When you want to Schedule a Macro Script to run at a Later Date Time 1 time or at recurring time intervals, you can use Windows Task Scheduler and Automate Script Execution. This post provides basic tutorial on how to use Windows Task Scheduler to create Basic Task, Test Run the Script Execution and even schedule it to run as and when required. All you need to do is create a Macro Script which ensures that the Graphical User Interface Elements on Desktop remain are at appropriate locations for Mouse Automation.

Schedule Script Execution With Windows Task Scheduler

Once you have created the required Script, you can use Windows Task Scheduler to Schedule Script Execution with steps outlined below. Do make sure to run the Task in Windows Task Scheduler and ensure that the script execution will run fine with desired results. Do make sure that there are no errors in Script Execution.

1. Create a Macro Script and Save it on your Windows Computer.
2. Invoke System Tray Menu by doing a Left Mouse Click on the top left corner of this Windows Automation Software as displayed in the Screenshot below.
   

   System Tray Menu with Task Scheduler Menu Selected

   This Action allows you to Copy required data for Windows Task Scheduler to be copied by this Software onto Clipboard.

3. Launch Windows Task Scheduler and create a basic Task, specify Name of the new Task and provide Description (optional).
4. On the Second Screen of Creating Basic Windows Task, select frequency of this new Task Execution from available options including Daily, Weekly, Monthly, One Time, When the Computer Starts, When I Log on, or when a Specific Event is triggered.
5. Depending on the Frequency Selection, you will be presented to select appropriate Date, Time, Event, etc for the New Task in Windows Task Scheduler.
6. Once you have specified the required parameters, move on to the next tab and select the Action as Start a Program and move to the next screen.
   

   Start a Program with Windows Task Scheduler

7. Now you need to specify Application File Path and Script File Path in Arguments as displayed in the Screenshot below.
   

   Basic Task for Macro Script Execution with Windows Task Scheduler

   Note that in the Arguments field, an extra option <SystemTray> has been specified to mark the Script for Execution. Without <SystemTray>, the Script will be opened for Editing Only and the Script will not be Executed.

8. Finally Click on the Next Button review all the information and click on Finish to create a basic Windows Task to Execute the Macro Script at configured frequency with the help of Windows Task Scheduler.
9. The Last and Final Step required for smooth execution of Macro Script with Windows Task Scheduler is to enable the option titled Execute with highest privileges as displayed in the screenshot below.
   

   Enable the Checkbox titled Run with Highest Privileges for the newly Create Task in Windows Task Scheduler

Once you have completed, the above steps do make sure to test run the Script Execution so that you are 100% sure that the Windows Task Scheduler will be able to execute the Macro Script without errors at a later Date / Time or depending on specific event. As you can run this Windows Automation Software with or without Admin Privileges, you need to ensure that Windows Task Scheduler can indeed run your Script taking into consideration the current Settings of AMC Version Selector.

AMC Version Selector Setting to Avoid 0x800702e4 Error in Windows Task Scheduler

When the AMC Version Selector has been configured to use Auto Mouse Click Application in Default Version for Games or Apps which require Admin Access, the Windows Task Scheduler can error 0x800702e4 and a quick way to resolve this is to run AMC without Admin Access. You can also use Startup Parameters of Macro Script to execute Macro Script at a Later Date Time without handling the complexity of Windows Task Scheduler. Yes the Windows Task Scheduler offers more configurable options to schedule Script Execution and can even be used on Unattended Computers.

The Launch App Action can be used to open a URL with the help of a Shortcut. To get started, create a Shortcut and instead of specifying File with, specify a valid URL like http://amc.murgee.com/ mailto:support@MurGee.com, tel:4444 or any other valid URL. Once you have created a Shortcut, you can use the Launch App or even Launch & Wait App Action to open the URL which will open default browser, windows email client, or any other application registered for the appropriate protocol of the URL.

Open URL from Macro Script

The above Screenshot displays steps required to create a Script with the Launch App Action, however the same rules apply for the Launch & Wait Action as well which are actions to launch existing Windows Applications on your Windows Computer. Opening a URL with a Shortcut just adds an extra step and basically the steps required to use the Launch App or the Launch & Wait Actions are the same. Given below procedure outlines the steps required to launch a URL with the default application registered for the appropriate protocol of the URL.

