Trouble With Task Scheduling

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Carey: My wife has a windows xp system & I am having trouble scheduling any maintenance tasks to run automatically. No matter what I do on the status page it says "the scheduled task did not run because an incorrect password or user name was used". I specifically would like to run the disk cleanup when ever the system is idle or when she logs on, as for some reason her "compress files" area just fills up a whole bunch each day 32,000 or more. Is there a way we can stop that also?

Thanks,
Jim Wallace

Hi Jim,

A scheduled task can be run without passwords:

For Pro: Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Local Security Policy/Local Policies/Security options. In the right hand pane (third down).

Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only.
This is enabled by default, disable it.

For Home: Run Scheduled Task without a Password (Line 67)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To removed the check for ‘compress old files,' download this ‘reg' file, and it will alter your Windows registry to disable that feature (I highly recommend this!)

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/DeleteOldFiles.htm

Thanks for writing!
Carey

About the Author:

Carey Holzman owns and operates Discount Computer Repair (602-527-9723) in Phoenix, Arizona, where he offers repairs, upgrades, custom built PCs and network wiring at highly competitive pricing. His networking tips have appeared in David Strom's book, The Home Networking Survival Guide (McGraw/Hill), and his own book on PC maintenance is currently available at local book stores, amazon.com or directly through him. His free informative web site can be found at http://www.careyholzman.com. Donate $30 to help maintain his site and you'll get a free autographed copy of his book. Carey can be reached directly at carey@careyholzman.com.

Ask Carey a Question! Free Windows help is just a click away.

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