Automation of routine work on computers. Recording mouse actions

Few of today's users remember the reckless 90s and then computers. Automation of tasks was even then possible, you can recall at least our trusty old autoexec.bat - a file that was launched every time the computer was turned on, took control and automated the execution of routine work.

Now, of course, everything is not entirely true, but there are many programs with the help of which any PC user can solve the problem of automating his own computer for free. This article will look at several modern applications built for similar purposes.

What are programs for automating actions on a computer for?

Every day, each user performs many routine operations - runs antivirus software, archives data, downloads files, looks at his mail, etc. This is not the largest list of constantly repetitive work.

But what about those who are constantly sending out tons of messages, printing documents, deleting obsolete files and checking their hard drive?

This is a rather tedious task, so maximum automation of actions for constantly repetitive processes is desirable. There are several programs that can take over this function. With their help, you can organize not only the above actions, but also clean the system registry of unnecessary junk, constantly update data, etc.

Important information. It is better to run such automated programs at night, when the computer and the network are not loaded, in order to maximize the efficiency of unloading your working hours.

Windows Task Scheduler

The tasks of automating computers running the Windows operating system are not at all difficult to solve. After all, there is a built-in program for this - the Task Scheduler.

If you have Windows installed on your computer, then you do not need to download anything, you just need to find and run this application. This can be done in the following way:

1. Click on the "Start" button;
2. In the menu that opens, select an item such as "Control Panel";
3. The panel opens, in it you need to select "Administration";
4. In the window that opens, find the "Task Scheduler" sub-item and launch it with two clicks of the mouse.

Windows automation in older versions of the system, for example, in the 7th version, can also be done by simply typing the necessary command in the command line:

1. In the menu of the "Start" button, select "All Programs";
2. Find the item "Standard" in the list;
3. Open the command line sub-item;
4. In the command line that opens, type the name of the Taskschd.msc file and press Enter.

This is easier on Windows 10. The name of the Taskschd.msc file is typed in the Run window, and then OK is pressed.

List of the main commands of the application:

• Create a simple task - the process is performed using a wizard;
• Create task - in this case everything will be created “manually”;
• Import task - some other, previously created and exported task is imported, this is often used in local networks to synchronize the actions of several computers;
• Show all running tasks - to see which specific tasks are started and in progress;
• Enable Job Log - Scheduler Log records all automation actions;
• Create / delete folder - in the scheduler you can create or delete your own folders for work;
• Export - using this command, a task created on this computer can be exported to another computer or simply remembered for further actions.

How to create your task project in Windows Scheduler

You can create an automated task to start the defragmentation program that will run, for example, every Wednesday at 3 am. To do this, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

That's it, the task is ready. But you should be careful with spyware - they can use the task scheduler for their own purposes.

Software automation with xStarter

This program can be downloaded from the resource http://www.xstarter.com/rus/. The download is free, and xStarter will also be free to update.

This application allows you to automate processes using macros created by the user, for this it is not necessary to master programming techniques, everyone can do it. Any actions in the operating system are recorded by the program in special files, by reproducing which you can always get the desired result.

A special add-on to the application called Job Scheduler for Firebird / Interbase is designed to work with database servers, it can execute SQL scripts, restore old databases, etc.

Thus, xStarter has advanced features over the standard Windows Task Scheduler. From the application, you can independently create executable files .exe, which can be easily transferred to any other computer.

With the Web Pilot add-on, you can remotely control other computers on your local network.

In addition to these innovations, the xStarter application has the following advantages:

• the state of the file system can be monitored, and the user will be warned whenever it changes;
• automation of work with e-mail;
• organization of work with FTP and HTTP.

XStarter will help you improve your productivity by a third.

If you are looking for really efficient application automation, then the Macro Scheduler application is the one for you.

This program is shareware, that is, it assumes a certain period of 30 days for free use, then you can purchase a paid working version.

In this application, you can also create your own macros simply by recording a sequence of actions. For more knowledgeable and advanced users, it is possible to write code in the MacroScript language in a visual editor - this is to create more complicated options for tasks.

