Non-Task Scheduler Batch File Run at Specific Time

Paul Black · 04 Jul 2022

Hello @MourningStar,

Unless I am missing something, why do you need TWO Scripts?

Is there a reason you can NOT put just one Script in the . . .

> %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

. . . directory [ that obviously opens at Startup ] using Loop to cycle over and check the time, and then when the time is right, run the MoonOn commands?

MourningStar said:

Suppose I shut off my computer at 17:45 and power back on at, say, 21:00. Will the Task Scheduler still run the file that was scheduled to run at 18:00?

The Task Scheduler will run the task whenever it is set to do so.

If your computer is shut off, it will NOT be able to run the Script anyway !

Have you looked at? . . .

> How to Enable or Disable Scheduled Task in Windows 10
> How to Create Task to Run App or Script at Logon in Windows 10

I assume that the program is this one? . . .

> Rainmeter
> Rainmeter - Manual

Paul Black · 04 Jul 2022

Hello @MourningStar,

What about something like this for Batch_1.bat? . . .

Code:


set Hour=%time:~0,2%
set Batch_2_Run=True

if %Hour% geq 18 set Batch_2_Run=False
if %Hour% leq 17 set Batch_2_Run=False

if "%Batch_2_Run%"=="True" (
    CALL "Batch_2_Run_Path.bat"
)

das10 · 04 Jul 2022

The Task Schedule has a Settings Tab, where one can select "Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed", which ought to work if the Target Time has already passed on Startup (although I haven't tested it fully - so can't be 100% sure).

As for the timer batch file, following some of Paul's suggestions, something like this all-in-one batch file could work.

It will keep running and check the time in a loop , and at the designated time (or ~10 sec thereafter as set by the timeout /t command), it will trigger the second set of CALL commands and exit - and if the Target time has already passed when it is started on Startup, it will trigger the second set of commands immediately and exit.

All-in-one-Timer.bat (note: Set the Target Time as indicated).

Code:

@echo off
SetLocal

:: Set the Target Time here, as HoursMinsSeconds eg 18:30:00 as 183000
:: Set it in "6" digit HourMinSec format eg as shown above or if less than 10:00:00, then for eg 093030 with the lead zero.

SET   TargetTime=140624
echo.
echo. TargetTime for second part of the Batch file is set to %TargetTime%
echo.

:Loop
SET    CurrentTime=%time:~0,8%
SET    CurrentTime=%CurrentTime: =0%
SET    CurrentTime=%CurrentTime::=%
echo.  TargetTime  is  %TargetTime%
echo.  CurrentTime is  %CurrentTime%
echo.

SET Action=True
IF %CurrentTime% gtr %TargetTime% SET Action=True
IF %CurrentTime% lss %TargetTime% SET Action=False
IF "%Action%"=="True" (
    echo.=========================================================================
    echo.Now Running the second section which has target commands
    echo.=========================================================================
    CALL :SecondPart && Goto :EOF
)
timeout /t 10 /nobreak
GoTo :Loop

:EOF
::====================== section with some example target commands ===============================::

:SecondPart

Dir C:\Windows\*.exe
Dir C:\Windows\*.ini
pause
pause
exit /B

::================================================================================================::
:: ref: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55227816/run-a-batch-file-between-specific-time-in-a-day

After debugging, all the echo commands can be removed.

If wanted, instead of making a CALL to the :SecondPart label within the same batch file, you can also make a CALL to a second.bat file.

Code:

instead of
CALL  :SecondPart && Goto :EOF
use
CALL  "C:\some path to second.bat" && Goto :EOF

Hopefully it works.

MourningStar · 04 Jul 2022

Yes, the app is a Rainmeter custom skin. However, I do shut off/power on my computer on an as needed basis (a topic already beaten to death so please don't bring it up, thank you). I could have done this in the skin itself and I may go that route. So, if this fact renders the request not feasible, not a problem. Maybe I was thinking too random. My current process (single push of a button) is perhaps the easiest, a programmed key that runs the sun off/moon on script.

However, all this is still helpful and not fruitless as my web-research revealed many others requesting non-task scheduler time-based batch run solutions. Those I found had no solutions for my case and is why I came here. This topic should help others.

-thx