How to disable/delete scheduled tasks automatically when rebooting?

rivre · 01 Jun 2018

I have several scheduled tasks from an app that keep reappearing in task scheduler with each reboot. If I disable them or even delete them they just reappear each time I reboot my PC. If I disable them they stay disabled until the next reboot.

Is it possible to set up a batch file or script that I can drop in my startup folder that would disable or delete those scheduled tasks at each reboot, so I don't have to manually do it after each reboot?

I'm not good with creating batch files or scripts though. Is there anything out there that can help with this?

dalchina · 01 Jun 2018

Hi, assuming you want to keep the program and there's no way to stop it creating these tasks, then:

Using Autohotkey, a script should be similar to this example, which I found with a quick search:

autohotkey disable scheduled task

https://autohotkey.com/board/topic/8...nabledisabled/

You can ignore the first 6 lines which define keys F1 & F2 - delete them.

You need a simple text editor- create the text file as .txt initially, then
- replace Enabled in the last line with False
- repeat the text between the last { & } for each task you wish to disable
- replace the items in comments in each instance with the task you wish to disable.

Install Autohotkey (free)

Change the file extension to ahk
With Autohotkey installed, double clicking the ahk file will execute the script.

When working as you want... compile it (create an exe) - very simple, right click the ahk file, click 'Compile'.

Then have that exe run at startup.

Note: you can check ahk scripts fairly simply- it will tell you on which line there is an error.
You can post questions on the Autohotkey forum.

margrave55 · 01 Jun 2018

What application is creating (and re-creating) those scheduled tasks?

kradnam · 01 Jun 2018

Do like I would do, let it start, if its not harmful, then find the program creating them and DELETE IT, don't just delete the task, BUT the entire program. 100% of the time when I delete a program causing the problem, it stops the scheduled task from poping up again.

Eagle51 · 01 Jun 2018

Hey rivre,
Some apps/programs running at startup re-enable/re-create their task scheduler entries. If you do NOT need/want the app/program running at startup ... try the following ...

1. Task Manager > Startup Tab ... if the app/program is listed, right click and disable it.
2. Windows Services ... if the app/program is listed, right click > properties and set the startup type to manual.
3. Task Scheduler ... Double check that it's task entries are disabled.

rivre · 01 Jun 2018

margrave55 said:

What application is creating (and re-creating) those scheduled tasks?

It's my firewall, Comodo. It's constantly triggering HDD activity with scanning, telemetry, and updates - the scheduled tasks activate every couple hours. And that's with all the HIPS and virus modules off. It's a bit quieter when I disabled those tasks, but they come right back at every boot. They always seem to trigger when I'm doing something like backups, or when I want the PC to just idle quietly while watching TV, but then it starts ravaging my HDD for a few minutes. Resource manager shows it's Comodo.

I might give FortKnox a try as an alternative to see how that behaves. If it doesn't work out, I'll re-install Comodo I guess and try the autohotkey idea.

rivre · 01 Jun 2018

Eagle51 said:

Hey rivre,
Some apps/programs running at startup re-enable/re-create their task scheduler entries. If you do NOT need/want the app/program running at startup ... try the following ...

1. Task Manager > Startup Tab ... if the app/program is listed, right click and disable it.
2. Windows Services ... if the app/program is listed, right click > properties and set the startup type to manual.
3. Task Scheduler ... Double check that it's task entries are disabled.

Thanks. I tried all that, no luck - task manager startup entry and services just lists Comodo itself, which I of course want to run at startup. But it insists on putting those scheduled tasks right back in again at every boot, with a new start date. No way to stop that behavior in Comodo's settings. I've looked it over repeatedly and checked every sub menu.

muchomurka · 01 Jun 2018

rivre:

- create cmd file and put some following commands into it:
schtasks /change /tn "microsoft\windows\updateorchestrator\schedule scan" /disable
- modify task identifiers in cmd file
- create another scheduled task which starts at computer start and runs that cmd file.

TechnoMage · 01 Jun 2018

I tried Comodo for a while on my laptop PC, and I found out that I really didn't like it. Far too invasive. So I used "Revo Uninstaller" on the most advanced setting. Problem solved. Try it, you'll like it!!!

So I just went back to Windows Defender/Firewall and now everything is just fine.
Unless you're using your PC in an extremely High Security environment, Windows Defender, backed up by some FREE software like Malware Bytes and Super Anti Spyware, should keep you safe. That's what I use and I'm kind of a Security nut. But having said that, I'm also forced to tell you that I also use "Spybot Search & Destroy", "Spyware Blaster" and "Zemana, Anti Logger".

And, since a lot of bad guys like to hide out in the Temp Folders, I run a little program that dumps all the temp folders on every boot up, even though my PC may be booted up several times per day. (if I'm not here, my PC is OFF!)

Good Luck!
TechnoMage

margrave55 · 01 Jun 2018

I guess it's time to get a different antivirus program.

rivre said:

It's my firewall, Comodo. It's constantly triggering HDD activity with scanning, telemetry, and updates - the scheduled tasks activate every couple hours. And that's with all the HIPS and virus modules off. It's a bit quieter when I disabled those tasks, but they come right back at every boot. They always seem to trigger when I'm doing something like backups, or when I want the PC to just idle quietly while watching TV, but then it starts ravaging my HDD for a few minutes. Resource manager shows it's Comodo.
I might give FortKnox a try as an alternative to see how that behaves. If it doesn't work out, I'll re-install Comodo I guess and try the autohotkey idea.