The Professional version allows you to compile your code into an executable .exe file that can be run on a variety of Windows PCs. There are three versions of Macro Scheduler - Lite, Standard and Professional. Of course, the Professional version is the most "advanced", but also the most expensive - $ 195.

If you have experience in creating macros, then working with the program will not be difficult for you. All your actions after pressing the Record button will be recorded in the editor. Stops recording by pressing CTRL + ALT + S. After the recorded scenario, you can play it by clicking the Start button.

The program code of the recorded script can be corrected manually, but for this you need to know the MacroScript language. You can also insert snippets written in VBScript into your code.

But in most cases it is enough to use templates of existing scripts using the Macro Scheduler Automation Tool. There you will find templates for working with text files and images, the registry, with a memory buffer, with various devices, etc.

AutoTask 2000 Overview

After 30 days, you need to buy a work package of the AutoTask program for $ 60. This application has a very simple interface, it is very easy to work with it even for a beginner.

In AutoTask, you can record a script for the execution of a macro, as in previous applications. This is done using a wizard, which greatly simplifies the task.

In addition, the program allows you to create complex structured task schedules that can be edited as needed. Each action is set separately, parameters and conditions are selected. You can test their execution directly from the task editor.

Having considered this application, we can conclude that it is very convenient to use, you do not need any specific skills or knowledge of any programming language. But alas, sometimes a little difficulty may arise with the execution of tasks due to the complex structure of the schedule.

The application also allows recording macros by recording the sequence of user actions on the computer. Everything is the same as in previous programs, plus a simple and user-friendly interface. True, there is no Russian-language version of the program, but is this a significant disadvantage?

It is quite simple to create a macro based on existing templates, you just need to click on Templates and select the desired template option. Then you can add the created macro to the Schedule.

Macros can also be recorded. To do this, click on the Record button in the File menu. To stop recording, you need to click on Stop.

To create a macro in the visual designer, execute the Create a macro using Macro Editor command. This constructor has no advanced features, but it is fine for the standard use case.

Finally, consider an automation program for your Mac or iMac. After all, not by Windows alone ...

Of course, such a program exists in the macOS environment and it is called Automator. With its help, you can create a variety of tasks that will be automatically executed by the computer under certain user-defined conditions.

The Automator application from Launchpad opens. From the list of all jobs, you can select one - process, program, service, print plugin, folder action, reminder, image capture plugin.

If you selected the Service template, a new window opens where you can create a new process. It's easy to create: just drag the actions on the left that you want to perform automatically into the free area of ​​the window.

It is very easy to work with Automator even for an unprepared user - after all, this is a feature of all software products from Apple.

Instead of a conclusion

Of course, you can organize your work efficiently and effectively. We hope that the above computer automation programs will help you with this. Which one to choose is up to you. Good luck!

Windows OC gained popularity primarily due to its user-friendly and intuitive interface. But if an ordinary user only benefited from this, then for the administrator, push-button control has many inconveniences. Of course, some tasks can be solved using console commands and scripts, but not all. And this is where special automation tools come to the rescue.

AutoIt

One of the most popular automation tools for admins is AutoIt (autoitscript.com/autoit3), which simulates keystrokes, mouse clicks, and other similar actions that a user usually performs when working in GUI applications.

Using AutoIt, all these movements can be programmed using a BASIC-like language. The program can manage processes, access Windows API and DLL, registry, clipboard, files (read, change, delete), create GUI, messages, data entry forms, work with databases (MySQL and SQLite), read HTML code, download files, send e-mail and much more. In general, it all depends solely on the desire to tinker with the settings. It is gratifying that AutoIt does not require programming skills from the admin. In scripts, you can easily access window controls with just a couple of lines of code. Keep in mind, however, that AutoIt works seamlessly with standard Windows windows. If the authors took care of the uniqueness of the interface, you will have to sweat a little with the AutoIt setting to find the necessary parameters.

