Scheduling Tasks in Windows XP Professional with a no password acc

[Guest]

Recently I received a new PC with Windows XP Professional to replace an
existing leased PC with Windows 2000. This PC runs a scheduled task once per
day to activate a batch file to copy data over from another network PC.
The user account for operations does not require a password. As far as I
can tell, Windows XP requires a password to schedule a task (null for
password does not work). So, to get around this little Windows issue, I
created a new administrative account w/ pw and under the user account, I
scheduled the task with "Run as" the administrative account. The scheduled
task worked, calling the batch file. However, the batch file did not
complete (probably because the batch file has a mapped drive - mapped
identically for both accounts, but when not logged onto the admin account the
drive is disconnected).
So, if I am logged onto the admin account the batch file runs correctly. If
I am logged onto the user account the batch file will not complete. I would
prefer to only have one account - the user account with no password.
Does anyone see a way around either the scheduling issue or the mapped drive
issue? Thanks in advance.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Instead of using the mapped drive letter, use the UNC format. This will allow the task to work whether the account is logged on, or not.

\\<machinename>\<sharename>\<path>

Alternatively, you can set Group Policies to allow blank passwords, but this creates a security hole, as even remote Desktop would work for an account with no password, as long as they know your username. It also creates other vulnerabilities.

Click Start, Run and enter GPEDIT.MSC Go to Computer Configuration, Windows Settings, Security Settings, Local Policies, Security Options. In the right pane locate Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only. Double click this item and set it to Disabled.

 

[HeyBub]

Recently I received a new PC with Windows XP Professional to replace
an existing leased PC with Windows 2000. This PC runs a scheduled
task once per day to activate a batch file to copy data over from
another network PC.
The user account for operations does not require a password. As far
as I can tell, Windows XP requires a password to schedule a task
(null for password does not work). So, to get around this little
Windows issue, I created a new administrative account w/ pw and under
the user account, I scheduled the task with "Run as" the
administrative account. The scheduled task worked, calling the batch
file. However, the batch file did not complete (probably because the
batch file has a mapped drive - mapped identically for both accounts,
but when not logged onto the admin account the drive is disconnected).
So, if I am logged onto the admin account the batch file runs
correctly. If I am logged onto the user account the batch file will
not complete. I would prefer to only have one account - the user
account with no password.
Does anyone see a way around either the scheduling issue or the
mapped drive issue? Thanks in advance.

I thought SP2 fixed the "password required to run scheduled task" business.

Here are some references:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310715

How to fix can be found at:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ssword+scheduled+task&rnum=2#2878913d5f1f7d3f

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys for the info. My problem is solved.