Overview

If a task is scheduled for a time that a computer is in a low-power state, the task will not able to run. This article describes the steps to configure a task on Windows XP and Windows 7/ Vista so that it wakes a computer if necessary, to ensure that the task runs as scheduled.

Environment

• Windows XP
• Windows 7/ Vista 

Resolution 

This issue is resolved by adding a wake parameter to a scheduled task. Refer to the instructions below to configure the wake parameter for Windows XP and Windows 7/Vista.

Windows XP: 

1. In the Windows Control Panel, open Scheduled Tasks.
   
    

2. Find the task that is not working, right-click it, and choose Properties.
3. In the Settings tab, select the Wake the computer to run this task check box, and click OK, as shown in the example below:
   
    

4. Repeat these steps for any other tasks that did not run.

Windows 7/Vista:

1. Right-click My Computer and choose Manage.
2. Navigate to System Tools > Task Scheduler > Task Scheduler Library.
   
   
   
   
3. Find the task that did not run as scheduled, right-click it, and choose Properties.
4. On the Conditions tab, under Power, select Wake the computer to run this task, and then click OK, as shown in the example below.
   
    
   
   

5. Repeat these steps for any other tasks that did not run.

Confirmation

The scheduled task runs as expected now.