Task Scheduler and Passwords

[Bruce]

I've been having problems getting Task Scheduler to run my McAfee
VirusScan updates and weekly scans automatically.

See <[email protected]>

To test Task Scheduler, I created a task to launch Xnews.exe. I used
the Scheduled Task Wizard, and browsed to c:\xnews\xnews.exe. My user
name (domain and account is xpmachine\default) was entered
automatically. I left the password box blank because I don't have a
password. But, the Wizard states, "If a password is not entered, the
scheduled task might not run". What if I don't have a password? Here's
the log generated when the Xnews task tried to run:

"Xnews.job" (Xnews.exe) 10/23/2004 8:37:00 AM ** ERROR **
The attempt to log on to the account associated with the task
failed, therefore, the task did not run.
The specific error is:
0x8007052f: Logon failure: user account restriction. Possible
reasons are blank passwords not allowed, logon hour restrictions, or a
policy restriction has been enforced.
Verify that the task's Run-as name and password are valid and try
again.

 

[Bruce]

I've been having problems getting Task Scheduler to run my McAfee
VirusScan updates and weekly scans automatically.

See <[email protected]>

snip

I found this, which states this is a known problem:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311119

Bruce

 

[Alex Nichol]

"Xnews.job" (Xnews.exe) 10/23/2004 8:37:00 AM ** ERROR **
The attempt to log on to the account associated with the task
failed, therefore, the task did not run.
The specific error is:
0x8007052f: Logon failure: user account restriction. Possible
reasons are blank passwords not allowed, logon hour restrictions, or a
policy restriction has been enforced.

By Default, Scheduling requires that it be running from an account with
a password. This restriction can be removed:

XP Pro:
Control Panel - Admin Tools - Local Security policy
At
Local Policy - Security Options, in the right pane double click on
'Accounts - Limit Local account use of blank . . .' (line 3) and set to
Disabled.

XP Home, see fix at Kelly's
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 67, left, 'Run Scheduled tasks without PW - Home'

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

By Default, Scheduling requires that it be running from an account
with a password. This restriction can be removed:

XP Pro:
Control Panel - Admin Tools - Local Security policy
At
Local Policy - Security Options, in the right pane double click on
'Accounts - Limit Local account use of blank . . .' (line 3) and set
to Disabled.

XP Home, see fix at Kelly's
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 67, left, 'Run Scheduled tasks without PW - Home'

Or just set a password and be done with it.

 

[Bruce]

Or just set a password and be done with it.

Lawrence,

I'm laughing, because I was waiting for someone to say the obvious. I
guess I'll never know why my tasks used to run, but now they don't.
Inquiring minds want to know, but on the other hand, this is not my
life's work. I've got to go mow the lawn. <g>

Question:

If I do set passwords, will I have to log on every time I reboot or cold
start?

If I set passwords, can I at some future time, delete them or not
require them?

Sincerely,
Bruce

 

[Alex Nichol]

If I do set passwords, will I have to log on every time I reboot or cold
start?

If I set passwords, can I at some future time, delete them or not
require them?

Yes you would need to use them. Which is good in general, but for
example I would find one a nuisance, with no other person around and the
machine effectively defended by the house security

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Lawrence,

I'm laughing, because I was waiting for someone to say the obvious. I
guess I'll never know why my tasks used to run, but now they don't.
Inquiring minds want to know, but on the other hand, this is not my
life's work. I've got to go mow the lawn. <g>

Question:

If I do set passwords, will I have to log on every time I reboot or
cold start?

If you set up another "service" account with a password to run the task, you
don't necessarily need to use a password on the account you log in as.

If I set passwords, can I at some future time, delete them or not
require them?

Of course.

 

[Rich Roller]

Hey Alex & Lanwrench,

Rather than jump in on this thread, I decided to make a new one a
few days later on a very related topic. I wondered if you might
have time to read it and share your wisdom?

Posted in this same newsgroup by me on 10/25/04 6:01PM ET was
"Task Scheduler problem w/ "run as SYSTEM""

Thanks,

Rich

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

Alex Nichol wrote:
Bruce wrote:


"Xnews.job" (Xnews.exe) 10/23/2004 8:37:00 AM ** ERROR **
The attempt to log on to the account associated with the task
failed, therefore, the task did not run.
The specific error is:
0x8007052f: Logon failure: user account restriction. Possible
reasons are blank passwords not allowed, logon hour restrictions,
or a policy restriction has been enforced.

By Default, Scheduling requires that it be running from an account
with a password. This restriction can be removed:

XP Pro:
Control Panel - Admin Tools - Local Security policy
At
Local Policy - Security Options, in the right pane double click on
'Accounts - Limit Local account use of blank . . .' (line 3) and
set to Disabled.

XP Home, see fix at Kelly's
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 67, left, 'Run Scheduled tasks without PW - Home'

Or just set a password and be done with it.

Lawrence,

I'm laughing, because I was waiting for someone to say the obvious. I
guess I'll never know why my tasks used to run, but now they don't.
Inquiring minds want to know, but on the other hand, this is not my
life's work. I've got to go mow the lawn. <g>

Question:

If I do set passwords, will I have to log on every time I reboot or
cold start?

If you set up another "service" account with a password to run the task, you
don't necessarily need to use a password on the account you log in as.

If I set passwords, can I at some future time, delete them or not
require them?

Of course.

Sincerely,
Bruce