| Configuring Cron for Windows to run as a service isn't difficult. If you're generally familiar with Windows, the registry and services the quick outline is in the table to the right. If you're not familiar with those areas of Windows, below is a step by step guide with screenshots. |
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Step 1. Load up the About screen on Cron for Windows and click the "Stay running when NT logs off" checkbutton - There is also a "Log each executed cron job" checbutton that can be useful when Cron for Windows is running as a service:
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Step 2. If you don't already have it, download and install the Windows Resource Kit from Microsoft. This is required as it contains the srvany.exe program that we need for this procedure.
If you are using Windows XP or Windows 2003 you can get it from this Microsoft page. |
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| Step 3. To install Cron for Windows as a service using the instsrv.exe program that came with the Resource Kit, follow the steps below - (You might need to change the pathnames in the example to match those of your computer). |
3a. Run a MS-DOS level command prompt by holding down the windows logo key on your keyboard and then quickly pressing the letter R - a little window should appear like this:
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3b. Enter the letters cmd into the little box and press the OK button - an ugly black window should appear like this:
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3c. Enter the following commands into the black window:
c:
cd \
cd "Program Files"
cd "Windows Resource Kits"
cd Tools
instsrv.exe CronForWindows "c:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools\Srvany.exe"
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- you might have to modify the commands to make the pathnames/directory-names match your computer - but ultimately you should get a screen that looks like this:
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| If you get any error messages along the way or you fail to see the "The Service was successfully added" message don't proceed further, if you can't spot your mistake get in touch with our support department for help. |
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| Step 4. To configure the registry settings for the service follow the steps below. |
4a. Hold down the windows logo key on your keyboard and then quickly pressing the letter R - a little window should appear like this:
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4b. Enter the letters regedit into the little box and press the OK button - a new window should appear like this:
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| Step 5. If you've run the regedit program before, the new window that you see might not be as clean looking as the one shown in our screenshot - if this is the case for you, click as many of the little minus signs as you need to to get the regedit program back up to the top like the one shown in our screenshot. |
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Step 6. Go to the following location in the regedit screen by clicking the relevant little plus signs:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Current Control Set\Services\CronForWindows
Your regedit window should now look like this:
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Step 7. Using the edit menu add a new Key and name it Parameters.
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Step 8. Then again using the edit menu add a new "String Value" to the Parameters key named Application.
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Step 9. Then again using the edit menu add a new "String Value" to the Parameters key named AppDirectory.
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Step 10. Double click Application and set its value to:
"c:\Program Files\CronForWindows\CronForWindows.exe"
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Step 11. Double click AppDirectory and set its value to:
"c:\Program Files\CronForWindows"
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The right hand side of your regedit window should now look like this:
If it does, close the regedit window, if it doesn't and you can't see what you've done incorrectly, get in touch with our support department. |
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Step 12. Starting and stopping the service is the final area of windows we need to work in - follow the steps below:
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12a. Hold down the windows logo key on your keyboard and then quickly pressing the letter E - a "windows explorer" window should appear like this:
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12b. Near the top of the left side of the window is My Computer, you need to "right click" this to make a menu appear and then select Manage from the menu. A new window should appear like this:
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12c. Make this window as large as you can, then click the little plus sign next to "Services and Application" (on the left side of the screen) and then click on Services - the right hand side of the window will populate with a (probably) large list of services already installed on your computer - they should be in alphabetical order, scroll down until you find CronForWindows, then right click on it and select Properties from the menu that appears. A new window should appear looking like this:
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12d. Click the Log On tab so we can tell windows that the Cron for Windows service can interact with the desktop. The screen should now look like this:
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| 12e. Make sure that "Local System account" and "Allow service to interact with desktop" are checked, then click the Apply button down the bottom. |
| 12f. Click back on to the General tab and click the Start button. |
| 12g. If you have already registered your copy of Cron for Windows, you will need to re-enter your registration details (via the About screen). |
