Solved Task Scheduler: Cannot Remove "Scheduled Start" Task

Jody Thornton

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Location
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Hello All!

I have disabled Automatic Updates in Windows 8 now. The only time I use Windows Update services are to update Windows Defender definitions, via a scheduled task, or to manually install patches I download from the Microsoft Catalog. Then I had Windows Update and BITS services set to Manual. Everything works fine this way, and Windows Update itself is set in Control Panel to NEVER check for updates.

I still noticed however in Task Scheduler, under the folder "WindowsUpdate", there is a task called "Scheduled Start" that runs automatically every six or so hours to scan Windows Updates services (I assume for updates perhaps). I don't wish for this task to run. I have deleted it, removed the "Tree" and Task Cache" key from the registry, heck - I even deleted the whole WindowsUpdate task folder. No matter which of these I tried (each seemed to go through successfully), the task would be recreated after a reboot, or after a half-hour.

And properties of the task cannot be changed at all. You try to save changes and a message box appears saying: "Task Scheduler Service is not available. Task Scheduler will attempt to reconnect to it".

And that's where I'm at. Has anyone experienced this at all? I originally posted this over at MSFN, but since this is a Windows 8 forum, I figured it would be a relevant place to check. :)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
No worries! I solved it
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
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