Windows Vista's New Task Scheduler

The Windows task scheduler has grown up into a powerful tool that allows you to set up events and triggers previously requiring third party software to implement. It not only allows for the standard time based execution of a program, familiar from previous Windows versions, it can execute a series of commands based on anything Windows Vista catches in it's event logs. For example, you can have the task scheduler notify you via e-mail when someone logs into the computer or when the system has been idle for a specified length of time. This new functionality opens up a wide range of functionality, even for home users of Vista.

As you can see in the screen capture, the new task scheduler interface might look a bit intimidating in comparison with the older versions. This is deceptive; using it is fairly straightforward due to excellent design and the nifty helper pane on the right side.

Well, that's great but what can I, as a non system administrator type, use the task scheduler for?

Well, first and foremost, you can use it to wake up to your favorite MP3 file without some poorly thought out Winamp plug-in or purchasing some silly 'alarm clock' software (which is especially redundant, considering nearly all operating systems come with some sort of scheduling tool that accomplishes this very task). Of course, this is without even taking advantage of any of the new functionality built into the improved Vista task scheduler. A more interesting example would be to e-mail you when your anti-virus software discovers something amiss and produces an alert, usually a good sign that your PC has been infected with a virus or some other nasty thing.

These triggers can be anything, really. As long as Windows Vista recognizes it as an event, you can schedule a response to it without needing to know a lick of programming. Even Bluetooth events can be handled. Picture this: You walk in from work with your Bluetooth enabled PDA. Your computer recognizes its presence and begins running a series of commands you put into the scheduler. It opens Firefox to your favorite news page, starts playing your home-from-work play list and even sends your wife's cellular an e-mail letting her know you're home. It can even help recover a stolen laptop. Simply set Vista Task Scheduler up to send an e-mail to a specified web-mail address at each startup. For the most part, could completely ignore this inbox. That is, unless your computer were to be lost or stolen. It would then, as a byproduct of the e-mail system, be sending you the IP address of whomever had your PC in their possession just as soon as it were plugged into a network. This is possible because tasks can now be run even without the user being logged in! While this is only a subset of the functionality offered by tracking programs, it's still fairly powerful and is essentially built in to your Windows Vista now.

The possibilities are endless and you can have a virtually unlimited number of tasks that are triggered by a virtually unlimited number of events. This is another step toward better automation and would tie in quite well with things like x10, which automates even non computerized devices in your home through your desktop PC. Now if I could just teach it to do my grocery shopping ...