Asynchronous Task Scheduler actions

Question

Explanation

I want to run a few programs / files on logon, so I'm using Task Scheduler, rather than the Startup folder or scripts, because certain programs require UAC elevation and Task Scheduler's "Run with highest privileges" will suppress prompts, I believe.

 

Problem

The first action never exits properly, so, as task actions are synchronous, only the first action is ever run.

So, does anyone know how to make tasks asynchronous or have any other suggestions?

 

Setup

Answer 1

I came here based on a comment discussion on SO

Honestly, I have programs in my startup menu which require admin privledges that seem to run fine without any intervention on my part.

Have you tried to put these programs in the Group Policy Logon/off Scripts? Under Computer Configuration, Windows Settings. I'm not sure if this will work for you. There may be some other solution based on Group Policies - but they go a bit over my head.

However, I came to post my comment as requested - which I've modified it based on your actual question:

Task Scheduler tasks run in sequence rather than simultaneously. If you want all tasks to run at the same time (in parallel) the easiest would be to create multiple tasks to run at the same time (or on the same event, e.g. At Logon). Use the 'Delay task' advanced option to stagger their start order if desired.

Answer 2

I have a batch file that starts each program. Because I want all the programs to run asyncronously AND also with a delay between each one (as the first 2 programs take around 10-15 seconds to fully start-up), I use 'ping localhost -n 15 >nul' between each program line for the delays.

Works very well and means I only have one Task in TS.

Example batch file:

@echo off
::Start prog 1
"C:\Program Files\prog1\prog1.exe"

::Need to wait 15 seconds for it to start
ping localhost -n 15 >nul

:: Start prog 2
:: Further progs & delays here if required, etc,etc...

Answer 3

Because the first program in the list of actions that started is still running, the waiting script handler in the task scheduler will never run the second program until the first completes. It's meant to start either a single program/action or a series of short running actions. Here, you want to run each action as a separately scheduled task.

Answer 4

You can run a scheduled task from a batch file by using the following command:

C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe /run /tn "????????"

Where ???????? is the name of the scheduled task. For example, if you create a folder under Task Scheduler Library named MyApps, and under that you create a task called Fraps, your command will look like this:

C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe /run /tn "MyApps\Fraps"

You can even use this in a shortcut to launch fraps directly without UAC.

But in this case, I would simply start Fraps first, then in the General tab tick the option Run Fraps when Windows starts.