Supports Windows from 95 to 2k8, including works in 64-bit versions of the system, is "friendly" with whist's UAC. It is convenient that the scripts can be compiled into exe and then executed on another machine. No additional applications and libraries are required.

AutoIt is distributed under a freeware license that allows its use without restrictions, including for commercial purposes. Installation is standard, there are no additional requirements. The current version is 3, which is syntax incompatible with the previous, second version. The program comes with the SciTE4AutoIt3 script editor, the AU3Check.exe syntax checker, ready-made examples, the Aut2Exe compiler (and the reverse Exe2Aut) and help. During installation, the * .au3 extension will be associated with the AutoIt interpreter.

The scripting language used by AutoIt is one of its strengths. It is both powerful and simple. For example, to run a program, you just need to write:

That's it, no more action. AutoIt is a great way to automate the installation process for applications that do not support answer files. To catch windows, the WinWaitActive function is usually used to enter parameters, which interrupts the execution of the script until the window is activated. As parameters of the function, you should specify the window title and optional additional text. The latter allows you to distinguish different windows of one program from each other. For example, the windows of the installer of AutoIt itself contain the same title - AutoIt v3.3.6.1.5, that is, if you use:

WinWaitActive ("AutoIt v3.3.6.1.5")

This design will follow all the steps of the installer. Therefore, it is better to clarify by entering additional text that is displayed in the window, for example:

WinWaitActive ("AutoIt v3.3.6.1.5", "License Agreement")

So we will definitely refer to the license agreement window. It remains only to send him a confirmation: Send ("! Y")

As you can see, everything is simple. Along with the programs, the AutoIt Window Info Tool (AU3Info.exe) utility is also installed, which will just help you get all the information on the window title, text (displayed and hidden), status bar, location, color, and so on. We just start and move the cross over the window, after which we read all the values ​​in the Window Info Tool. With its help, it is much easier to collect the necessary information on the experimental program window. Help in AutoIt is very detailed, it has all the subtleties of using the language. In the documentation on the project website, you will find a link to the translated version of the help. Plus, on numerous specialized forums, there is usually a separate branch. There shouldn't be any problems in learning AutoIt, in one evening you can learn how to write simple scripts, complex solutions will naturally require a lot of time.

Xstarter

Another popular program for automating routine tasks of a system administrator. The developer is our compatriot, Alexey Gilev (xstarter.com/rus), respectively, xStarter has a localized interface, and most importantly, the program is distributed free of charge for Russian-speaking users.

Once installed, xStarter can be started manually, automatically when a user logs on to the system, or started as a Windows service. The latter option allows you to run the task at exactly the specified time, regardless of the user's registration in the system and other factors, as long as the computer is turned on. It offers periodic execution of tasks, a compound schedule, setting skips and actions for missed tasks, triggering by event. In general, there are more than enough options. Using xStarter, you can expand the list of hotkeys or override their values ​​globally or locally. For example, you can easily make the task run when you press the key combination , but only if Firefox is running.

The launched program is placed in the tray, by clicking on the icon, we call the task editor. In the Sections / Tasks window, we will find two dozen examples, as they say, for all cases. Included tasks are marked with a green icon.

We select the one that is closest in meaning (or create a new task), copy it using the context menu and edit it to fit our needs. Each task is configurable in four tabs. So, in the "Schedule and Information" tab, we indicate the name of the task, the time or event at which it will be launched, a key combination and an optionally active program window, upon the appearance of which the task should be completed. In the "Actions" tab, the actual macros are written. Press "New action" - a window for setting parameters appears. On the left side, we find the presets, divided into several groups, then clarify the parameters on the right side. The rest of the task tabs allow you to configure variables, set priority, run in a separate process, logging. Everything is very simple and straightforward.

To activate the blocked functions, you must additionally install the xStartHooks module. In this case, xStarter will behave like a typical Trojan or malicious software - it will start to intercept system calls, "press" keys and send messages, which may not like antiviruses and flares. But with some antiviruses (for example, NOD32) this can be easily solved, just add xStarter to the exceptions.

