Opening Windows 7 Task Scheduler

Windows 7 Task Scheduler is a very powerful tool that lets users create repetitive tasks. Standard Users can create tasks that affects their user account and files. Creating and/or modifying system tasks will require administrative privileges.

Some simple tasks an user can create and perform are:

• disk cleanup tasks
• simple popup reminders
• opening programs at specific times

Open an Elevated Task Scheduler

1. Click on the Start Orb button to open the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

   

2. Type the following in the Search programs and files box. Refer to Image below.

   Task Scheduler

   

3. Right-click Task Scheduler in the Start Menu results to select Run as administrator to open Windows 7 Task Scheduler with elevation. Refer to Image below.

   

4. Provide credentials if prompted.

Open Task Scheduler without Elevation

1. Click on the Start Orb button to open the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

   

2. Type the following in the Search programs and files box. Refer to Image below.

   Task Schedule

   

3. Click Task Scheduler in the Start Menu results to open Windows 7 Task Scheduler without elevation. Refer to Image below.

   

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition

Related Articles

• Enabling Windows 7 Task Scheduler History

Version 1.3
Edited: April 11, 2014

Enabling Windows 7 Task Scheduler History

Windows 7 Task Scheduler history is disabled by default out-of-the-box and you may want to enable the history feature.

Enabling History for Task Scheduler

1. Open an elevated Task Scheduler, refer to “Opening Windows 7 Task Scheduler” blog post.
2. In the Actions pane, click Enable All Tasks History.

   

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition

Related Articles

• Opening Windows 7 Task Scheduler

Version 1.3
Edited: April 12, 2014

Checking for Windows 7 Updates using Windows Updates

To check for Windows Updates manually in Windows 7 please follow the steps:

1. Click on the Start button to open the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

   

2. Click on All Programs in the Start Menu to expand the All Programs list. Refer to Image below.

   

3. Locate and click Windows Update within the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

   

4. The Windows Update window will open and should look similar to the image below.

   

5. Click on Check for updates in the Windows Update window. Refer to Image below.

   

6. When Windows Update has finished scanning your system then you will have the opportunity to select the updates you want to install for Windows 7 and other Microsoft products.

Version 1.3
Edited: April 11, 2014

Open Windows 7 Registry without Elevation

There may be a need or want to edit your registry profile for tweaking your user profile account or simply repairing your user profile registry.

When editing your User Profile registry (HKCU) as a Standard User, elevating the registry is not required because you have write and read privileges for your registry database. If you elevate the registry then you are not editing your registry profile but the Administrator’s registry profile and the machine’s registry database (HKLM).

In this blog post I will show you how to launch the Windows 7 Registry Database using the Registry Editor.

CAUTION

Modifying the Window 7 Registry may result in an unbootable computer or a malfunctioning application due to an incorrect modification.

Open Windows 7 Registry without Elevation – Start Menu

1. Click Start Orb.
2. Type:
   
   regedit

3. Click regedit to launch the your User Profile registry for Windows 7.

   

Version 1.1
Edited: May 16, 2012

Enable Preview Desktop (Enhance ‘Show Desktop’) in Windows 7

When hovering over the Show Desktop panel on the taskbar in Windows 7 will show you the arrangement of open windows if Aero is running. Sometimes this can be pain, you can disable this feature and retain the original functionality of Show Desktop.

Enabling Preview Desktop

1. Right-click Show Desktop panel to check Preview Desktop.

   

Enabling Preview Desktop Using Regedit

CAUTION

Modifying the Window 7 Registry may result in an unbootable computer or a malfunctioning application due to an incorrect modification.

1. Open Windows 7 Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to:

   [HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]

3. Right-click DisablePreviewDesktop to select Modify.
4. Enter a value of 0 to disable Preview Desktop functionality.
5. Close Windows 7 Registry Editor.
   [HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
   Type: DWORD
   Value: 0

Related Articles

• Disable Preview Desktop (Enhance ‘Show Desktop’) in Windows 7
• Open Windows 7 Registry without Elevation

Version 1.2
Edited: April 11, 2014