How can I schedule programs like Spybot SD

How can I schedule programs to run late at night like Spybot S&D or Adware SE automatically?

 

go to the advanced mode on spybot and then chose settings, choose scheduler, next, click add and then edit, that gets you to the spybot scheduled tasks window...then choose schedule, click new and add the time you want

 

In the control panel there is tool called scheduled tasks. You can schedule a lot of things with this.

 

The task sheduler in Windows will run an executable. However, the program needs to provide command line switches to be able to control execution.

For example, in the case of Ad-Aware, scheduling the executable to run will launch the program, but without switches, that is all it does. It will not run a scan, or update itself, or whatever specific task you wish to perform. Not very useful.

Also, if the program does not provide command line switches, and running the executable doesn't do exactly what you want, you're out of luck.

In these cases, there's a little app called AutoHotKey that will record your mouse movements and keystrokes and generate an executable for you.

For example, you can use this app to record a macro of you launching Ad-Aware, selecting the options you want in the GUI, and then hitting the 'Scan' button. You can then convert this macro to an executable, and schedule that, and you have a working program that runs an Ad-Aware scan.

 

Remember, even with a macro type program, if there is only a slightly different result from normal, then human intervention may be required, and who knows what the macro might agree to do, if it should continue.

Your scheduled event will just sit there until morning, or whenever, until you correct the "anomaly".

Any further scheduled events may not run, either, if you have them set up as one operation.

Best to schedule "events" at differing times, singly, for best results, I guess.

Bazza

 

Yeah, Baz is right, macros that interface with the Windows shell (the user interface - ie. sending keystrokes, mouseclicks to an active window) are a last ditch effort, and can be upset easily. However, the risk is mitigated due to the fact that it is run late at night while there is little to interfere. (You could also include some commands to close windows that might be left open, potentially causing problems)

It is always best to be as explicit with your instructions as possible. Command line switches are a great way to achieve this. For example, executing "ccleaner.exe" will launch the app, but executing "ccleaner.exe /auto" will run the cleaner with no disruption to the user interface. The program does not run visibly, just does the deed and terminates. If possible, find out which switches are available to you for the apps you wish to automate. Lavasoft.com would be a good reference for Ad-Aware.

 

I've seen macros done in MS Word, but I didn't think about it being applied to Windows. I would try to launch my progras late at night, but not more than one program at a time. I have my BIOS set to come on at 2AM, but my PC is usually on standby, but it does not come on for these programs that are automated. Maybe I should uncheck low-power standby in the BIOS settings.

 

Besides spybot scheduler, you can also use windows built in scheduler to run spybot in the following way:

If ye are using an online connection (dsl/cable):
"c:\program files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\spybotsd /autoupdate /autocheck /onlyspyware /autoclose"

Adaware requires adaware pro for command line switches. If memory serves me.