For convenience, macros can be compiled into an exe-file, and all necessary libraries can be automatically added here under certain settings. Then we distribute such files to other systems and execute.

It remains to add that all Windows operating systems from NT4 to 2k8 / 7 are supported.

On the project forum, you can find examples of some popular tasks, including downloading files, sending SMS and e-mail, backing up and synchronizing data.
A special version of Starter Job Scheduler for Firebird / Interbase is also available on the site, it is designed to execute SQL scripts, backup and restore data in these DBMS. Another unique feature is remote control of the launch of tasks, as well as viewing the log using the special xStarter Web Pilot application.

Automate

Probably the most famous commercial task automation software is AutoMate, developed by Network Automation, Inc. (networkautomation.com). Its main feature is the creation of tasks using a user-friendly GUI, without the need to write code. The entire process is simplified through the use of wizards and a dedicated Task Builder. The program contains a large number of ready-made action templates and reactions to them, which further simplifies the process of creating a chain of actions. The current version of AutoMate 7 at the time of this writing supports more than 230 preset actions that allow you to schedule tasks, work with files and databases, transfer data via FTP / SFTP, encrypt using PGP, monitor systems, access WMI, and much more.

AutoMate is available in four editions, all geared towards specific uses: AutoMate Professional and Premium, AutoMateBPAServer 7 Standard and Enterprise. The simplest one - AutoMate Professional - provides a convenient interface for creating tasks on the local system. The most advanced - Enterprise - provides the ability to easily manage accounts and roles, work in AD, provides centralized management of multiple machines, SNMP support, telnet and terminal emulator.
All Win OSs from XP SP2 to 2k8 / 7 are supported. Installation requires Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.0.

The actual management is carried out using two consoles - Task Builder and Task Administrator. Tasks are created in the Task Builder. This process is quite simple: in the panel on the left of the 29 available groups, select the desired action and drag it with the mouse to the middle field. A wizard appears to help you refine your settings. For example, let's create an action that allows you to get data on a hard disk partition. Go to the System -> Get Volume Information menu, a wizard of the same name appears, consisting of four tabs.

We need to sequentially go through and select the parameters in each of them. In General, we indicate the disk partition and the parameters that we want to receive: type, label, file system, location. Alternatively, you can immediately specify the selection of all volumes (All volumes) and then, by clicking the icon next to the field, set the check condition. The program provides a number of built-in variables, functions, and triggers that you can use in this field. You can also create your own condition. In other tabs, a description of the task and an action on errors are set.
After creating a task, it appears in the list in the middle, where it can be edited, moved, disabled, and so on. Further, in the same way, select and add other Actions. For debugging, you can add breakpoints to the job (Breakpoint, ).

The Task Administrator is designed to manage all tasks, both on local and remote systems. Having selected any task in it, we can view its properties, activate or create a new task. Triggers, priority, protection, account under which it will be executed are prescribed in the properties of the task. There are many settings, they are very diverse. Tasks are saved in files with the * .aml extension.

AutoHotkey

AutoHotkey (autohotkey.com) is a fork of AutoIt v2. Its author, Chris Mallett, suggested adding support for hotkeys to AutoIt, but the idea did not find a response, and as a result, the Initial release was released in November 2003. Unlike its parent product, AutoHotkey is available under the GNU GPL license.

The language syntax is based on AutoIt v2, some ideas are taken from v3. With its help, you can easily automate repetitive tasks: starting a program, sending mail, editing the registry. Supported work with files, simulation of mouse clicks, there is the possibility of creating a GUI. The program can monitor system events and take actions when they occur.

But the trick of AutoHotkey is the hotkey management. For example, to start the calculator with the combination , we write just one line:

The hash mark "#" corresponds to the key ... The documentation is quite detailed (the translation is available at www.script-coding.info/AutoHotkeyTranslation.html), it reflects all the features of the language. In addition to the interpreter itself, the project offers a utility for creating a GUI - SmartGUI Creator and SciTE4AutoHotkey editor with highlighting and code completion.

Scripts (extension * .ahk) can be compiled into an exe file and executed on any computer.

