Solved Task scheduler - on idle problems

[collifu]

Hi all,

I am trying to set up a (theoretically) easy task in Windows 8.1 using Task Scheduler. The goal is to shut down (full shut down, not sleep, etc..) the computer after 3 hours of being in idle mode. I created a new task as follows:

- Trigger: 'on idle' (I make sure that in advance settings 'Enable' is marked).
- Action: 'shutdown.exe' (with /s /f /t 0 to shut it down no matter what and without waiting)
- Condition: 'Start the task only if the computer is idle for: 3 hours' and 'Wait for idle for: Do not wait'

I hoped that this would shut down my computer after 3 hours but it is shutting it down after 5 minutes!!! Why?

Thanks!

 

[broe23]

Did you make sure to tell the task to ignore any requests from network adapters, display, etc.?

 

[collifu]

Thank you for replying. Regarding your question: Yes! I checked that and I actually assigned the highest priority to the task.

As I mentioned, the problem is that the task shuts down the computer too early, it does not wait 3 hours.

I also checked the history of the task and the computer is being shut down by the task!

 

[collifu]

The user hydranix has provided the solution although I cannot see in the forum so… I leave here the explanation that I received in my e-mail just in case another user is interested:

"If a task is triggered by an idle trigger, then the *WaitTimeout* property of the *IIdleSettings* interface (*IdleSettings* for scripting) is ignored.

I fixed the problem of my task by triggering it on log on.

Thanks!
R.

 

[hydranix]

Yes, I looked into your problem a bit. When I tested the theory on my machine it seemed to solve the problem.

I posted the reply, then read a bit more about the Scheduled Tasks and the IdleTimeout.

When I looked into the exact meaning of the different keywords, (found here MSDN: Task Idle Conditions), I was worried I may have been mistaken and that my solution was found in error, so I deleted the post.

I'm glad to see that everything worked out though.