Wanted: Open file at date and time

easymon1 · Jun 15, 2022

Know a simple easy method to enter a date and time at which a text file will be opened?
Input: 2022 0617 0915
Action: at that time this file is opened to the desktop, e.g. 'NewsAnnouncement.txt'

Using windows taskscheduler for setting that up for each and every announcement, some of which do not repeat as reliably as jobless claims, is a pain.
Dos command line is fine. Anything fancier without sacrificing simplicity is icing on the cake.

Later that same day after the text was opened and dismissed, to open the same file this would be the input: 2022 0617 1300 .

DaveV · Jun 15, 2022

DOS AT command:

The AT command has been deprecated. Please use schtasks.exe instead.

The AT command schedules commands and programs to run on a computer at
a specified time and date. The Schedule service must be running to use
the AT command.

AT [\\computername] [ [id] [/DELETE] | /DELETE [/YES]]
AT [\\computername] time [/INTERACTIVE]
[ /EVERY:date[,...] | /NEXT:date[,...]] "command"

\\computername Specifies a remote computer. Commands are scheduled on the
local computer if this parameter is omitted.
id Is an identification number assigned to a scheduled
command.
/delete Cancels a scheduled command. If id is omitted, all the
scheduled commands on the computer are canceled.
/yes Used with cancel all jobs command when no further
confirmation is desired.
time Specifies the time when command is to run.
/interactive Allows the job to interact with the desktop of the user
who is logged on at the time the job runs.
/every:date[,...] Runs the command on each specified day(s) of the week or
month. If date is omitted, the current day of the month
is assumed.
/next:date[,...] Runs the specified command on the next occurrence of the
day (for example, next Thursday). If date is omitted, the
current day of the month is assumed.
"command" Is the Windows NT command, or batch program to be run.

swinging tick · Jun 16, 2022

Use scripting lang like AutoHotKey. What you need is done in 3-5 lines of simple code in AHK.

Overnight · Jun 17, 2022

easymon1 said:
So far so good, lol.
batch file 'News Announcement.bat' contains this...
start "" "C:\News Announcement.txt"

and opens a text file that contiains something like this...
Thu Jun 16
8:30am
Philly Fed Manufacturing Index
Unemployment Claims
Building Permits
Housing Starts

8:30 AM ET
USA US:Housing Starts and Permits
USA US:Jobless Claims
USA UShiladelphia Fed Manufacturing Index

Now, what's wanted is to
- run that batch file at specific time.

"The AT command has been deprecated. Please use schtasks.exe instead."
Anybody know how this goes?

Is it possible to make schtasks run at specific time
https://www.dogpile.com/serp?q=Is+it+possible+to+make+schtasks+run+at+specific+time

Jiminy Christmas. You have been reduced to running DOS commands on the command prompt in Windows to schedule a simple pop-up? Oh my how far we have fallen.

Dare I say we have fallen into NI territory now.

easymon1 · Jun 17, 2022

So far so good, lol.
batch file 'News Announcement.bat' contains this...
start "" "C:\News Announcement.txt"

and opens a text file that contiains something like this...
Thu Jun 16
8:30am
Philly Fed Manufacturing Index
Unemployment Claims
Building Permits
Housing Starts

8:30 AM ET
USA US:Housing Starts and Permits
USA US:Jobless Claims
USA US

hiladelphia Fed Manufacturing Index

Now, what's wanted is to
- run that batch file at specific time.

"The AT command has been deprecated. Please use schtasks.exe instead."
Anybody know how this goes?

Is it possible to make schtasks run at specific time
https://www.dogpile.com/serp?q=Is+it+possible+to+make+schtasks+run+at+specific+time

Is it possible to make batch file run at specific time
https://www.dogpile.com/serp?q=Is+it+possible+to+make+batch+file+run+at+specific+time

... or whatever tool gets the job done.
simple is beautiful ...

easymon1 · Jun 18, 2022

Overnight said:
to schedule a simple pop-up?

That's the idea. Do you have a solution that is less kludgey than windows task scheduler GUI?

tiddlywinks · Jun 18, 2022

easymon1 said:
That's the idea. Do you have a solution

https://www.splinterware.com/products/scheduler.html

easymon1 · Jun 18, 2022

tiddlywinks said:
https://www.splinterware.com/products/scheduler.html

Thank you for the link. I always wonder what might be tagging along for the download ride into my computer with such products, otherwise that would be something to consider. Overnight will pull through with something.

Overnight · Jun 18, 2022

easymon1 said:
Thank you for the link. I always wonder what might be tagging along for the download ride into my computer with such products, otherwise that would be something to consider. Overnight will pull through with something.

Sorry man, I got nothing for you as I do not ever run scheduled tasks. But I wold put aside your paranoia about downloading third-party progs, and possibly "catching" something.

I've reviewed the link tiddlywink provided, and I see no reason to suspect they are a bad actor. You can tell by the support forum.

https://www.splinterware.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=ad1dc56b02ed0ad475ad8224a06152f2

They have a free version for eval. It will not hurt you to try them. Make sure your malware and anti-virals are up to date if you are nervous, and you should be fine.

Overnight · Jun 18, 2022

easymon1 said:
So a batch file named 'News Announcement.bat' contains this command, start "" "C:\News Announcement.txt" which opens a text file that contiains whatever's posted into it, e.g. something like this...
8:30 AM - US:Housing Starts, Jobless Claims, Mfr Index...

Easymon, the best task scheduler is in your head. Why do you need to program all this crazy stuff to...Don't even know what you are doing...Pop-up a website to show you a new release or something? What is your actual goal?