Does the Task scheduler can open in unattended session (user log off) eMS Office file (like excel)?

Question

Hello,

I am trying to automate task which has to open excel file and refresh connections. I tried to use windows task scheduler on remote desktop.

Everything is working with option 'Run only when user is logged on".

I need to have it working remotely, but after choosing 'Run whether user is logged on or not' with option 'run with highest privileges' ticked, nothing is happening.

After setting scheduled trigger, close the VM and comeback few minutes later I see in the history log information that

Task Scheduler launched action "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" in instance "{xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx}" of task "\xxxxxxxxxx".

When user is logged on, action takes literally several seconds..

In unattended session there is no change in the excel file even waiting few minutes from start of the task.. like nothing happen

Excel is stored in one-drive (user has access), but I checked the same when excel and script vbs were stored in local VM drive.. also no success..

I would be super grateful for advise what I am missing with that configuration.. or maybe there are some limitations which I am not aware off when it comes to opening MS office files from task scheduler and doing some operations on them..

Thanks a lot in advance

Paweł

Answer 1

Hi @Rogaski, Pawel

Do you use Microsoft 365 Apps?

Here is a thread: Task Scheduler not able to start Excel if user is not logged in (Windows 10 and Office 365), Microsoft 365 Apps required an active foreground user session to work.

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Answer 2

Hello,

Yes, I saw this case raised by Dan and Karen Myers which You reffering in the link, but wasnt sure if its official stated somewhere in MS documentation in relation to Task Scheduler etc..

Is there? Eventually can You propose some work around for this?

Thanks

Paweł