How to Use Task Scheduler on Windows 11: Backup & Shutdown

User Case: How Do I Run Task Scheduler in Windows 11?

Hello, friends. Want to know how to flexibly run Windows' built-in tool Task Scheduler? No worries, this article will teach you to use Windows 11 Schedule Task by setting up scheduled backups and scheduled shutdowns as examples! And you also will learn how to schedule apps via this guide.

If you want to use the easiest way to automatically backup or transfer your data, you can use specialized freeware to do it. Let's take a look at how to use Task Scheduler on Windows 11.

How to Use Task Scheduler on Windows 11

Task Scheduler in Windows is a job scheduler that automates program/script execution at set times or intervals. To ensure smooth functioning, ensure the Windows Event Log service runs automatically.

Below I will show you how to use Task Scheduler on Windows 11 to schedule backup tasks and shutdown tasks. If you want to know how to schedule any app, please move to the "Useful Tip" below.

1. Schedule Shutdown via Task Scheduler

If you want to schedule your computer to shut down at a specific time or after inactivity, you can use the Task Scheduler to shut down on Windows 11. Here's how:

Step 1. Type Task Scheduler into the Windows search bar.

Step 2. Click on Create Task...in the right-side menu.

Step 3. In the General tab, give the task a name. Check the boxes next to Run only when user is logged on and Run with highest privileges. Select Windows 11 from the Configure for dropdown menu.

Step 4. Go to Triggers, click New.... Select On a Schedule and choose the frequency (One time, Daily, Weekly, Monthly). Set the start time and duration if needed.

Step 5. Enable task and confirm with OK. And choose task type:

• Go to Actions, click New...and select Start a program. Enter shutdown in Program/script field.
• Enter "/S /F" under Add argumentsand confirm with OK.

Step 6. Specify task conditions.

• Go to Conditions, activate Start the task only if the computer is idle for option.
• Set trigger time and enable Stop if the computer ceases to be idle and Restart if the idle state resumes. Confirm by OK.

2. Schedule Backup Files via Task Scheduler

Here, I'll demonstrate how to use Win 11 Task Scheduler to automate file backups using PowerShell and Xcopy commands. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Enter Task Scheduler into the Windows 11 search bar.

Step 2. Right-click the Task Scheduler Library, choose New Folder..., and provide a distinguishable name for the folder.

Step 3. Expand the Task Scheduler Library and select the newly created folder. Click on Actions tab and choose Create Task....

Step 4. In the General tab, enter the Name and Description, and check the box for Run with highest privileges under Security options.

Step 5. In the Triggers section, click New..., choose On a schedule, select Daily, and configure other desired settings. Click OK to confirm.

Step 6. In the Actions tab, click the New...button. Choose Start a program in the Action field. Specify the program you want to use (e.g., powershell.exe) and enter the command "xcopy D:\Ailsa\ad.txt F:\ /s /e" in the Add arguments field.

Step 7. Press OK to create the new scheduled backup task.

Step 8. Click Run in the right panel to execute the scheduled file backup.

You will receive a return code of 0x0, indicating a successful completion of the backup operation. However, adding arguments can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with the command syntax, making it difficult to manage.

Useful Tip: How to Schedule Other Apps on Windows 11

In this part, we will tell you how to schedule any app on Windows 11 via Task Scheduler.

Step 1. Click on the Windows or Search icon in the taskbar. Type Task Scheduler in the search bar and open the app. In the right pane, navigate to the Actions menu and click on Create Task.

Step 2. In the General tab, provide the task name and description. Proceed to the Triggers tab and click New.

Step 3. In the New Trigger dialog box, select your desired options, such as a weekly schedule from Monday to Friday, set the starting and ending date and time, and click OK.

Step 4. Navigate to the Actions tab and click New. Locate the app's location, then click OK. Finally, click OK again to confirm.

▶What to do when the Task Scheduler service is unavailable?
To automate backup tasks or perform other operations, Task Scheduler can be configured. However, encountering Task Scheduler error codes or finding that the Task Scheduler service is unavailable or not running in Windows 10 can be problematic. In such cases, it is highly recommended to consider using a reliable Task Scheduler alternative like AOMEI Backupper Standard.

Alternative to Windows 11 Task Scheduler: Auto Backup Files

If you find Task Scheduler complicated and error-prone, consider using a reliable alternative like AOMEI Backupper Standard, which is a great choice for Windows 11 users. It provides more options for scheduling automatic backups on Windows 11 without the need to learn Xcopy's syntax and parameters.

✿AOMEI Backupper Standard offers the ability to backup files, partitions, system, and disks, and allows you to set up automatic backups with or without Task Scheduler.
✿It utilizes incremental backup by default, which only backs up changed files after the initial full backup, preventing unnecessary disk space usage. You also can choose differential backup (Pro version) involves backing up only the changed or newly added data since the last full backup.
✿It can automatically compress and split backup images, reducing their size. You can schedule backups to external disks, USB flash drives, network shares, NAS devices, or cloud drives such as Google Drive.

Feel free to download the AOMEI Backupper Standard and give it a try!

Here's how you can schedule a file backup using the top free Task Scheduler alternative AOMEI Backupper in Windows 11.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper Standard and select File Backup under the Backup tab.

Step 2. Click on the Add Folder or Add File button to select the folders and files you want to back up.

Step 3. Select a backup destination for your files. You have the option to back up files to an external hard drive, network share, NAS, and more.

Step 4. Click on Schedule Backup> Enable Schedule Backup and choose from options like Daily, Weekly, or Monthly, Event triggers, or USB plug in. By default, AOMEI Backupper installs a service to run scheduled tasks. To utilize Task Scheduler, click on Advanced and check the box that says Don't install the service, directly use Windows Task Scheduler to run scheduled tasks instead.

Step 5. Click Start Backup and select Add the schedule and start backup now to initiate automatic file backups.

This feature simplifies the scheduling process, allowing you to choose between installing a service or directly using Task Scheduler. Furthermore, you have the option to back up files to AOMEI Cloud, where you can enjoy 1TB of free storage for 15 days with an AOMEI account.

Your Turn

This article in fact provides detailed tutorials on how to use Task Scheduler on Windows 11. You can use this application to schedule backups, shutdowns, and other apps. If you find it too much of a hassle to use this tool, you can also use its best alternative - AOMEI Backupper.

While Task Scheduler can assist with scheduled file backups, it is known to be unstable and prone to errors. Therefore, it is advisable to explore alternative solutions for Windows. AOMEI Backupper Standard is an excellent choice for this purpose.

With AOMEI Backupper Standard, you can easily schedule tasks on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, with or without relying on Task Scheduler. For IT technicians, I recommend trying AOMEI Backupper Technician Plus for enhanced functionality and features.