Create a scheduled task from an aplication in c#

Question

Hi.
I need to know if there is a way to create a programmed task from an aplication in c#.
Thanks for yours comments.

Answer 1

What is a programmed task?

 

Answer 2

What exactly is a "programmed task" ?

Answer 3

Ok, I did not use the right name..

Change it for "scheduled task"

 

Thanks..

Answer 4

Take a look at the Task Scheduler API: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa383614.aspx

 

On Vista the API has been extended in several areas, but it's still a COM API.  So you need to add a reference to the TaskScheduler type library and use the types from there - they are very .NET friendly.  You'll find several examples under the link above.

Answer 5

Thank you for your reply. I found this API, but there is a restriction (I believe). The documentation said the following:

 

Developer Audience

The Task Scheduler provides APIs for the following developers:

• Task Scheduler 1.0: Interfaces are provided for C++ development.
• Task Scheduler 2.0: Interfaces and objects are provided for C++ and scripting development respectively.

 

It means that there are not way to do that in C# ??

Answer 6

 

It is supported from C#, it's a COM interface.  Add a reference to the TaskScheduler type library like I wrote above, and you'll be able to work with it from C# like any other COM object.

Answer 7

Thank you Sasha.

I found a very simple way to reach the objective (to create a scheduled task, using a c# application).

It isn´t a "elegant" way, but in my case, is the best solution (implementation time, easily, etc)

In your application, you can create a .bat file with the next command line inside:

at 14:15 /interactive notepad.exe

Then, you execute your .bat from you application, and a new task will be created at the time that you specified.

 

Is only a way, but the "at" command have a lot of options..

See you..

 

Answer 8

Instead of using code, you can do it using 'SCHTASKS' command, run it using System.Diagnostic.Process.Start method with the parameters required. It's easy and not much effort required.

Answer 9

I have created one C# application which can able to create a programmed task using Task Scheduler. But the problem is the task scheduler pops up a black (console like) "taskeng.exe" window. The window comes in front of all other windows. Is there a way to avoid this window and running in background

Answer 10

You can try using the library at http://taskscheduler.codeplex.com/ as it wraps the COM interfaces and allows for simpler interactions from C# or VB.NET. It also automatically switches between the 1.0 and 2.0 COM interfaces depending on which OS version you are using.