Top 5 Alternatives to Schedule Windows Tasks.
Windows Task Scheduler is a handy part of the Windows operating system that allows you to automate and schedule applications and various scripts to run whenever and wherever you want. In the hands of an experienced user, you can create real magic with this tool, but it’s not the most user-friendly interface in the world!
Fortunately, there are many third-party alternatives to Windows Task Scheduler to choose from. Some of them make things easier, others add even more advanced features.
Advanced Task Scheduler ($39.95)
Advanced Task Scheduler is a shareware application that you can try for 30 days to make sure it works for you. While it may not be free, the basic version of the apps only costs $ 39.95 and offers a decent set of features for the money.
If you need to service multiple workstations, this can quickly get expensive. However, home users with a single computer that needs better automation may find the price of the features offered is worth it.
Advanced Task Scheduler can launch applications, run scripts, execute batch files, and usually do work without your presence. You can schedule tasks for all users and even schedule “hidden tasks” that happen when no one is logged in.
The list of Advanced Task Scheduler features is quite long, but some of its interesting features include:
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There is also a great deal of flexibility with different types of schedule that can trigger actions when certain conditions are met. These include some quite useful ones, such as when the computer is idle, not is idle, or when a certain hotkey is pressed. The frequency of the schedule is also comprehensive. Starting with running once a minute and ending with running once a year.
If you want more esoteric capabilities (like launching something at a random time), you’ll have to pay for the pro version, but we think the basic package will work for most people.
Task Till Dawn (Free)
Task Till Dawn is a completely free alternative to Windows Task Scheduler that is actually available for both Windows and macOS. Moreover, you can transfer the same workflows between two versions of an application.
If you have multiple workstations that require the same set of automated tasks like backups, you can set up one and then use the Task Till Dawn export feature to easily copy it to any other machine.
Tasks can also be grouped by type to simplify the management and administration of automated tasks.
There are some pretty interesting things you can do with Task Till Dawn. Here are some of the key examples from the developer:
There is also a portable version of the app, so you can run it from a USB stick! All in all, for a completely free app, Task Till Dawn is one of the most flexible and user-friendly alternatives we’ve ever seen.
Z-Cron Scheduler (Free for Personal Use)
Z-Cron is a free version task scheduler that has almost all the features an average user would need. However, there are paid versions designed specifically for workstations and servers used in professional contexts. It’s free for personal use only, which is a very kind gesture from the developer.
Z-Cron can do almost the same thing as Windows Task Scheduler. You can start the software at any given time, start it with specific parameters, and then stop it when the job is done. It’s pretty easy to use, is a great replacement for Windows Task Scheduler, and most users probably won’t have to pay for the fancy version.
RoboIntern (Free)
As the name suggests, RoboIntern is a software package designed to automate your day to day work routines. Unlike the general purpose task scheduler, RoboIntern is specifically designed to automate tasks in Excel, Access and Word. It can also perform many useful functions with email, file management, and ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) databases.
There is also a scripting option, allowing you to program complex operations according to your specific needs. RoboIntern is so smart that it’s hard to believe that the program is completely free. It is technically a donation program, but at the time of writing, the donation page has not yet been launched.
So what can you do? First of all, RoboIntern can dig right into the core Microsoft Office applications and perform operations. One that will delight many is the ability to automatically import data from Excel into Access. Two other features that we really love are the ability to automatically generate emails and offer automated reporting.
RoboIntern has a lot of potential, but there is no room here to do it justice. Luckily, you can find out for free!
System Scheduler (Free Version With $30 Pro Option)
System Scheduler is another free alternative to Windows Task Scheduler that might be the most direct replacement on this list. It looks like Splinterware wrote this little app to be more or less a replacement for the original Windows. You can also run both programs on the same computer without any problem. The system scheduler is in no way dependent on the Windows Task Scheduler. He does everything on his own.
The free version of the program includes several interesting features. In terms of personal time management, you can program pop-up reminders to inform you of the things you would like to do. You can launch applications at specific times and then replay a series of keystrokes and mouse clicks to make them perform specific tasks. It also has a handy Window Watcher feature.
Usually, when a certain window appears (like an error message), you can use it as a trigger. Perhaps when your FTP connection is down, you can close the pop-up and reconnect. This way you can be sure that important processes do not crash while the system is unattended.
There is also a professional version of the software that you will need to pay for. However, the Pro version of System Scheduler has significant advantages. Especially its ability to operate as a system service. This means that it can perform tasks even if no one is logged in.
Many advanced features of the paid version are useful for regular users as well. You can try the trial and then decide if the added bells and whistles are worth the $ 30 asking price. We think so, but each user will have to decide for himself.
Right On Time!
If you do a lot of repetitive tasks or tasks that you keep forgetting about all the time, a good task scheduler can change your computer experience. By automating parts of your workflow through judicious use of these apps, you can spend more time on yourself and not miss out on important tasks like regular backups.
While we believe these are some of the best alternatives to Windows Task Schedulers, feel free to contribute your own suggestions in the comments. Tell us which planners you use and why you like them!
- Termination of processes.
- Copy, move and delete files.
- Download from HTTP and FTP sources.
- Sending specific key sequences.
- Automatically connect to network drives at startup.
- Print any files you send to a specific folder.
- Copy files from the connected USB device as soon as you connect it.
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