Scheduling python program in windows task scheduler

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 🗓️ Daily Scheduling Steps


  1. Open Task Scheduler

    • Press Win + S, type Task Scheduler, and open it.

  2. Create a Basic Task

    • In the right panel, click Create Basic Task.

    • Give it a name like “Daily Python Script”.

  3. Set the Trigger

    • Choose Daily.

    • Set the Start date and time (e.g., tomorrow at 9:00 AM).

    • Choose Recur every 1 days.

  4. Set the Action

    • Choose Start a program.

    • In Program/script, enter the path to your Python interpreter:

      Code
      C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\python.exe

    • In Add arguments, enter the full path to your script:

      Code
      "C:\Users\YourName\Documents\myscript.py"

    • In Start in, enter the folder containing your script:

      Code
      C:\Users\YourName\Documents

  5. Finish and Test

    • Click Finish.

    • Right-click the task and choose Run to test it.

FAQs

Q1-I'm using Spyder as my IDE and have installed all necessary packages. When setting up a task in Windows Task Scheduler, should I point to the Spyder executable or the Python interpreter path?

🔍 Key Considerations:

1. Spyder vs Python App

  • Spyder is an IDE, not meant to run scripts in the background via Task Scheduler.
  • You should not use Spyder itself in Task Scheduler.
  • Instead, use the Python interpreter from the same environment that Spyder uses.

2. Find the Correct Python Path

To ensure your scheduled task uses the same environment as Spyder:

  • Open Spyder.
  • Run this in the console:
import sys
print(sys.executable)

  • This will give you the full path to the Python interpreter used by Spyder (e.g., something like C:\Users\YourName\anaconda3\envs\yourenv\python.exe).

Use this path in your Task Scheduler action.

3. Use Full Paths in Task Scheduler

In Task Scheduler:

  • Program/script: Paste the full path to the Python executable from above.
  • Add arguments: your_script.py
  • Start in: Folder where your script is located.

4. Ensure All Packages Are Installed

If your script uses packages installed in Spyder's environment, and you use the same Python interpreter in Task Scheduler, then you're good.

But if you accidentally use the system-wide Python (e.g., C:\Python39\python.exe), it may not have the same packages.


Q2-Should this path be included in environmental variables or it is not needed?

✅ You do NOT need to add the Python path to Environment Variables if:

  • You're using Windows Task Scheduler and you explicitly specify the full path to the Python executable in the task.
  • You're using the Python interpreter from Anaconda or a virtual environment (like the one Spyder uses), which is not the system-wide Python.

In this case, Task Scheduler will use the exact interpreter you point it to, so no need to modify environment variables.

✅ You might want to add it to Environment Variables if:

  • You want to run Python scripts from the Command Prompt (cmd) without typing the full path every time.
  • You want to use python or pip commands globally across your system.

To add it:

  1. Open System Properties → Advanced → Environment Variables.
  2. Under System Variables, find Path, click Edit.
  3. Add the path to your Python interpreter (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\anaconda3\envs\yourenv\).
  4. Also add the Scripts folder if needed (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\anaconda3\envs\yourenv\Scripts).

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