Windows Server 2008 - Run scheduled task whether user is logged or not, using a network mapped drive

Question

On Windows Server 2003, I used to create some scheduled task which can be run whether the user is logged or not. The scheduled task runs a batch script which copy some files on a mapped network drive (eg there is a letter to the mapped drive). Since Windows Server 2008, I can't do that anymore because the task scheduler has been 'improved'. If I check the radio button 'run if user is logged in', the scheduled task works fine, but if I choose 'run whether user is logged or not', It does not work. I explain : the jobs runs and the batch script starts, but the copy does not work because of an "access denied" to the mapped drive.

Precisions :

1) I have to use the mapped network drive, I can't use UNC path (like \\\\server)

2) The scheduled task has to be able to run if the user is disconnected.

Thank you

Answer 1

The problem is that when your task runs, the drive map doesn't exist in the context of the user/session the task is being run as. I can think of three ways to solve the problem:

• modify your batch file to map the drive before accessing it
• use the "Configure for" combo box to select "Windows Server 2003, ..." in the task settings
• reference the network location by UNC (not alawys possible)