Is it possible to have a scheduled task click a button in Windows?

Posted by Jeremy Lattimore on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by Jeremy Lattimore
Published on 2012-08-27T23:56:47Z Indexed on 2012/08/28 9:40 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 235

Filed under:

scripting

|

scheduled-task

One of my clients has an application that can not be run from command line or via API but needs to be run on an scheduled basis. It would require that I launch the application if it's not already running and then click a button. This task would exist on a server.

I had read about AutoHotKey but it doesn't sound like it can click buttons from a Scheduled Task.

Does anyone have ideas on how to do this?

NOTE: As I answered below... I know this is a hack. It would be better to have an app that can actually be scheduled to run. Unfortunately (for me) this application isn't going to be replaced as it is connected to the client's beloved inventory management system and the entire deal is proprietary. So I just need to find an option to attempt this (might not be completely reliable I know). Thanks.

© Server Fault or respective owner

Related posts about scripting

Advantages to Server Scripting languages over Client Side Scripting languages

as seen on DotNetBlocks - Search for 'DotNetBlocks'
There are numerous advantages to server scripting languages over client side scripting languages in regards to creating web sites that are more compelling compared to a standard static site. Server side scripts are executed on a web server during the compilation of data to return to a client… >>> More
Scripting the Vim editor, Part 5: Event-driven scripting and automation

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
<b>IBM Developerworks:</b> "Why repeat yourself? You can configure Vim’s comprehensive event model to execute time-saving scripts whenever particular editing events—such as loading a file or switching between editor modes—occur." >>> More
What does (Lua) game scripting mean?

as seen on Programmers - Search for 'Programmers'
I've read that Lua is often used for embedded scripting and in particular game for scripting. I find it hard to picture how it is used exactly. Can you describe why and for which features and for which audience it is used? This questions isn't specifically addressing Lua, but rather any embedded… >>> More
How to find from GUI whether Client Side scripting or server side scripting is running

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
We have a GUI which runs on ASP.NET 2.0 framework (Client-Server model). From the support perspective how can one find whether the pages which are opening on GUI at any point of time is a server side scripting or Client side scripting. The reason why I ask this is because I understand that some of… >>> More
UNIX Shell-scripting: UDV

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I am writing a simple unix shell script: #!/bin/bash # abort the script if a command fails set -e # abort the script if an unitialized shell variable is used set -u i = 0; while [$i -l 1] do src/meshpro input/martini.off video/noise/image$i… >>> More

Related posts about scheduled-task

Running a scheduled task as SYSTEM with console window open

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I am auto creating scheduled tasks with this line within a batch windows script: schtasks /Create /RU SYSTEM /RP SYSTEM /TN startup-task-%%i /TR %SPEEDWAY_DIR%\%TARGET_DIR%%%i\%STARTUPFILE% /SC HOURLY /MO 1 /ST 17:%%i1:00 I wanted to avoid using specific user credentials and thus decided to use… >>> More
Windows 2008 R2 Scheduled Task Not Running With Admin Privileges even if granted?

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I have a scheduled task that is running as USER. I have checked the box "Run with highest privileges" in the scheduled task properties. The task is a powershell script that, among other things, reboots the system. The script executes and runs normally, but as a scheduled task, it fails to reboot… >>> More
Update password for scheduled task

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I have a scheduled task that needs to run as a service account. The service account's password resets every 100 days, so I need to update the password for the scheduled task. I cannot figure out how to do this. When I select "Change User or Group" in the scheduled tasks' properties I get no prompt… >>> More
How can I get a scheduled task to run for a user regardless of which computer the user is logged onto?

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I've got a scheduled task that needs to run for a user at a specific time. However, the user sometimes logs onto one machine, the next day onto another, then next week onto yet another. At some pint during the day, the user might have to log onto another machine. How do I get the scheduled task to… >>> More
Add Scheduled Task to reset search indexes for Exchange 2007

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I simply want to run a ResetSearchIndex -force on a schedule. What is the correct usage for the command in the Scheduled Task properties? It seems I would first need to start Powershell, then load the console file or snap-in for Exchange, which one of these is the closest: C:\WINDOWS\system32\WINDOW~2\v1… >>> More