What is the Windows version of cron? [closed]

Answer 1

Use the Windows Task Scheduler to schedule tasks over time and dates.

Answer 2

1. You can use the Scheduled-Tasks API in PowerShell along with a config.json file for parameters input. I guess the minimum limitation is 5 minutes. A sample tutorial for very basic Schedule Tasks creation via APIs

2. You can use the schtasks.exe via cmd too. I could see the minute modifier limitation to 1 minute on executing schtasks.exe /Create /?. Anyways AT is now deprecated.

Anyways, I am working on a tool to behave like CRON. I will update here if it is successfull.

Answer 3

Is there also a way to invoke this feature (which based on answers is called the Task Scheduler) programatically [...]?

Task scheduler API on MSDN.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

The At command is now deprecated

you can use the SCHTASKS