1. Create a Shortcut on Desktop or any other Folder Location. In the above Screenshot, author Right Clicked on Desktop, Selected New – > Shortcut and then in the Create Shortcut Screen, entered a URL as displayed above.
2. The Next Step is to specify a File Name for the Shortcut and Finish the procedure.
3. In the Macro Script, add a Launch App or Launch & Wait Action, Double Click on it and select the Shortcut file.
4. That’s it, when the Macro Action is executed, the default application for the URL will be launched to open the specified URL.

The above procedure can be used to open Website URL with http or https protocol, Default email client with mailto protocol, chat / telephone application with tel protocol, etc. Given below are few valid URLs which can be used in the above Launch App / Launch & Wait Actions.

• http or https to open Website URLs like https://www.murgee.com/
• mailto to open Default EMail Client e.g. mailto:Support@MurGee.com
• tel to open Default Chat / Telephone Application e.g. tel:4444
• Other valid protocols like ftp, etc

Launch App Action opens URL with appropriate default application and proceeds to the execution of next Macro Action, however the Launch & Wait Action launches the default application and waits for it to be closed before proceeding to the execution of next step. This method can be used to open Browser Windows, Sen Email with Default EMail Client, Open SkyPe or whatapp to send Messages as per applications installed on your Windows Computer.

There are multiple ways in which you can execute your Macro Script. This post talks about all of the available ways to execute the Macro Script. Short description is provided for all the Script Execution Methods and appropriate links are provided in this post to explore any specific Script Execution method in Detail.

1. Assign a keyboard Shortcut to Start / Stop Script Execution.
2. Create a Desktop Shortcut to Execute a specific Macro Script.
3. Right Click on the Script File on Windows Explorer and use the Execute Menu Item.
4. Schedule the Macro Script to run at a Later Date / Time.
5. Press the Start / Stop Buttons on the Main Screen of the Software.

Use a Keyboard Shortcut to Execute a Macro Script

Using a Keyboard Shortcut to execute a Macro Script is the simplest way to execute the Macro Script. The Keyboard Shortcut Assigned in this method becomes a System Wide Keyboard Shortcut and works even when your Macro Script Window is Minimized. Once you Close the Macro Script Window, the Keyboard Shortcut Assigned to Start / Stop the Script Execution is no longer valid.

Execute a Macro Script with a Keyboard Shortcut

The procedure to Assign a Keyboard Shortcut to Execute a Macro Script is displayed in the Screenshot above and is outlined below:

1. Locate Start / Stop Script Execution label at the bottom of the Macro Script Window.
2. Click on the white colored shortcut control field (it has None written in it) just next to the found label, and click on it.
3. Once you have clicked on the White Colored Shortcut Control (with None written on it), press desired Keyboard Shortcut. In the Screenshot above the Keyboard Shortcut F6 has been pressed as a Keyboard Shortcut to Start / Stop Script Execution.
4. Now finally click on the Assign button and now you are ready to use this Keyboard Shortcut to Start / Stop Script Execution.

When you want to change the Keyboard Shortcut assigned to any Macro Script, you can click on Clear button to remove existing Keyboard Shortcut or simply Assign a new Keyboard Shortcut to Start / Stop Script Execution. Note that when the Script is running, press the Keyboard Shortcut would stop Script execution after the time delay of current Macro Action.

Use a Desktop Shortcut to Start / Stop Macro Script Execution

You can create a Desktop Shortcut to Execute any specific Macro Script. You do need to save your Macro Script before creating the Desktop Shortcut using the procedure displayed in the Screenshot below. Desktop Shortcuts can be assigned Keyboard Shortcuts which become System wide Keyboard Shortcuts and do exist until the Keyboard Shortcut Exists.

Execute a Macro Script with a Desktop Shortcut

The Desktop Shortcut created using this procedure is created on Desktop, however you can move it to any different location as you want later. You can also assign a Keyboard Shortcut to the Desktop Shortcut from the Properties Screen of the Shortcut. The procedure to create Desktop Shortcut is outlined as below:

1. Save your Macro Script to any Folder Location.
2. Click on the Top Left Corner of the Script Window to view System menu of the Software.
3. Click on the Menu item titled Create Desktop Shortcut to Execute Script as displayed in the Screenshot above.
4. A Windows Explorer window will open with the newly created Desktop Shortcut selected and ready to use.
5. Optionally Right Click on the Desktop Shortcut to view Context Menu and Click on Properties Menu item and assign a Keyboard Shortcut to execute the Desktop Shortcut and in turn execute the Macro Script.

