Console app not launching via task scheduler

Payal Nair

Hi,

I have implemented a simple console application in C#.Net that writes something to a text file in "C:\MyFolder" as soon as it launches. I have configured the application in task scheduler with the below properties.

General tab->Run whether user is logged on or not.

Triggers -> At system start up

Actions -> Program/Script = Path to my exe ( E:\MyProject\Test.exe)

Start-in = Path with exe name . (E:\MyProject)

I am expecting the text file to be present once I start my machine. That is before logging in to the desktop as I have set the property to "At system start up" rather than "At log on" . However only If I log in to the machine, my exe starts running and the file gets copied. Is it because it is a Console App which requires a Desktop/UI to launch.?

So how will be the case in server machines where we don't have a user login or it gets logged in by default.? How can I make my console application to lauch/ or work in background even before login/ where there is no login?

Please clarify!!

Thanks

6 Replies

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Payal Nair8y ago
Hi Amit,

These were some of things I already tried.

a) Running my application directly from Visual Studio which works fine.
b) In my case I have only started my computer but not logged in. And I want the console app to work at that moment. But only after I login to my machine using my windows credentials console app is launching and working. So the issue is definitely not with console app.
c) I tried copying my exe shortcut under C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. This too launches the console app, but only after I login ato Windows
0
Amit Gupta8y ago
I suggest you to debug your program and see if file is created or any exception has occurred, if the job is working properly and there might be issue with your configuration in task scheduler. You can also put your file in the startup path, so that it gets executed when system starts
0
Payal Nair8y ago
Do not store password option is already unchecked.
0
Payal Nair8y ago
In task scheduler we have an option to check - "Run with highest privileges". Even after checking that the file is not generated. Also tried writing to C:\ProgramData but that too didn't work out.

Is it because console applciation requires a user interface/desktop to launch?
Below is the code snippet I tried.
static void Main(string[] args)
{
var errorDirPath = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["ErrorLogPath"];
try
{
if (!Directory.Exists(errorDirPath))
Directory.CreateDirectory(errorDirPath);
errorLogPath = errorDirPath + "\\" + "_Log.txt";
File.AppendAllText(errorLogPath, "Running application");
Console.ReadLine();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
File.AppendAllText(errorLogPath, "Failed to load application" + ex.Message.ToString());
}
}
The app is configured to run under System account in Task Scheduler. Also I am running exe that is present in my local drive.
0
Nanddeep Nachan8y ago
See if,
Do not store password option is unchecked. It should be.
0
Amit Gupta8y ago
The problem is with the permission. Generally system requires administrator previlage to write on the root drive.

As you can't set your exe to run with administrator on system startup, youhave to choose some other path or drive like c:\programData
+1