# win_scheduled_task – Manage scheduled tasks

- Synopsis

- Parameters

- Notes

- See Also

- Examples

- Status

## Synopsis

- Creates/modified or removes Windows scheduled tasks.

## Parameters

Parameter | Choices/Defaults | Comments
--- | --- | ---

actions
list
added in 2.5

A list of action to configure for the task.
See suboptions for details on how to construct each list entry.
When creating a task there MUST be at least one action but when deleting a task this can be a null or an empty list.
The ordering of this list is important, the module will ensure the order is kept when modifying the task.
This module only supports the `ExecAction` type but can still delete the older legacy types.

| arguments string |  | An argument string to supply for the executable.
| path string / required |  | The path to the executable for the ExecAction.
| working_directory string |  | The working directory to run the executable from.

allow_demand_start
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task can be started by using either the Run command or the Context menu.

allow_hard_terminate
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task can be terminated by using TerminateProcess.

author string added in 2.5 |  | The author of the task.

compatibility
integer
added in 2.5

Choices:
- 0
- 1
- 2

The integer value with indicates which version of Task Scheduler a task is compatible with.
`0` means the task is compatible with the AT command.
`1` means the task is compatible with Task Scheduler 1.0.
`2` means the task is compatible with Task Scheduler 2.0.

date string added in 2.5 |  | The date when the task was registered.
delete_expired_task_after string added in 2.5 |  | The amount of time that the Task Scheduler will wait before deleting the task after it expires. A task expires after the end_boundary has been exceeded for all triggers associated with the task. This is in the ISO 8601 Duration format `P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S`.
description string added in 2.5 |  | The description of the task.

disallow_start_if_on_batteries
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task will not be started if the computer is running on battery power.

display_name string added in 2.5 |  | The name of the user/group that is displayed in the Task Scheduler UI.

enabled
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task is enabled, the task can only run when `yes`.

execution_time_limit string added in 2.5 |  | The amount of time allowed to complete the task. When not set, the time limit is infinite. This is in the ISO 8601 Duration format `P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S`.
group string added in 2.5 |  | The group that will run the task. `group` and `username` are exclusive to each other and cannot be set at the same time. `logon_type` can either be not set or equal `group`.

hidden
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task will be hidden in the UI.

logon_type
string
added in 2.5

Choices:
- none
- password
- s4u
- interactive_token
- group
- service_account
- token_or_password

The logon method that the task will run with.
`password` means the password will be stored and the task has access to network resources.
`s4u` means the existing token will be used to run the task and no password will be stored with the task. Means no network or encrypted files access.
`interactive_token` means the user must already be logged on interactively and will run in an existing interactive session.
`group` means that the task will run as a group.
`service_account` means that a service account like System, Local Service or Network Service will run the task.

multiple_instances
integer
added in 2.5

Choices:
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3

An integer that indicates the behaviour when starting a task that is already running.
`0` will start a new instance in parallel with existing instances of that task.
`1` will wait until other instances of that task to finish running before starting itself.
`2` will not start a new instance if another is running.
`3` will stop other instances of the task and start the new one.

name string / required |  | The name of the scheduled task without the path.
password string added in 2.4 |  | The password for the user account to run the scheduled task as. This is required when running a task without the user being logged in, excluding the builtin service accounts and Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA). If set, will always result in a change unless `update_password` is set to `no` and no other changes are required for the service.
path string | Default: "\\" | Task folder in which this task will be stored. Will create the folder when `state=present` and the folder does not already exist. Will remove the folder when `state=absent` and there are no tasks left in the folder.
priority integer added in 2.5 |  | The priority level (0-10) of the task. When creating a new task the default is `7`. See https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa383512.aspx for details on the priority levels.
restart_count integer added in 2.5 |  | The number of times that the Task Scheduler will attempt to restart the task.
restart_interval string added in 2.5 |  | How long the Task Scheduler will attempt to restart the task. If this is set then `restart_count` must also be set. The maximum allowed time is 31 days. The minimum allowed time is 1 minute. This is in the ISO 8601 Duration format `P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S`.

