Task Scheduler Props grayed out

Question

When I go into Task Scheduler to start the program it always says it tries to start then it stopped because some services stop if not in use by other services. I go into the properties and everything is grayed out and I can not change anything. What can I do to get this program to start running so I can make backups of my system?

Answer 1

I would recommend beginning a new thread for multiple reasons.  Not only will it be specifically catered to your question, but it will be your own thread, which will give you rights to mark the posts you feel are helpful as answers, allowing you to contribute to the collective of the Microsoft Answers community.

Since I have no clue to what events lead to your particular problem, I can offer a few links to possible solutions to your question:

• Gordon 7's suggestion here: Task Scheduler not working!!
• Bruce-Liu's links here: Task Scheduler won't start program if the "run whether user is logged on or not" is checked
• task scheduler doesn't work. says: remote computer cannot be found. All options are greyed out. Can't enable task scheduler and can't defrag.

Still, the links above are very generic suggestions since this posting is specifically for GallupB's issue, similar as they may be.

That being said, posting your own question helps others analyze any specific information you are able to provide, which helps customize a potential solution to your problem, be it with a description of all the happenings prior to when this issue started, a .dmp file you could provide to the community, your system specifications, etc...

Simply put, having a brand new question posted brings more attention to the question itself, since many of the individuals who populate these forums are always on the lookout for new threads, and they are the ones who are the source of most of the answers given here.

Answer 2

I think this "starting a new thread" really means that he hasn't got a clue how to fix the problem.

So instead of saying that that he doesn't know the answer... he has just made the thread obsolete to change the subject!

Then he legally doesn't have to answer it.

By doing it this way he can more or less ignore you plea for help & keep his credibility in tact.

Like how hard would it have been for him to give you a simple answer right here & now where you asked the question???

Answer 3

I also had this problem (grayed out properties).

What I've discovered is if you get to a properties pane via double clicking on the "active task" in the task scheduler "root" dialog, you cannot edit it (and it show up as pane in the task scheduler).

HOWEVER, if you click on the "Task Scheduler Library" tree item (which presents different dialog in the scheduler), and find your task, double click on it there, it will open a separate (editable) dialog.

Answer 4

It is not entirely obvious but you need to right click the mcupdate_scheduler entry in the list and select "Properties"  That opens a new window in in that all the fields are changeable

Answer 5

I have the same problem as the original poster, and you didn't answer his question. He said when he opened properties that the options were grayed-out. So are mine. I don't need instructions on how to find the properties window, I need help in changing the properties.