How do I execute a PowerShell script automatically using Windows task scheduler?

Question

I have one PowerShell script which sends emails. I want to execute that script automatically, every 1 minute. How can I do it, using task scheduler?

Currently I have created a task and provided the path of my script. But that scheduler opens my script, instead of executing.

I am using Windows 7 Professional and PowerShell version 2.0.5.

Answer 1

Create the scheduled task and set the action to:

Program/Script: Powershell.exe

Arguments: -File "C:\\Users\\MyUser\\Documents\\ThisisMyFile.ps1"

Answer 2

Here is an example using PowerShell 3.0 or 4.0 for -RepeatIndefinitely and up:

# Trigger
$middayTrigger = New-JobTrigger -Daily -At "12:40 AM"
$midNightTrigger = New-JobTrigger -Daily -At "12:00 PM"
$atStartupeveryFiveMinutesTrigger = New-JobTrigger -once -At $(get-date) -RepetitionInterval $([timespan]::FromMinutes("1")) -RepeatIndefinitely

# Options
$option1 = New-ScheduledJobOption –StartIfIdle

$scriptPath1 = 'C:\Path and file name 1.PS1'
$scriptPath2 = "C:\Path and file name 2.PS1"

Register-ScheduledJob -Name ResetProdCache -FilePath $scriptPath1 -Trigger  $middayTrigger,$midNightTrigger -ScheduledJobOption $option1
Register-ScheduledJob -Name TestProdPing -FilePath $scriptPath2 -Trigger $atStartupeveryFiveMinutesTrigger

Answer 3

Instead of only using the path to your script in the task scheduler, you should start PowerShell with your script in the task scheduler, eg

C:\WINDOWS\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -NoLogo -NonInteractive -File "C:\Path\To\Your\PS1File.ps1"

See powershell /? for an explanation of those switches.

If you still get problems you should read this question .

Answer 4

In my case, my script has parameters, so I set:

Arguments : -Command "& C:\\scripts\\myscript.ps1 myParam1 myParam2"

Answer 5

After several hours of test and research over the Internet, I've finally found how to start my PowerShell script with task scheduler, thanks to the video Scheduling a PowerShell Script using Windows Task Scheduler by Jack Fruh @sharepointjack .

Program/script -> put full path through powershell.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe

Add arguments -> Full path to the script, and the script, without any " ".

Start in (optional) -> The directory where your script resides, without any " ".

Answer 6

You can use the Unblock-File cmdlet to unblock the execution of this specific script. This prevents you doing any permanent policy changes which you may not want due to security concerns.

Unblock-File path_to_your_script

Source: Unblock-File

Answer 7

None of posted solutions worked for me. Workaround, which worked:

create a run.bat and put inside powershell.exe -file "C:\\...\\script.ps1"

then set Action to Program/Script: "C:\\...\\run.bat"

Answer 8

1. Open the created task scheduler

2. switch to the “Action” tab and select your created “Action”

3. In the Edit section, using the browser you could select powershell.exe in your system32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0 folder.

    Example -C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe

4. Next, in the 'Add arguments' -File parameter, paste your script file path in your system.

    Example – c:\\GetMFAStatus.ps1

This blog might help you to automate your Powershell scripts with windows task scheduler

Answer 9

That's perfect if you only want to execute PowerShell once, or on the scheduler for the task. However, I want to send email notifications based on a schedule separate from Task Scheduler. For example, my task runs once per week. I want to execute a PowerShell script every hour to verify the task is still running. Any thoughts?

Answer 10

I also could not launch scripts, after heavy searching nothing helped. No -ExecutionPolicy, no commands, no files and no difference between "" and ''.

I simply put the command I ran in powershell in the argument tab: ./scripts.ps1 parameter1 11 parameter2 xx and so on. Now the scheduler works. Program: Powershell.exe Start in: C:/location/of/script/