Windows 10: Start Batch File Minimized via Task Scheduler

I have a batch file scheduled to run in Task Scheduler in Windows 10. The batch file runs on schedule, but it opens a full CMD window. I have tried entering variations on start /min in the Task Scheduler properties, but these seem to have no effect.

The particular batch file opens and then pauses at a PAUSE statement, waiting for user response. I want it to start minimized partly because, when it opens to a full CMD window, it captures keystrokes, if I happen to be typing. In that case, the newly opened batch file blows past the pause and proceeds with its next steps. I don't want that to happen.

Possibly I am using the wrong term. When I say "minimized," I mean that the batch file will be visible as an item on the taskbar, but its window will not open up onscreen. To access the batch file, I will have to coolswitch to it or click on its taskbar icon.

So the question is, how can I start this batch file minimized, in the sense that it will open as a taskbar icon but not as a full CMD window?

:)

 

task scheduler & batch files

The Task scheduler is at C:\Windows\System32\taskschd.msc and a shortcut to it is also shown in Start menu, Windows administrative tools.

Since you are going on to consider running batch files using Task scheduler, have a look at

Make Windows 10 Task scheduler run a batch file minimised and with a specific icon - Forum article

Denis

 

windows 10 How do you want to open this file Nothing works

ok, problem solved.

The problem was caused by a scheduled task having problems to run.

That task should start a batch file every day at fixed time, but the name of the batch file was not compatible with the OS, so the task was restarting each time the PC was idle. The name of the batch file contained a space which has now been replaced with
underscore.

Changing the batch name solved the problem.

 

Have tried below command from Task Scheduler.


Code: cmd.exe /k start /min myfile.bat[/quote]

 

Thanks for taking a stab at it. But no, I can't seem to make that work in any combination. Most combinations (e.g., putting full path plus filename in the "Start in" field) run nothing. The most response I got was an error: "It appears as though arguments have been included in the Program text box." Do you have more specific knowledge as to which items should go in the Arguments and Start In fields?

 

Let me test the command and i will let you now.

 

Code: Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")obj = WshShell.Run("path to batch file.bat", 2)set WshShell = Nothing[/quote] That will work in a .vbs file.

 

If this still comes up inoperable, you may want to try a third party tool. WinAutomation is very good, but I don't know if it will run minimized or not. A 2009 forum thread there discusses several ways to make it run minimized, but that's pretty old now. Check it out at WinAutomation - Smart Macro Recorder, Web Automation Recorder and more.
HTH,
--Ed--

 

How about below script?


Code: Echo @echo off > %tmp%\Test.bat Echo Echo testing >> %tmp%\Test.bat Echo pause >> %tmp%\Test.bat cmd.exe /c start /min %tmp%\Test.bat Exit[/quote]

 

Nircmd is another third party application that you can use to run it minimized.

 

Create a shortcut of the bat file. Right click->Properties and set to rum minimize. Set the schedule to run the Shortcut instead.

 

Use this procedure Make Windows 10 Task scheduler run a batch file minimised and with a specific icon - MSA Forum article

I wrote that article but post any questions here not there as I do not contribute to that forum anymore.

Denis

 

Thanks for your replies. Sad to say, I have never learned VBS, and can't make that investment now, so the VBS suggestions elude me. The Nircmd and shortcut suggestions are familiar, but as far as I can tell they run the batch file invisibly, so that I can't bring it back to fullscreen by coolswitching or clicking on a taskbar icon. I looked at WinAutomation, but it seems the price is $400.

FreeBooter: interesting script. I'm not sure I get it, though. The script issues commands that, collectively, construct a batch file and then run it minimized. So I would rewrite my batch files to consist of similar commands. What's running, ultimately, is not the commands presently found in my batch file. What's running is the temporary batch file constructed from the lines in my rewritten batch files. It's credible, but damn ungainly.

Could I do something similar with TYPE or COPY commands that would stick the contents of a normal-looking batch file into a new, temporary batch file that CMD /C would then run minimized? It seems like this shouldn't be hard, but I'm tired and I can't quite wrap my head around it.

Thanks again, one & all ...

 

Batch script i posted will Echo all your code line by line to Temp.bat and execute it i know you will have to use Echo command front of all the single codes to copied into Temp.bat file that's best i can think of it for now maybe you can use For command to Echo your codes to Temp.bat file. Make sure to not to Echo cmd.exe /c start /min %tmp%\Test.bat to Temp.bat file. If i come up with something else i let you know.

 

Raywood,

The procedure I posted a link to takes you through the whole thing and you will not need to learn VBS or anything else. And you will not need to spend anything.

Denis