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I have some tasks in the Task Scheduler on Windows 2008 R2. I created them as the admin and I'm logged in as the admin. I have no easy way to rename the tasks. The only way I can is to export the task config to a XML file and re-import to a new task, change the name there, then delete the old task. Is there an easier way?

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3 Answers

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Congratulations! You've come up against a problem that has stumped many a Windows user/admin. No, you cannot rename a task except for exporting, renaming and importing again. Yes, it's rather silly. Perhaps an enterprising scripter could create a simple PowerShell script that automates this, but until then, you're stuck with your export/import two-step. Sorry. =(

(You also can't rename a task folder after you've created it.)

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If you go rename the folder, the task will disappear. Sad face. – JohnThePro Jan 7 '11 at 18:01
Also, if you rename the tasks in the Windows\tasks folder, the task disappears in Task Scheduler until you rename the task back. – WesleyDavid Jan 7 '11 at 18:15
Good to know! Thanks for the answer. – Mark Jan 7 '11 at 18:24
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Grrrrr, arghhhhhh! I wonder how on earth this silly limitation came into existence? Renaming is hardly an "exotic" task that users will rarely ever want to do. It's very puzzling. – Doctor Jones Feb 17 '11 at 14:10
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Unfortunately not. That's the way this is done now. I believe it's for security purposes, so that set tasks cannot be modified while they are actually setup and enabled.

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If I am already logged in as ADMIN, as I must be to create a tasks, how is this a 'security feature'? – user86327 Jul 1 '11 at 8:08
Also, if you change anything about a task once it's configured you get prompted for credentials again, so if it's some kind of security issue handle it the same way you handle changing anything else. – InsidiousForce Jun 2 '12 at 17:01
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Please be sure before you answer "Cannot do this", "Impossible", etc.

Check out this power shell script.

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Quote from that site: I don't know the reasons for the omission of this seemingly simple feature, but there is a workaround: Export the task as an XML file, import the task to create a new task with the new name, then delete the old task. So, it does what the accepted answer suggested - only automated. Renaming is still impossible. – faker Jul 2 '12 at 13:42

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