Q. Can Windows Task Manager be used to schedule scans like Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc.? How can I find out how to do this? I looked at Task Manager and it did not jump out at me.

A. Windows has two similarly named tools. They are Task Manager and Task Scheduler. You can learn about the Task Manager on my Web site. However, I think Task Scheduler is what you're looking for. Windows Task Scheduler can schedule some programs to run at specific times. You could, for example, schedule Disk Defragmenter to run at 3 a.m. once a week.

To open the Task Scheduler, click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click Scheduled Tasks. Then double- click Add Scheduled Task to start the task wizard. You'll see a list of programs from which to choose. Some programs, including Disk Defragmenter, will not be on the list. In such cases, you'll have to find the program (typically an .EXE file) yourself.

You can schedule a program to start periodically or one time only. Then you can enter your Windows password to give the program permission to start while you're away. Unfortunately, some programs don't automatically run when they're launched. Task Scheduler opens these programs, but often cannot make them run. They just sit idle. So, where possible, it's better to use scheduling features within the programs.

Task Scheduler cannot make either Ad-Aware or Spybot run. The pay version of Ad-Aware has automatic settings. But the free version does not. So it has to be started manually. However, Spybot has settings that allow an automatic scan. To accomplish that, open Spybot and click Settings. Select Scheduler. To schedule a scan, click the Add button. Then click the Edit button.

Select the Schedule tab. You'll see options for periodic scans and specific times. After you set the schedule, select the Task tab. Click the "Set password" button and enter your Windows password. Click OK>>OK.

As I mentioned, the Task Scheduler can be made to work with the Windows Disk Defragmenter. Defrags can sometimes take a long time, so it's handy to schedule them during the night while you sleep. Again, though, Task Scheduler needs special instructions. Otherwise, it opens Disk Defragmenter, but does not make it run.

To set this up, first open the Task Scheduler. Double- click Add Scheduled Task. Disk Defragmenter won't be in the list of programs, so click the Browse button. Look for the file named defrag.exe. It should be in the following location: C:\Windows\System32\defrag.exe Select the file and click Open. Then set the schedule you'd like for Disk Defragmenter. You'll also be prompted for your Windows password. Then you'll see a confirmation that includes a checkbox labeled "Open advanced properties for this task when I click Finish." Mark that checkbox before you click Finish. Note that you must have a password for this to work.

On the next window, select the Task tab. Under "Run," you will see the location of the file that you had to find earlier. At the end of that location, add "C:" (without the quotes). The result should look like this: C:\Windows\System32\defrag.exe C:

Finally, you may have to enter your Windows password again. Click the "Set password" button. If the box is blank, enter your password. Click OK on this and the next window.

Copyright 2006 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Subscribe to Kim Komando's free e-mail newsletters at: www.komando.com. Reprinted with permission.