Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Scheduling a Batch File

Once a batch file is created, it can be scheduled to run at any time. How the batch file (ListPatches.bat) created in the previous exercise can be scheduled. This exercise assumes the \\srv1\Patches share exists as mentioned in the previous exercise.

Scheduling a Batch File

1. Launch Windows Explorer, and create a folder named Scripts in the C: drive.
2. Copy the ListPatches.bat file created in the previous exercise to the C:\Scripts folder.
3. Launch the Task Scheduler by clicking Start, typing Task in the search box, and selecting Task Scheduler from the search results. You can also access the Task Scheduler from the Administrative Tools menu.
4. When Task Scheduler launches, select Create Basic Task from the Action pane on the right of the window.
5. Name the task Document Patches and put in a description if desired. Click Next.
6. On the Trigger page, select Weekly and click Next.
7. Select Thursday and set the time to 3:00 PM to cause the script to run every Thursday afternoon at 3:00. Click Next.
8. On the Action page, select Start A Program and click Next.
9. Browse to C:\Scripts and select the ListPatches.bat file you copied to this location earlier. Click Next.
10. Select the check box "Open the Properties dialog for this task when click Finish" and then click Finish.
11. The Properties page will appear with the General tab selected. Click the Change User Or Group button.
12. Enter System as the user and click OK. This will cause the script to run using the System account instead of your account. Your display will look similar to the following graphic. Click OK.
13. Test your task using the following steps:
    • Select Task Scheduler Library within the Task Scheduler, and locate your task.
    • Right-click your task and select Run. Notice that you won't get any feedback indicating success or failure of the task.
    • Select the History tab of the task in the middle pane. It should show that the task completed with a time stamp.
    • Browse to the Patches share. Verify that the file has been copied to this share.

Note that you can use this script on as many computers as you like within your network to document the patches that are currently installed. If you need to verify that a certain patch has been installed on a certain computer, it's as simple as accessing the share and opening the text file to get your answer.

Of course, that's a lot of steps to create the task on all of your computers. If only there was a way to automate this process. How about a script? See Next Section....