Manage scheduled tasks
- Creates/modified or removes Windows scheduled tasks.
Parameter | Choices/Defaults | Comments | ||
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actions
list
|
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. |
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arguments
string
|
An argument string to supply for the executable.
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path
string
/ required
|
The path to the executable for the ExecAction.
|
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working_directory
string
|
The working directory to run the executable from.
|
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allow_demand_start
boolean
|
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Whether the task can be started by using either the Run command or the Context menu.
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allow_hard_terminate
boolean
|
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Whether the task can be terminated by using TerminateProcess.
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author
string
|
The author of the task.
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compatibility
integer
|
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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(Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 and older).2 means the task is compatible with Task Scheduler 2.0(Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2).3 means the task is compatible with Task Scheduler 2.0(Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2).4 means the task is compatible with Task Scheduler 2.0(Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019). |
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date
string
|
The date when the task was registered.
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delete_expired_task_after
string
|
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 . |
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description
string
|
The description of the task.
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disallow_start_if_on_batteries
boolean
|
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Whether the task will not be started if the computer is running on battery power.
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display_name
string
|
The name of the user/group that is displayed in the Task Scheduler UI.
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enabled
boolean
|
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Whether the task is enabled, the task can only run when
yes . |
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execution_time_limit
string
|
The amount of time allowed to complete the task.
When set to `PT0S`, the time limit is infinite.
When omitted, the default time limit is 72 hours.
This is in the ISO 8601 Duration format
P[n]Y[n]M[n]DT[n]H[n]M[n]S . |
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group
string
|
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 . |
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hidden
boolean
|
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Whether the task will be hidden in the UI.
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logon_type
string
|
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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. |
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multiple_instances
integer
|
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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. |
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name
string
/ required
|
The name of the scheduled task without the path.
|
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password
string
|
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. |
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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. |
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priority
integer
|
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.
|
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restart_count
integer
|
The number of times that the Task Scheduler will attempt to restart the task.
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restart_interval
string
|
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 . |
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run_level
string
|
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The level of user rights used to run the task.
If not specified the task will be created with limited rights.
aliases: runlevel |
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run_only_if_idle
boolean
|
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Whether the task will run the task only if the computer is in an idle state.
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run_only_if_network_available
boolean
|
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Whether the task will run only when a network is available.
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source
string
|
The source of the task.
|
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start_when_available
boolean
|
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Whether the task can start at any time after its scheduled time has passed.
|
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state
string
|
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When
state=present will ensure the task exists.When
state=absent will ensure the task does not exist. |
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stop_if_going_on_batteries
boolean
|
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Whether the task will be stopped if the computer begins to run on battery power.
|
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triggers
list
|
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.
|
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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 . |
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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 . |
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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 . |
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enabled
boolean
|
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Whether to set the trigger to enabled or disabled
Used in all trigger types.
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end_boundary
string
|
The end time for when the trigger is deactivated.
This is in ISO 8601 DateTime format
YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss . |
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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 . |
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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 . |
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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 . |
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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 |
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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.
|
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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 . |
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stop_at_duration_end
boolean
|
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Whether a running instance of the task is stopped at the end of the repetition pattern.
|
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run_on_last_day_of_month
boolean
|
|
Boolean value that sets whether the task runs on the last day of the month.
Optional when
type is monthly . |
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run_on_last_week_of_month
boolean
|
|
Boolean value that sets whether the task runs on the last week of the month.
Optional when
type is monthlydow . |
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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 . |
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subscription
string
|
Only used and is required for
type=event .The XML query string that identifies the event that fires the trigger.
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type
string
/ required
|
|
The trigger type, this value controls what below options are required.
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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. |
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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 . |
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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 . |
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update_password
boolean
|
|
Whether to update the password even when not other changes have occurred.
When
yes will always result in a change when executing the module. |
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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.
The user account specified must have the
SeBatchLogonRight logon right which can be added with ansible.windows.win_user_right.aliases: user |
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version
string
|
The version number of the task.
|
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wake_to_run
boolean
|
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Whether the task will wake the computer when it is time to run the task.
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Note
- 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
topassword
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
.. seealso:: :ref:`community.windows.win_scheduled_task_stat_module` The official documentation on the **community.windows.win_scheduled_task_stat** module. :ref:`ansible.windows.win_user_right_module` The official documentation on the **ansible.windows.win_user_right** module.
- name: Create a task to open 2 command prompts as SYSTEM
community.windows.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
community.windows.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: Update Local Security Policy to allow users to run scheduled tasks
ansible.windows.win_user_right:
name: SeBatchLogonRight
users:
- LocalUser
- DOMAIN\NetworkUser
action: add
- name: Change above task to run under a domain user account, storing the passwords
community.windows.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
community.windows.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
community.windows.win_scheduled_task:
name: TaskName2
username: DOMAIN\gMsaSvcAcct$
logon_type: password
- name: Create task with multiple triggers
community.windows.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
community.windows.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
community.windows.win_scheduled_task:
name: TaskToDisable
enabled: no
- name: Create a task that will be repeated every minute for five minutes
community.windows.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
- name: Create task to run a PS script in Windows 10 compatibility on boot with a delay of 1min
community.windows.win_scheduled_task:
name: TriggerTask
path: \Custom
actions:
- path: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
arguments: -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -NonInteractive -File C:\TestDir\Test.ps1
triggers:
- type: boot
delay: PT1M
username: SYSTEM
compatibility: 4
- Peter Mounce (@petemounce)
- Jordan Borean (@jborean93)