 10, by default, have the Task Scheduler, and this enables you to run tasks automatically at a scheduled time. Task schedulers can be used to launch applications, word documents and execute scripts at a scheduled time.

The command prompt can be used to create, edit and delete a scheduled task and below are some flags associated with the executable SCHTASKS.EXE file.

Task Scheduler creates options via Command-line: Here are the options allowing to create and customize a scheduled task via the command-line.

/CREATESpecifies that you want to create a new an automated routine.
/SCDefines the schedule for the task. Options available, include MINUTE, HOURLY, DAILY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY, ONCE, ONSTART, ONLOGON, ONIDLE, and ONEVENT.
/Dspecifies the day of the week to execute the task. Options available, include MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI, SAT, and SUN. If you’re using the MONTHLY option, then you can use 1 – 31 for the days of the month. Also, there’s the wildcard “*” that specifies all day.
/TNSpecifies the task name and location. The “MyTasks\Notepad task” uses the “Notepad task” as the name and stores the task in the “MyTasks” folder. If the folder isn’t available, it’ll be created automatically.
/TRSpecifies the location and the name of the task that you want to run. You can select an app or a custom script.
/STDefines the time to run the task (in 24 hours format).
/QUERYDisplays all the system tasks.
/RUSpecifies the task to run under a specific user account.

Create Scheduled Task: Below are the space to create a scheduled task via the command prompt. Launch the Command Prompt with the Administrator’s right. Below is the command and please modify it to your desired need

Daily: Type the following command to create a daily task

SCHTASKS /CREATE /SC DAILY /TN "FOLDERPATH\TASKNAME" /TR "C:\SOURCE\FOLDER\APP-OR-SCRIPT" /ST HH:MM
edit scheduled task

Weekly: Type the following command to create a weekly task

SCHTASKS /CREATE /SC WEEKLY /D SUN /TN "FOLDERPATH\TASKNAME" /TR "C:\SOURCE\FOLDER\APP-OR-SCRIPT" /ST HH:MM

Monthly: Type the following command to create a monthly task.

SCHTASKS /CREATE /SC MONTHLY /D 15 /TN "FOLDERPATH\TASKNAME" /TR "C:\SOURCE\FOLDER\APP-OR-SCRIPT" /ST HH:MM


To modify (edit) the Task Scheduler option via the Command: In this guide, we are using the following options to create a scheduled task:

/CHANGESpecifies that you want to edit an existing task
/TNSpecifies the name and location of the task that you want to modify
/STDefines the new time to run the automated routine.

These are just some of the available options. Nonetheless, You can learn more about the options to change a scheduled task by running the SCHTASKS /CHANGE /? command.

Command Prompt

Moreover, To delete a scheduled task: Here are some commands associated with the command prompt to delete a scheduled task.

/DELETESpecifies that you want to delete an existing task.
/TNSpecifies the name and location of the task that you want to delete

Furthermore, This was tested on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019. However, If you need any further assistance, please let me know.

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Mark Ayres
Mark Ayres
2 years ago

Great work Christian,

Concise and to the point. I was able to get exactly what I needed quickly

Thanks,
-Mark

Krupa
Krupa
1 year ago

I would like to know, how I can give Start in(optional) path in Task scheduler using command promt?

Last edited 1 year ago by Krupa
Don
Don
2 months ago

I am looking to create a schedule task that would logout current user if they are ldle for more then 60 minutes

Last edited 2 months ago by Don
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