Continue running a program after logoff

[William Lipp]

I know that I can use the task scheduler to run a program at startup,
and that program will run while the computer is on, including when the
user logs on and logs off. Is there a way to manually start a program
(I'm thinking of click on a desktop shortcut) such that the program
will continue to run when the user logs off but does not shut down?

I run a distributed computing project, and a potential user wants to
run it like this - at the end of his work day start it manually then
log off his computer, letting the program run overnight.

http://ElevenSmooth.com

William

 

[Armando]

Nope. Only services run when no one is logged in so you'd have to try and
install the program as a service (which probably won't work very well if
it's not designed to run as an NT service).

If that's no go, then just tell him to Lock the computer instead of logging
off because that's about your only option. Cheers.

Armando

 

[Kelly]

Hi William,

Suggestions: Scheduled Tasks - Auto Start (getting tasks to run when no one
is
logged on). If you follow these steps, the shedlgu.txt file will be
replaced without any information other than system start-up information upon
the first boot.

Go to Start/Run/Msconfig. Click Selective Startup and uncheck Load System
Services, click ok. Reboot.

Upon reboot, click OK to the first Window that indicates that you have
selected "Selective Startup". When the System Configuration Utility
reappears, Check the Normal
Startup Box.

Then go to Start/Search and type in: schedlgu.txt. When it appears, right
click on the file and delete it. Reboot.

You will now have a new Task Scheduler Log File. It can be checked by going
to Start/Search and typing in: schedlgu.txt. Appearing will be your new Task
Scheduler Log.

Running Scheduled Tasks without a password:

For Pro: Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Local Security
Policy/Local Policies/Security options. In the right hand pane (third down).

Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only.
This is enabled by default, disable it.

For Home: Run Scheduled Task without a Password (Line 68)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Troubleshooting the Task Scheduler
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_t.htm#ts

Task Scheduler MS-KB Articles: http://tinyurl.com/3gnjc