In case you do follow step 5 above and Assign a Keyboard Shortcut, you do not need to keep the Macro Script Window Open for the Keyboard Shortcut to work. Yes whenever you want to remove the assigned Keyboard Shortcut to the Desktop Shortcut, you can modify properties of the Desktop Shortcut to remove the Keyboard Shortcut or delete the Desktop Shortcut altogether.

Right Click on the Script File and Use Execute Menu Command

You can Locate your Macro Script File in Windows Explorer and Execute the Macro Script by using the Execute Command from the Right Click Menu of Windows Explorer as displayed in the Screenshot below. This Method of Script Execution does not requires creation of any Desktop or Keyboard Shortcut, however without a Keyboard Shortcut (as created in Method 1 above), you will not be able to Stop Script Execution.

Execute a Macro Script from Windows Explorer with Execute Menu Command

The Procedure to Execute a Macro Script from Windows Explorer is as described below. Note that if you double click on the Macro Script File in Windows Explorer, it will open up the Macro Script for Editing unless the Startup Parameters of the Macro Script have been configured to Start Macro Script Execution.

1. Locate the Macro Script File in Windows Explorer.
2. Click on it’s file icon to select the Script File.
3. Now Right Click on the Script File to view Context Menu as displayed in the screenshot above.
4. Finally Select the Execute Menu Item and your Macro Script will start execution.

Note that if you have defined a Keyboard Shortcut to Start / Stop Script Execution, you can use that Keyboard Shortcut during Script Execution to Stop Macro Script Execution irrespective of the method used to Start Scrip Execution.

Schedule Macro Script to run at a Later Date / Time

This method of Macro Script Execution requires you to Keep the Script Window Open or Minimized and the Script Execution is started at pre-configured Date / Time. The post Schedule Script Execution talks in detail about using this method of Macro Script Execution. Yes as mentioned above the Keyboard Shortcut assigned to the Start / Stop Script Execution can be used to Stop Script Execution anytime during the Script Execution.

Press the Start / Stop Buttons on the Main Screen of the Software

You can press the Start Button on the Main Window of the Macro Script to Start Script Execution. When a Script is being executed, the title of the Start Button changes to Stop and can be pressed to Stop the Script Execution. Apart from title change of Start / Stop Button, the current Macro Action being executed is selected automatically in the List of Actions to be executed in sequence.

Before starting Macro Script Execution, do make sure that you do understand how does the Script works, what will the Script do and how much time it will take. It is always a good idea to make small scripts, understand how to use and control this Windows Automation Software and only when you are comfortable in controlling the Script Execution proceed towards making large Macro Scripts.

When you want to Control other Windows Applications from a Macro Script, you can use Application Control Macro Actions. This post provides a brief introduction about Controlling and Communicating with other Windows Applications from a Macro Script. First of all do have a look at the given below screenshot and note that only Application Control Macro Actions have been kept and other Mouse Clicking, Key pressing and other Macro Actions have been removed for the sake of simplicity.

Control other Windows Applications from the Macro Script

Note that in the above Screenshot, direct Application Control Actions have been kept. Yes you can have other Macro Actions enabled like Mouse Clicking, Macro Recording, etc, however as we are talking here about other Windows Application Control, only the Macro Actions which can directly control other Windows Application running on your Windows Computer have been kept for simplicity.

1. Show Desktop : This Action when Executed Minimizes all the Applications running on your Windows Computer. Adding this Action at the top ensures that you always start your Macro Script Execution with exactly no Application Window on Screen.
2. Launch App : This Macro Action when executed launches a Windows Application (File with extension .exe) or opens a document file with the default Application assigned for it.
3. Launch & Wait : This Macro Action performs exactly like the Macro Action Launch App, however it waits for the Application launched to be closed. Once the Launched Application is closed, the Script Execution control can move ahead and execute remaining Macro Actions in the Script (If any).
4. Show Window : The Show Window Macro Action when executed Shows a Minimized / Hidden Application Window when executed. The Window to be shown by this Macro Action is identified by it’s Title and is configured when creating the Macro Script.
5. Close Window : The Close Window Macro Action closes an Application Window. Technically speaking, this Macro Action when executed presses the Close Button of the pre-configured Window identified by Window Title.
6. Wait for Window : This Macro Action waits for a Window to appear on Screen identified by Title of the Window. The Window to wait for is configured when the Macro Action is added to the Script. This can be really handy when you are sure that a particular Application Window will appear during the Script Workflow.
7. Move Window : This Macro Action when executed Moves an Application Window to pre-determined Screen Location. When you are using Mouse Clicking and other Screen Location specific Windows Automation tasks, fixed location of an Application Window during the Script Execution will ensure exact and correct Windows Automation.