run_level
string
added in 2.4

Choices:
- limited
- highest

The level of user rights used to run the task.
If not specified the task will be created with limited rights.
aliases: runlevel

run_only_if_idle
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task will run the task only if the computer is in an idle state.

run_only_if_network_available
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task will run only when a network is available.

source string added in 2.5 |  | The source of the task.

start_when_available
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task can start at any time after its scheduled time has passed.

state
string

Choices:
- absent
- present ←

When `state=present` will ensure the task exists.
When `state=absent` will ensure the task does not exist.

stop_if_going_on_batteries
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task will be stopped if the computer begins to run on battery power.

triggers
list
added in 2.5

A list of triggers to configure for the task.
See suboptions for details on how to construct each list entry.
The ordering of this list is important, the module will ensure the order is kept when modifying the task.
There are multiple types of triggers, see https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa383868.aspx for a list of trigger types and their options.
The suboption options listed below are not required for all trigger types, read the description for more details.

| days_of_month string |  | The days of the month from 1 to 31 for the triggers. If you wish to set the trigger for the last day of any month use `run_on_last_day_of_month`. Can be a list or comma separated string of day numbers. Required when `type=monthly`.
| days_of_week string |  | The days of the week for the trigger. Can be a list or comma separated string of full day names e.g. monday instead of mon. Required when `type` is `weekly`, `type=session_state_change`. Optional when `type=monthlydow`.
| delay string |  | The time to delay the task from running once the trigger has been fired. Optional when `type` is `boot`, `event`, `logon`, `registration`, `session_state_change`. Is in the ISO 8601 Duration format `P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S`.

enabled
boolean

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether to set the trigger to enabled or disabled
Used in all trigger types.

| end_boundary string |  | The end time for when the trigger is deactivated. This is in ISO 8601 DateTime format `YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss`.
| execution_time_limit string |  | The maximum amount of time that the task is allowed to run for. Optional for all the trigger types. Is in the ISO 8601 Duration format `P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S`.
| months_of_year string |  | The months of the year for the trigger. Can be a list or comma separated string of full month names e.g. march instead of mar. Optional when `type` is `monthlydow`, `monthly`.
| random_delay string |  | The delay time that is randomly added to the start time of the trigger. Optional when `type` is `daily`, `monthlydow`, `monthly`, `time`, `weekly`. Is in the ISO 8601 Duration format `P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S`.
| repetition - |  | Allows you to define the repetition action of the trigger that defines how often the task is run and how long the repetition pattern is repeated after the task is started. It takes in the following keys, `duration`, `interval`, `stop_at_duration_end`
|  | duration string |  | Defines how long the pattern is repeated. The value is in the ISO 8601 Duration format `P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S`. By default this is not set which means it will repeat indefinitely.
|  | interval string |  | The amount of time between each restart of the task. The value is written in the ISO 8601 Duration format `P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S`.

stop_at_duration_end
boolean

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether a running instance of the task is stopped at the end of the repetition pattern.

run_on_last_day_of_month
boolean

Choices:
- no
- yes

Boolean value that sets whether the task runs on the last day of the month.
Optional when `type` is `monthly`.

run_on_last_week_of_month
boolean

Choices:
- no
- yes

Boolean value that sets whether the task runs on the last week of the month.
Optional when `type` is `monthlydow`.

start_boundary
string

The start time for the task, even if the trigger meets the other start criteria, it won't start until this time is met.
If you wish to run a task at 9am on a day you still need to specify the date on which the trigger is activated, you can set any date even ones in the past.
Required when `type` is `daily`, `monthlydow`, `monthly`, `time`, `weekly`, (session_state_change).
Optional for the rest of the trigger types.
This is in ISO 8601 DateTime format `YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss`.

| subscription string |  | Only used and is required for `type=event`. The XML query string that identifies the event that fires the trigger.

