Windows 7 Repeating Alarm: Set Alarms Without Software

Reminders for Extended Computer Use with Windows Task Scheduler

Individuals who spend prolonged periods working on computers may inadvertently neglect to take breaks for stretching or rest. To counteract this, and prevent discomfort such as neck stiffness or eye strain, a reminder system can be implemented.

While numerous third-party applications offer reminder functionality, the Windows operating system includes a built-in utility called Task Scheduler that can achieve the same result.

Accessing the Task Scheduler

To launch the Task Scheduler, open the Start menu and begin typing “task scheduler” (without quotation marks) into the search field. Press Enter when the Task Scheduler appears in the search results, or simply click on its listing.

Creating a New Task

Within the Task Scheduler interface, select “Create Task” from the Actions pane located on the right side of the window.

Defining the Task Trigger

The Create Task dialog box will appear. Navigate to the Triggers tab and click the “New…” button at the bottom of the tab.

The New Trigger dialog box will then be displayed. First, specify when the task should begin. To establish a recurring alert during work hours, select “On a schedule” from the dropdown menu. Alternative triggers include startup, user logon, or workstation lock/unlock events.

Within the Settings section, define the days and start time for the task. Choosing “Weekly” and selecting the checkboxes for each workday (e.g., Monday through Friday) will ensure the task runs on those days. Enter “1” in the “Recur every” field to trigger the task weekly on each selected day.

Specify the initial run time by selecting a date from the calendar and entering a time. The up and down arrows adjacent to the time field can also be used for time selection.

In the Advanced settings, check the “Repeat task every” box and choose an interval from the dropdown list. For example, select “1 hour” for hourly reminders. If the desired interval isn’t listed, manually enter it (e.g., “2 hours”). By default, the task repeats indefinitely. To limit the repetition to a specific duration, select an option from the “for a duration of” dropdown, or manually enter a duration (e.g., “8 hours”).

Ensure the “Enabled” checkbox is selected and click “OK”.

Configuring the Task Action

The newly created trigger will now be visible in the Triggers tab list.

Next, define the action that will be performed each time the trigger activates. Click the Actions tab and select “New…” at the bottom.

The New Action dialog box will appear. Choose an action from the dropdown menu. Selecting “Display a message” will present a message box on the screen. Enter a “Title” for the message box and a “Message” to be displayed within the dialog box. Click “OK”.

The new action will be added to the list on the Actions tab. Multiple actions can be configured, and their execution order can be adjusted using the arrow buttons.

For instance, you could automatically lock the workstation when the task is triggered. To do this, select “Start a program” from the Action dropdown. Enter the following into the “Program/script” field:

c:\windows\system32\rundll32.exe

Then, enter the following into the “Add arguments” field:

user32.dll, LockWorkStation

Click “OK”.

Note: Automatically locking the workstation can be disruptive. A message box provides a less intrusive reminder. The choice is ultimately yours.

Finalizing and Testing the Task

Once all desired actions are configured, click “OK”.

The new task will appear in the Task Scheduler Library list. To test the task, right-click on it and select “Run”.

A dialog box will appear, confirming the task is functioning correctly.

Closing the Task Scheduler

To exit the Task Scheduler, select “Exit” from the File menu.

This method provides a useful way to prompt breaks during extended computer work. However, it lacks a snooze function. Users may dismiss the reminder or continue working even after the workstation is locked, potentially negating the intended benefit.