When creating Macro Scripts to run for longer duration or even run unattended, do make sure that you do know and have planned Application Windows on your Computer. Display Resolution, Number of Monitors connected in Extended Mode, Application Windows on Screen and everything can have an important role in Accurate Workflow of Macro Script Execution. You might wish to Capture Screenshots from your Macro Script to create a Log of Script Execution. Once you do fully understand and control the Applications running on your Windows Computer at the time of intended Windows Automation, you can fully utilize above mentioned Windows Application Control Macro Actions in best possible way.

Other Settings of Auto Mouse Click to Control behavior of Script Editor and other parameters

An Information Box appears whenever you add a Macro Action that requires further input from your side. Once you are comfortable in adding Macro Actions to the Script and do understand the extra steps required to configure Macro Actions in the Script, you can use Other Settings Screen to disable Information Box and Audible Alerts when adding new Macro Actions to the Script. The above Screenshot of Other Settings Screen accessible from the Right Click Menu offers control over Script Editor behavior and other parameters which affect Script Execution.

The Macro Script Execution, Behavior of Script Editor and other Parameters of the Auto Mouse Click Application Software can be configured and controlled with Settings and other Parameters. This post talks about various Settings and other Configurable Parameters available to control the general behavior of the Application. To get started, do a Right Click on the White Colored List of Script Actions as displayed in the Screenshot below and review all the Menu Items present in the Context Menu.

Open Settings from Right Click Menu to Configure Auto Mouse Click Application

From the Right Click Menu, do locate the Menu Item titled Settings… as displayed in the Screenshot above. Once you have located the Settings Menu Item, click on it to view the Settings Screen. Given below parameters are available in the Settings Screen :

• Mouse Simulation Method
• Keyboard Simulation Method
• Time Delay between Mouse Down and Mouse Up
• Time Delay between Keystroke Down and Keystroke Up

Settings Screen to Configure Mouse and Keyboard Simulation Method and Time Delay between Mouse and Key Up

There are Other Settings available which control various parameters which control behavior of inbuilt Script Editor and other parameters as given below:

• Whether to Change Mouse Cursor when the Script is Executing.
• Custom Cursor File path to be displayed when Script is Executing.
• Whether to display Script Execution Indicator when Script is Executing.
• Whether to Speak Macro Script Action Name when the Macro Script is added to the Script in Script Editor.
• Whether to display Information Message when an Action is Added to the Macro Script.
• Remember Last Position and Size of the Main Application Window.
• Keep Main Window on Top of other Windows.
• Control whether Pick button adds selected action or it just reads Mouse Cursor Location and updates them in the X and Y fields.
• Control whether Mouse Movements are simulated or done in a single step.

Other Settings of Auto Mouse Click to Control behavior of Script Editor and other parameters

Apart from above Settings which are applicable to the Application in General, there are Startup Parameters which are applicable for individual Scripts. In case you want to control the Startup behavior of an individual Script, use the Startup Parameters Screen as displayed in the Screenshot below.

Configure Startup Parameters of a Macro Script

By default when a Macro Script is opened by Double Clicking on a .mamc file in Windows Explorer, the Script Editor Window opens and loads the Script for Editing. The Startup Parameters Screen allows you to change this behavior and instead of opening the Script File for Editing, you can mark it to Automatically Start Execution with the help of Auto Execute Checkbox as displayed in the Screenshot above.

Create Desktop Shortcut to Execute Macro Script

Once Auto Execution for a Macro Script is enabled, you can configure other parameters for this Automatic Script Execution. Note that the Auto Execution is applicable only for individual Script and is not Applicable to all the Scripts. Yes you can even create a Desktop Shortcut to Execute the Macro Script as displayed in the Screenshot above.