type
string / required

Choices:
- boot
- daily
- event
- idle
- logon
- monthlydow
- monthly
- registration
- time
- weekly
- session_state_change

The trigger type, this value controls what below options are required.

| user_id string |  | The username that the trigger will target. Optional when `type` is `logon`, `session_state_change`. Can be the username or SID of a user. When `type=logon` and you want the trigger to fire when a user in a group logs on, leave this as null and set `group` to the group you wish to trigger.
| weeks_interval integer |  | The interval of weeks to run on, e.g. `1` means every week while `2` means every other week. Optional when `type=weekly`.
| weeks_of_month string |  | The weeks of the month for the trigger. Can be a list or comma separated string of the numbers 1 to 4 representing the first to 4th week of the month. Optional when `type=monthlydow`.

update_password
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes ←

Whether to update the password even when not other changes have occurred.
When `yes` will always result in a change when executing the module.

username string |  | The user to run the scheduled task as. Will default to the current user under an interactive token if not specified during creation. aliases: user
version string added in 2.5 |  | The version number of the task.

wake_to_run
boolean
added in 2.5

Choices:
- no
- yes

Whether the task will wake the computer when it is time to run the task.

## Notes

Note

- In Ansible 2.4 and earlier, this could only be run on Server 2012/Windows 8 or newer. Since Ansible 2.5 this restriction has been lifted.

- The option names and structure for actions and triggers of a service follow the `RegisteredTask` naming standard and requirements, it would be useful to read up on this guide if coming across any issues https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa382542.aspx.

- A Group Managed Service Account (gMSA) can be used by setting `logon_type` to `password` and omitting the password parameter. For more information on gMSAs, see https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Core-Infrastructure-and-Security/Windows-Server-2012-Group-Managed-Service-Accounts/ba-p/255910

## See Also

See also

win_scheduled_task_stat – Get information about Windows Scheduled Tasks

  The official documentation on the win_scheduled_task_stat module.

## Examples

    - name: Create a task to open 2 command prompts as SYSTEM
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TaskName
        description: open command prompt
        actions:
        - path: cmd.exe
          arguments: /c hostname
        - path: cmd.exe
          arguments: /c whoami
        triggers:
        - type: daily
          start_boundary: '2017-10-09T09:00:00'
        username: SYSTEM
        state: present
        enabled: yes

    - name: Create task to run a PS script as NETWORK service on boot
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TaskName2
        description: Run a PowerShell script
        actions:
        - path: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
          arguments: -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -NonInteractive -File C:\TestDir\Test.ps1
        triggers:
        - type: boot
        username: NETWORK SERVICE
        run_level: highest
        state: present

    - name: Change above task to run under a domain user account, storing the passwords
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TaskName2
        username: DOMAIN\User
        password: Password
        logon_type: password

    - name: Change the above task again, choosing not to store the password
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TaskName2
        username: DOMAIN\User
        logon_type: s4u

    - name: Change above task to use a gMSA, where the password is managed automatically
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TaskName2
        username: DOMAIN\gMsaSvcAcct$
        logon_type: password

    - name: Create task with multiple triggers
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TriggerTask
        path: \Custom
        actions:
        - path: cmd.exe
        triggers:
        - type: daily
        - type: monthlydow
        username: SYSTEM

    - name: Set logon type to password but don't force update the password
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TriggerTask
        path: \Custom
        actions:
        - path: cmd.exe
        username: Administrator
        password: password
        update_password: no

    - name: Disable a task that already exists
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TaskToDisable
        enabled: no

    - name: Create a task that will be repeated every minute for five minutes
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: RepeatedTask
        description: open command prompt
        actions:
        - path: cmd.exe
          arguments: /c hostname
        triggers:
        - type: registration
          repetition:
            interval: PT1M
            duration: PT5M
            stop_at_duration_end: yes

## Status

- This module is not guaranteed to have a backwards compatible interface. [preview]

- This module is maintained by the Ansible Community. [community]

### Authors

- Peter Mounce (@petemounce)

- Jordan Borean (@jborean93)

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