How to prevent a user from running Task Scheduler in Windows

This step-by-step article describes how to prevent a user from running or stopping Task Scheduler in Windows XP.

There may be occasions you want to prevent a user from to running a Task Scheduler before the intended date and time, or there may be occasions when an administrator does not want a user to add new scheduled tasks to the computer. Use the following procedures to gain more control over what you can do with Task Scheduler.

Prevent users from adding new tasks or deleting tasks in Task Scheduler by modifying local policy settings

Note The following procedure only applies to Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2000, or Windows Server 2003. To do this in Windows XP Home edition, see the "Prevent users from adding new tasks or deleting tasks in Task Scheduler by modifying registry settings" section of this article.

1. Log on as Administrator to the computer where you want to modify the Local Policy settings.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type gpedit.msc , and then click OK.
4. In the left pane of the console, expand the Computer configuration node.
5. Expand Administrative Templates, and then expand Windows Components.
6. Click Task Scheduler.
7. In the Task Scheduler pane, do the following:
   1. Double-click Prevent Task Run or End.
   2. Click Enabled, and then click OK.
   3. Double-click Prohibit New task Creation.
   4. Click Enabled, and then click OK.
   5. Double-click Prohibit Task deletion.
   6. Click Enabled, and then click OK.
   7. Double-click Prohibit Drag-and-Drop.
   8. Click Enabled, and then click OK.
8. On the File menu of the Group Policy snap-in, click Exit.

How to prevent users from adding new tasks or deleting tasks in Task Scheduler by modifying local policy settings

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Log on as Administrator to the computer where you want to modify the registry settings.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
4. In Registry Editor, locate the following key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Task Scheduler5.0
5. In the details pane, follow these steps:
   1. Right-click DragAndDrop, and then click Modify.
   2. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 1, and then click OK.
   3. Right-click Execution, and then click Modify.
   4. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 1, and then click OK.
   5. Right-click Task Creation, and then click Modify.
   6. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 1, and then click OK.
   7. Right-click Task Deletion, and then click Modify.
   8. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 1, and then click OK.
6. On the File menu of Registry Editor, click Exit.