Windows Service Vs. Scheduled Task

Windows Service

• Interval specific, i.e. you can create a timer that runs every 4 hours etc
• Runs all the time.
• You can set up listener events to push actions
• No GUI. Any interaction will be carried out via EventLogs, counters and such.
• Runs in own security context, i.e. does not need to care which user logs in etc.
• More reliable?

Scheduled Task

• You can specify exact timing, e.g. 8pm every Wednesday.
• There is a console to display output messages.
• You can run the application based on logged in user.

Scheduled Tasks using Windows Service

1) Create a new Console Application (WindowsScheduledTask) using Visual Studio .NET.
- This console application contains the code for your scheduled task
- Example: Archive database records, Send email alert
2) Go to Windows Start -> Control Panel -> Scheduled Tasks.
- Clicking Add Scheduled Tasks will launch the Scheduled Task Wizard
- Click on “Browse” to add the scheduled task application (WindowsScheduledTask.exe)
- Set the scheduling properties
3) You can set advanced properties for the task by checking the box at the last segment of the wizard.
- Check “Show multiple schedules” to run the task more than once a day
- You can also set the start date and end date of the task