Install Firefox automatically with AutoIt

AutoItSetOption ("WinTitleMatchMode", 2)
AutoItSetOption ("WinDetectHiddenText", 1)
WinMinimizeAll ()
Sleep (1000)
Run ("FirefoxSetup3.6.6.exe")
WinWait ("Install Mozilla Firefox")
Send ("(ENTER)")
WinWait ("Mozilla Firefox Installation", "Installation Type")
Send ("(ENTER)")
WinWait ("Install Mozilla Firefox", "Summary")
Send ("(ENTER)")
WinWait ("Install Mozilla Firefox", "Shutdown
installation wizard ")
Send ("(ENTER)")
Exit

AUTOMATION ANYWHERE

The development of the Californian company Tethys Solutions, LLC () has already earned the recognition of the admins and awarded by various media publications. With Automation Anywhere, you can easily automate any repetitive operation, both simple and complex, without the need for programming.

I must say right away that the product is very serious and has a huge number of possibilities. The program can work with files, send mail, start tasks according to a plan or when a trigger is triggered, use VBS and JavaScript scripts, and much more. The technology, called "SMART Automation Technology", relieves the administrator of the need to be a programmer as well. Recording can be done in automatic mode, when the computer records all the user's actions. In the future, such a task, immediately or after editing, can be “scrolled” on other systems, observing how the mouse itself runs across the screen and presses buttons. The program offers two recorders: Object Recorder for desktop applications and Web Recorder for recording a sequence of actions in a web browser.

Moreover, Web Recorder in the latest version of the program supports all the main technologies used in the web: Java, JavaScript, AJAX, Flash, frames. The process is quite simple: we launch Automation Anywhere, select a recorder, and the program starts recording all user actions. To stop, press the combination or click on the "Stop" icon in the floating window at the bottom of the screen. At the end of the process, the program will offer to save the record to a file (extension * .atmn). Editing and manual creation of a task is done using the Task Editor.

The developers have already included in the program several task templates that can be used as examples. Editing a recorded assignment also does not require knowledge of the code. By pressing the Edit button, we will see the entire sequence of actions performed on the screen (mouse movements, keystrokes).

The left editor window shows predefined commands, divided by category, that can be added to the task. There is everything here: working with files and directories, backup, Excel spreadsheets, connecting to the Internet, sending e-mail, capturing a desktop image, starting / stopping services. Select the desired task and simply drag it to the right window. The properties editing window immediately opens, in which we fill in the proposed parameters (they are specific for each item). The editor supports additional scripts, working with variables, debugging and much more.

The created task can be exported to an executable file and distributed to other systems.

The task can start by time or when a trigger is triggered, this behavior is configured in the Trigger Manager, here you can choose: starting a window with a specific text, the appearance of a file in the directory, resource load (CPU, memory, free space), start / stop of a process or service, receiving a specific e-mail. The developers have not forgotten about security - Automation Anywhere allows you to protect the script with a password and encrypt.

In general, everything you need is in the program, only localization is missing. Supports Automation Anywhere all Windows versions: from XP to 2k8 / 7.

Conclusion

In fact, there are much more programs for automating routine tasks. Paid versions are distinguished by great convenience and friendly interface, the ability to work in a network environment. Although, depending on the preparation and desire to tinker with the settings, you can get by with free programs like xStarter, AutoIt or AutoHotkey.

Standard Windows Task Scheduler

Microsoft finally realized the need for a normal scheduler, and starting with Vista, the system has an improved Task Scheduler (Administration .. Task Scheduler, or taskschd.msc) - significantly redesigned compared to previous versions. Its interface allows you to connect to another computer for configuration, create (simple and advanced) or import a task. Thus, the main elements of the task are Triggers, Actions, Conditions and Settings. The trigger determines when and upon the occurrence of what event to start the task: by time, when the computer is turned on, when the system logs on, when an event appears in the log. In the latter case, you must specify the log where the event will be tracked, the source and the event code.

