Task Scheduler lets you automate and schedule repeated tasks. Here is how to open the task scheduler in X different ways in Windows 10 & 11.
As I said many times in my blog, the Task Scheduler is one of my absolute favorite applications. Though it looks simple, it can help schedule and automate many repeatable tasks with just a few clicks. For example, I use it to run scripts at a specific time, move files from one folder to other based on particular events, open applications, show messages, etc. I use it some much that I often back up scheduled tasks to restore them on system re-install.
Considering the usefulness of the task scheduler, you should know how to open the Task Scheduler and how to schedule a task in Windows. In fact, you should know all the multiple ways to open it. That way, even if one method did not work, you can use another way to open it.
This quick and straightforward Windows guide shows the eight useful and easy ways to open the Task Scheduler. You can follow any method, and it will give you the same result. i.e., launch the Task Scheduler.
How to open Task Scheduler
Use one of the below methods to open the Task Scheduler in Windows 10 and 11.
- Search for “Task Scheduler” in the Start menu
- Use the “taskschd.msc” Run command
- Use Control Panel to access Task Scheduler
- Launch Task Scheduler from File Explorer
- Open Task Scheduler from Command Prompt
- PowerShell command to open Task Scheduler
- Use Computer Management console
- Use desktop shortcut
1. Search for “Task Scheduler” in the Start menu
As with any application, Windows automatically adds the Task Scheduler shortcut to the Start menu. As such, you can launch the Task Scheduler directly from the Start menu. All you have to do is search for it and click on the result.
First, press the Start key on your keyboard or click on the Start icon on the taskbar. Next, type “task scheduler” to start the search. Finally, click on the “Task Scheduler” result to open it. To open Task Scheduler as admin, click on the “Run as administrator” option on the right sidebar.
2. Use the “taskschd.msc” Run command
Almost every system application has a specific Run command that you can use to open it. Task Scheduler is no different. You can use the related Run command to launch the Task Scheduler.
First, open the Run dialog box with the “Start key + R” shortcut. You can also search for “Run” in the Start menu. Type “taskschd.msc” in the Run dialog box and click the “Ok” button. As soon as you do that, the Run dialog box will launch the Task Scheduler application. To open it as an admin, rather than clicking the “Ok” button, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
3. Use Control Panel to access Task Scheduler
Being a system tool, the Task Scheduler is available directly in the Control Panel. You need to know where to find it.
First, open the Start menu, search for “Control Panel,” and click on the result to open it. Next, set the “View by” to “Category.” After that, click on the “System and Security” link on the top.
Click the “Scheduled tasks” link under the Administrative Tools section appearing at the bottom in the Control Panel window. As soon as you click on the link, the Task Scheduler will launch itself.
4. Launch Task Scheduler from File Explorer
As with any application, the Task Scheduler too has an executable. This means you can find the Task Scheduler executable in the File Explorer and use it open the application. Here is how.
Click on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar or press the “Start key + E” shortcut to open the File Explorer. Next, go to the “C:\Windows\system32” folder. Here, find and double-click on the “taskschd.msc” file to launch the Task Scheduler. To open it as an administrator, right-click on the file and select “Run as administrator.”
5. Open Task Scheduler from Command Prompt
You can also access the Task Scheduler from the Command Prompt. In fact, you can use the same Run command to open it.
First, search and open “Command Prompt” from the Start menu. Next, type “taskschd.msc” in the command window and press enter to open Task Scheduler. To open it as an administrator, open the elevated Command Prompt window and then execute the command.
6. PowerShell command to open Task Scheduler
Of course, anything you can do with Command Prompt can be done using PowerShell. Launching the task scheduler via PowerShell is nothing different. Here is how to do it.
As always, open the PowerShell window. To do that, either search for it in the Start menu or right-click on the Start menu and select the “Windows PowerShell” option. Next, type “taskschd.msc” and press enter to open the Task Scheduler.
To open it as an administrator, open the elevated PowerShell window and then execute the command.
7. Use Computer Management console
The Task Scheduler in Windows is a Management Console snap-in. As such, you can open and use it directly from the Computer Management console.
First, search for “Computer Management” in the Start menu and open it. After opening the Computer Management console, select “Task Scheduler” under “System Tools” on the sidebar. From here, you can see all the scheduled tasks and create new ones directly.
8. Use desktop shortcut
As with any application, you can create a custom desktop shortcut to open the Task Scheduler. Here is how to do it.
Right-click on the desktop and select “New > Shortcut.” Type “taskschd.msc” in the “Type the location of the item” field and click “Next.” Type “Task Scheduler” in the Name field and click the “Finish” button.
From now on, you can use the newly created desktop shortcut to access the task scheduler.
I hope that helps.
If you think I missed any of your favorite ways to open the Task Scheduler, comment below and share it.
