It can get pretty tiring when you have to run batch files over and over again during certain times or events on your computer. Luckily, Windows offers a way for you to automate that process so you don’t have to manually do it all the time.
In this guide, we’re going to show you how to automate a batch file using Task Scheduler.
Should You Schedule Your Batch Files on Windows?
Of course, not all batch files need to be automated. But if they contain tasks that you need to perform consistently, then automating the process will ensure that you don’t skip a beat. For example, if youcreated a batch file to automate repetitive tasks, such as creating a backup or opening certain programs when you log into your computer, then it makes sense that you might automate those batch files.
It is an efficient way to ensure that you don’t forget to run the batch file at specific times or when certain events happen. Not to mention that it also saves you time and effort, especially if you have a lot of batch files to run, allowing you to be more productive.
Scheduling a Batch File to Run Automatically on Windows
To start the batch file automation process, you’ll have toopen Task Scheduler. To do that, click onSearchin the Taskbar and entertask schedulerin the search box. In the results, clickTask Schedulerto open the app.
In the right panel, underActions, click onCreate Basic Task.
Give the task a descriptive name and then click onNext. TheDescriptionpart is optional, but it’s good practice to fill it in so you don’t forget what the task does.
Pick a trigger, which is when you want the task to run, by clicking on the appropriate radio button, and then click onNext. In our example, we pickedDaily, meaning we want to run the task every day.
Each trigger has its own parameters that you need to set. For theDailytrigger, you have to pick the day and time it starts, as well as how many days the task will recur. Once you set those, clickNext.
Now, you need to select an action, and for our batch file, will are going to select theStart a programradio button and clickNext.
UnderProgram/Scriptclick onBrowse, select the batch file you want to automate, and then click onNext.
Finally, clickFinish. Now, Task Scheduler will run that batch depending on the trigger you set, which isDailyin our case
Removing the Batch File From the Task Scheduler
When you no longer wish to run the batch file, you can easily disable the task, which will just stop it until you enable it again, or remove it from Task Scheduler completely.
To do that, open Task Scheduler (as shown above) and select the task you automated, which will be in the middle panel. In the right panel, underActions, click on eitherDisableto stop it for now orDeleteto remove it from Task Scheduler.
If you clicked onDelete, confirm your action by clickingYesin the popup. That means if you want to automate the batch file again, you’ll have to do the scheduling process all over (as shown in the previous section).
If you clicked onDisableinstead, you can enable it again by selecting the task in Task Scheduler and clicking onEnable(where theDeletebutton used to be). This will resume running the batch file at the times you scheduled or after the event you told it to look out for.
Run Your Batch Files Automatically on Windows
If you’re getting tired of running the same batch files over and over or know you’re prone to forgetting to run them, then you should consider automating them. You don’t need special knowledge to do so either, as Windows makes it easy to do with the Task Scheduler. You can also stop the automation process at any time by disabling or deleting the task.