The conditions and parameters clarify the essence of the task, and the action determines what actually can be done (start the program, send a message). The possibility of delayed start of a task allows you to delay the start in situations when its immediate start is unacceptable (for example, high system load). Conditions specify other options for the job, for example, when the computer is idle.

The article was published on the Boris Lion website on June 21, 2008 - http://borislion.ru/ (The initiative to write this article belongs to Boris Lion, for which many thanks to him)

In this article, you will learn about automating routine actions on your computer. And also I will talk about how and with the help of what this automation can be organized.

Quite often, on a computer, you have to do some simple but repetitive actions such as mouse movements, keystrokes, text input.

This is a monotonous and completely uninteresting job. How I would like it to be done by itself! Or, so that its execution would be taken over by the computer.

That's quite possible.

To solve this problem, there are special programs that allow you to record user actions (mouse movements, keystrokes) and then reproduce them at the right time.

Roughly speaking, you show the computer what it needs to do, and then it will reproduce your actions then and as many times as you need.

In this case, the software with which you work will assume that the reproduced actions come from the user, from you.

This way, you can automate any repetitive actions on your computer.

I tried several automation programs and most of all I was satisfied with the development of Denis Safonov called AutoClickExtreme:.

The AutoClickExtreme program serves just to automate repeated user actions.

With it, you can process tables in Excel, work through a large number of files, make a backup copy of important data, and also transfer databases from one format to another.

These are just a few of the possible uses of this program. With it, you can automate almost any simple repetitive task.

Here are some useful features of AutoClickExtreme.

1. Ability to quickly replay recorded actions. A computer is faster than you and can do the same things dozens of times faster.
2. The ability to manually edit the result of recording actions. For example, you can remove unnecessary actions in the recording, such as unnecessary movement of the mouse.
3. Possibility to insert text of any length instead of any short word (function "autotext") in any program.
4. The launch of a specific playback can be tied to a hotkey. And using this key, launch it at any moment you need.
5. The ability to play back recorded actions in a loop any number of times. Put on 100,000 cycles and go to bed, everything will be done by itself.
6. The ability to insert arbitrary delay into recorded actions. You can postpone the start for any period of time, insert a delay command between any actions.

Besides the benefits, there are some limitations when using AutoClickExtreme.

1. Does not always adequately reproduce recorded actions in games based on DirectX.
2. There is no way to work with console programs, since work with it is based on different principles of entering information from the keyboard and mouse than Windows applications.

Personal automation is a creative business, for sure you can come up with some kind of your own, original application of this program.

I will now give you some valuable ideas for using AutoClickExtreme.

• In your absence, it is possible to run any programs or processes. Moreover, your computer itself may well do complex things such as launching an Internet connection, connecting to a specific site and performing some actions on it.
• It is possible to perform actions for programs running with long delays. It is better to leave in your absence the "robot" instead of itself, which will continue the business after the completion of any lengthy process.
• Organization of the launch of certain programs and documents when the computer boots up so that you can immediately start working with them. Another option is to prepare several options for running programs or documents, depending on the type of work. And there will be no need to waste time preparing before work.
• Configure your own "hotkeys" that were not provided in a particular program. Write down the necessary actions with the program, and "hang" them on a specific hotkey.
• Massively process a large number of documents: databases, images, texts, making some kind of standardized edits.
• It is possible to back up valuable documents on your computer. Automated backup of the most important folders to another medium, which would be done without your presence, will protect your work files from loss in case of failures.
• If in the work you need to automate something to number or calculate, you can use the standard program "calculator" or Excel, where the data is inserted, the calculation is carried out and the result is then copied to another file.
• It is convenient to distribute information from one document to several different ones.

Why does it make sense to automate your work as much as possible with AutoClickExtreme?

• You will be able to save time and nerves that you would spend on routine operations.
• Using the call of recorded actions on hotkeys, you can give yourself additional tools for work, even more saving your time.
• You completely rule out errors. The human factor works, and when performing the same type of work, sometimes there will be shortcomings. The computer is not wrong.

