How to Schedule Tasks with Windows Task Scheduler

Windows Task Scheduler lets you automate scripts, programs, and maintenance jobs on a time-based or event-based trigger. This guide covers creating a basic scheduled task from the GUI and from PowerShell.

Create a Task via GUI

Open Task Scheduler from the Start menu. Click Create Basic Task and follow the wizard to set a trigger (Daily, Weekly, etc.) and action (Start a Program).

Create a Task via PowerShell

$action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "powershell.exe" -Argument "-File C:scriptsackup.ps1"
$trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Daily -At 2am
Register-ScheduledTask -Action $action -Trigger $trigger -TaskName "NightlyBackup" -RunLevel Highest