Using Task Scheduler without a password

Agrippa · 19 Nov 2017

I have Win10 64bit Home Edition.

I was following your tutorial for using Task Scheduler to provide automatic scheduling for System Restore. When I reached the final stage it failed. The error message suggested that this was because I was using a blank password.

A bit of googling showed that to use a blank password I needed to amend the Local Security Policy using secpol or gpedit. I cannot access them on my PC - past experience suggests that they are not allowed in Home Edition.

Is there any way for me to use a blank password in Task Scheduler? I am the only person with access to my PC and having to use a password for Windows is simply a piece of unnecessary hassle.

bro67 · 19 Nov 2017

The task would never run if there is a password protected account that it has to run something. The whole reason that Microsoft made the task to not be able to run without a password, is to protect the device from the operator.

As for Secpol and gpedit. They have never been available for Home. What gpedit and Secpol are doing, is changing registry entries. Even if you change the registry entries, you need to use a signon password for your task.

Caledon Ken · 19 Nov 2017

Hi Agrippa.

I heard you that you don't want a password however if you did use a password you could get your task to run and the forum has two tutorials to get around the need to enter a password.

The first is how to sign in automatically when you power up

Sign in User Account Automatically at Windows 10 Startup

and the second is contained as a tip within the tutorial "How to Turn On or Off Required Sign in on Wakeup".

Turn On or Off Require Sign-in on Wakeup in Windows 10

Ken

Agrippa · 20 Nov 2017

Thanks for the replies. The 'sign in automatically' option looks useful as it's the hassle of signing in that I wish to avoid. Just one question, do I have to create a password before I can select 'sign in automatically', if you see what I mean.

And control userpasswords2 is a blast from the past. I've vague memories of using this with Windows 98!

Caledon Ken · 20 Nov 2017

To be honest I never tried this process as I'm a firm believer in passwords. Your sign in doesn't have to complex, maybe your name with a capital at the end, and it just stops unauthorized tampering.

In reading tutorial I would assume that makes sense, you need a password. You could ask on that tutorial thread.

To be sure you can go back to where you current are I would also recommend a backup with a tool like Macrium Reflect. Then if you don't like you can reset system without hours of hassle. Having an Image backup is a good thing.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

I think you would need to do both of those tutorials.

Ken

Agrippa · 20 Nov 2017

Thanks, I think that sorts it. I've got Macrium and I don't think I'd do anything that has the potential to lock me out without a backup.