How to Execute Files in The Task Scheduler That Have Spaces

Don’t hesitate to apply our quick procedure right away

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Some utilizeTask Schedulerto set up scheduled tasks that open software and files. However, those scheduled tasks might not always work for users. That is often because the files the tasks need to open include spaces in their file titles.

Consequently, a scheduled task might not open the software or a file it’s supposed to. However, it’s relatively easy to fix scheduled tasks that don’t open files with spaces.

How can I fix scheduled tasks that include files with spaces?

1. Add quote marks to the file paths

2. Delete spaces from file titles

3. Add backslash and quote marks to file paths in the Command Prompt

Users who utilize theSchtasks.exeCommand Prompt utilityto schedule tasks need to include additional backslash () and quote (“) marks around the file path with spaces (excluding arguments or switches) within the command. For example, a file path with arguments in the schtasks /create command would look something like this:

“\”c:\foldername with spaces\file.bat\”arguments”

Instead of this:

“c:\foldername with spaces\file.bat arguments”

The example above encloses the first file path within “\ and \” character combinations. However, arguments is left outside the character combinations, but it is still enclosed within the quote marks. With those character combinations included around the path, the task will run at the time scheduled within the command. A full command might look like the one in the snapshot below.

So, users can add quotation marks to the file paths in the Edit Action window, remove spaces from file paths, or add character combinations around file paths that include spaces in Schtasks commands. Then, the scheduled tasks should work.

If you are facing theTask Scheduler failed to launch an actionissue, we suggest you check out this solution guide.

How to Execute Files in The Task Scheduler That Have Spaces#

How can I fix scheduled tasks that include files with spaces?#

1. Add quote marks to the file paths#

2. Delete spaces from file titles#

3. Add backslash and quote marks to file paths in the Command Prompt#

How to Execute Files in The Task Scheduler That Have Spaces

How can I fix scheduled tasks that include files with spaces?

1. Add quote marks to the file paths

2. Delete spaces from file titles

3. Add backslash and quote marks to file paths in the Command Prompt