Alternative for Windows Task Scheduler

Question

hi,

I need a Task Scheduler for Windows. Unfortunately the builtin scheduler doesn't meet my needs, which are:

• can run tasks every minute/hour
• runs on Linux and Windows
• 32 and 64 bit versions
• GUI interface
• free

Nice to haves:

• supports CRON files
• open source
• status reports of execution times

thanks!

Answer 1

Cron supports Cron files, so does Cron for Windows!

http://cronw.sourceforge.net/

Answer 2

Windows only: Freeware utility Z-Cron replaces the Windows task scheduler with a more robust, cron-like alternative (but with a graphical interface). Z-Cron ships with a long set of useful actions you can automate, like sending an email, copying a folder, deleting files, emptying the trash, and way more, which makes writing batch files to do these things for you effectively obsolete. Z-Cron is a free download for Windows only.

Z-Cron

Answer 3

We use Automate from www.networkautomation.com . We actually really like it, but we're a version old and the new version is expensive (like $1,800). It has a fantastic feature set - we've not found anything it can't do. But we're looking for something else since it's so expensive.

Answer 4

"Windows only: Freeware utility Z-Cron replaces the Windows task scheduler with a more robust, cron-like alternative (but with a graphical interface)...."

Z-Cron is NOT free! It is a 14-30 day trial. Here on Earth we call that shareware. I don't know where that company gets off calling it "freeware."

It looked like a cool program though.

Answer 5

Hudson

• supports cron-like scheduling (5 * * * *)
• runs arbitrary processes
• has a web-based interface
• free and open-source (MIT)
• written in Java and runs on Linux or Windows
• haven't tested with 64-bit, but Hudson doesn't depend on native libraries so there's a high chance it will just work
• may take up a larger memory footprint than you're used to
• status reports for failed tasks available, with console output
• easy installation

Answer 6

Just a further note about the Windows Task Scheduler that was not mentioned. IT DOESN'T WORK. I got to this page because I was too looking for an alternative.

It still amazes me how Windows (any version) can be so bad that everytime you need to do something you have to download a third party application.

Over the years I have tried to use the Task Scheduler but it never worked right, or at all, but at those times I just gave up as it wasn't important. Now it is and I need something that works - and Windows Task Schedules isn't it.

If anyone know how I can make a billion dollars off something as useless as Windows, please let me know - I grow tired of my day job.

Answer 7

It amazes me how everyone keeps yelling "Alternatives!" on windows programs/functions even when they don't know the first things about using them. The task scheduler DOES work in XP/Vista/Seven (on cared-for systems of course, not those infested with malware, errors and resident bloatware), and it does a pretty good job too. For instance hourly scheduling is even available in XP together with lots of other options available through gui as well as batch commands.