Overall I liked AutoClickExtreme. It is interesting that the demo tape draws quite complex images "by hand" in the Paint graphic editor. It's worth looking at.

Summing up, I can say that optimizing and automating your work on a computer is an important topic that allows you to get a lot of benefits. AutoClickExtreme is a very useful tool that I advise you to try and use.

It happens that working at the computer turns into a monotonous execution of the same actions, into a cycle in which you have to use the mouse and keyboard, performing the same movements on the screen and pressing the same buttons. This tedious job can be automated with the free Ghost Automizer program. Ghost Automizer is a program for recording and automating user actions. The utility remembers the user's actions and repeats them, saving him from routine and saving his time. We recorded the actions of the mouse with the keyboard and started executing the resulting algorithm in a loop - very convenient.

Recording mouse and keyboard actions

Click the "Record Actions" button and Ghost Automizer will begin to record your mouse and keyboard actions in detail. To complete the recording of actions, the user is required to press the F12 button. The program of actions obtained in this way can be edited and saved to disk in order to use the recorded actions in the future. The application settings allow you to save pauses when recording actions, enable / disable keyboard recording, select the recording mode of the accuracy of the mouse pointer movement (precise, rough and best way), use the delayed start of playback of recorded actions. To make it easier to control Ghost Automizer, you can assign hotkeys to execute previously saved workflows. Additional program settings allow you to automatically start executing recorded actions when you start Ghost Automizer from Explorer and automatically close the utility at the end of the sequence of actions, minimize it to the system tray or taskbar.

Screenshots of Ghost Automizer

Size: 814 KB
Price: 15.00 $
Purpose: task scheduler

We have to perform many actions on a regular basis. Our weekdays are exercises, breakfast, shower, a trip to the office. Many people have their entire working day scheduled by the minute. You may accidentally forget about something or deliberately skip some of the usual actions.

The virtual life of computer systems is fortunately amenable to automation. You can schedule any task for a specific time, and it will definitely be completed. It is a pity that with the help of any higher powers it is impossible to prescribe automatic teeth cleaning, shaving and other tiresome procedures. But what is impossible in the real world has long been implemented in computers, within the framework of a special class of software designed to automate processes.

Active Task Manager is a utility for the automatic execution of a variety of tasks, with which you can schedule programs that require regular startup. The essence of the utility's work is to answer two eternal questions - "what?" and when?".

The Active Task Manager working window consists of a taskbar with a small number of items and a list of assigned tasks. By default, the program is configured to perform regular backups, check disk integrity, and a constant reminder to register.

Executable files EXE, COM, and BAT batch modules can be scheduled tasks. In addition, the program can display a variety of warnings, back up using, and turn off the computer.

The regularity of tasks can be set in the form of intervals between successive launches, by specifying the exact times during the day, week or month.

A new task is created using the Add Task button. This opens up a fairly simple, straightforward wizard. First, you need to enter the name of the future task. Then you have to specify the type of task - application execution, reminder, backup or computer shutdown. Reminders can be either text messages or sound alerts.

If you choose to launch the task, you will need to select the path to the executable module and specify the launch keys. Next, you set the frequency of the task execution. The work is done.

To set up a reminder, you are prompted to enter its text message, as well as specify a sound file. The choice of frequency for all types of transactions is identical.

Backup works only if there is an Active Backup Expert module in the system, and you can only specify the type of data copy creation - full copy or incremental add-on.

Computer shutdown means the end of the current session, complete shutdown of the workstation, reboot, as well as bringing the system into a state where you can safely disconnect the computer from the network (electrical). The shutdown of the PC can be carried out in the traditional way, as well as in the force mode.

After you finish configuring the program, you will only see a small bell in the system tray. If you hover your mouse cursor over it, you will see a standard pop-up window (baloon) with information about the status of upcoming tasks.

The program works as a standard Windows service, which, according to information from the official website, takes only 180KB in RAM. Active Task Manager is a simple, compact utility for scheduling processes, which has not been seriously criticized during the entire testing period. All manually scheduled tasks performed exactly as described in the Help.