Windows 10: Export Task from Task Scheduler in Windows

How to: Export Task from Task Scheduler in Windows

How to Export a Task from Task Scheduler in Windows


Information The Task Scheduler enables you to automatically perform routine tasks on a chosen computer. The Task Scheduler does this by monitoring whatever criteria you choose to initiate the tasks (referred to as triggers) and then executing the tasks when the criteria is met.

You can export a task so that the task is stored in an XML file which can be imported by other users and computers. A task's properties, triggers, actions, conditions, and settings are represented in an XML file.

If you created a task in Task Scheduler, then it would be a good idea to back up the task by exporting it as an XML to make it easy to restore (import) in the future as needed.

This tutorial will show you different ways on how to export a task from Task Scheduler as an .xml file backup in Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Export a Task in Task Scheduler
• Option Two: To Export a Task in Command Prompt
• Option Three: To Export a Task in PowerShell

OPTION ONE [/i] To Export a Task in Task Scheduler
1. Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialog, type taskschd.msc, and click/tap on OK to open Task Scheduler.

2. Navigate to the task folder location (ex: "Task Scheduler Library") in the left pane, select the task (ex: "Create Restore Point on Schedule") you want to export in the middle pane, and click/tap on Export in the far right Actions pane. (see screenshot below)



3. Browse to the location you want to export the task, type in a name you want for the .xml file, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)



4. When finished, you can close Task Scheduler if you like.





OPTION TWO [/i] To Export a Task in Command Prompt


Note For more details about the schtasks and schtasks /Query commands, see: Schtasks.exe (Windows)


1. Open a command prompt.

2. Type the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow schtasks /Query /XML /TN "task folder location\task name" > "%UserProfile%\Desktop\name.xml"







Note Substitute task folder location in the command above with the actual task's folder location (ex: "") like in Task Scheduler below.

Substitute task name in the command above with the actual task's name (ex: "Create Restore Point on Schedule") like in Task Scheduler below.

Substitute name in the command above with the name you want for the exported .xml file.

For example:

Code:

3. You can now move the .xml file on your desktop to where you like as a backup of this task.

4. When finished, you can close the command prompt if you like.





OPTION THREE [/i] To Export a Task in PowerShell


Note For more details about the Export-ScheduledTask command, see: Export-ScheduledTask - Microsoft TechNet


1. Open PowerShell.

2. Type the command below into PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow Export-ScheduledTask -TaskName "task folder location\task name" > "$env:UserProfile\Desktop\name.xml"







Note Substitute task folder location in the command above with the actual task's folder location (ex: "") like in Task Scheduler below.

Substitute task name in the command above with the actual task's name (ex: "Create Restore Point on Schedule") like in Task Scheduler below.

Substitute name in the command above with the name you want for the exported .xml file.

For example:

Code:

3. You can now move the .xml file on your desktop to where you like as a backup of this task.

4. When finished, you can close PowerShell if you like.

That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Import a Task to Task Scheduler in Windows

:)

 

Task Scheduler of Windows 10 has some new features *not*

Task scheduler will no longer find executables which are located in user path.

-> Robust coding of scheduled tasks or scripts requires fully qualified paths for anything other than native system files.

Task Scheduler does not accept spaces for expression to start ("hello 1.txt" won't work). Instead Task Scheduler tries to edit "hello.txt".

-> Again, for robust coding, I would always specify the executable instead of relying on file associations.

Tasks exported with Windows 7 compatibility cannot be imported in Windows 7.


-> Why can't you import the task? Or are you saying that the imported task fails to work?

I exported my Windows 10 task (which was configured for Windows 7 and Server 2008) and imported it into Windows 7. It worked perfectly.

 

Windows 10 Backup

I dont know, if you want to fiddle - just an idea;

Might try making a monthly backup, selecting the every other week dates for one destination.

Go to Task Scheduler & export the task. (File History, or Windows Backup)

Turn off your backup, delete the task if it still exists & make a new backup schedule for other dates at separate destination.

Then Make a new task, import the task you exported after renaming it (2).