A Google search turned up software that performs the same functions as cron, but nothing built into Windows.
I'm running Windows XP Professional, but advice for any version of Windows would be potentially helpful to someone.
EDIT: Is there also a way to invoke this feature (which based on answers is called the Task Scheduler) programatically or via the command line?
For command-line usage, you can schedule with the at command. I'll add the schtasks command which is the replacement in newer MS OS.
What feature of cron do you need that Task Scheduler doesn't provide?
Use the windows task scheduler to schedule tasks over time and dates.
The 'at' command.
"The AT command schedules commands and programs to run on a computer at a specified time and date. The Schedule service must be running to use the AT command."
Windows "AT" command is very similar to cron.
Edit: The AT command is available through the command line (Clarification on additions to question)
In addition to Windows Task Scheduler you also have 'at' on Windows. I'm not sure how it differs from Task Scheduler besides the fact that it has a command line interface.
The closest equivalent are the Windows Scheduled Tasks (Control Panel -> Scheduled Tasks), though they are a far, far cry from Cron. The biggest difference (to me) is that they require a user to be logged into the windows box, and a user account (with password and all), which makes things a nightmare if your local security policy requires password changes periodically. I also think it is less flexible than cron as far as setting intervals for items to run.