This article gives explanation of why one cannot set a task to be executed at shutdown/logoff in an Acronis product when it is run in Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008. This article also provides a workaround for this issue
Symptoms
There is no option to set a scheduled task to be run at shutdown or user logoff if you are using an Acronis product in Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, or Windows 7.
Cause
The Winlogon service of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, or Windows 7 is much different from the one of previous Windows operating systems. The scheduled tasks associated with Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, or Windows 7 have been disabled in GUI.
Solution
You can use the Pre/Post commands option of Acronis True Image to work around the problem:
- Run the Schedule Task wizard;
- At the Set Backup Options step choose Set the options manually;
- Click Pre/Post commands;
- Choose the Use commands option;
- Hit the Edit button next to the After the backup process field;
- Put in the Post command as specified below:
Command: shutdown
Working directory: C:\Windows\System32\
Arguments: -s
This command will automatically shut down the computer after the completion of backup process.
Please note that in Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 the Validate backup archive upon operation completion option cannot be used with this workaround. The post command is executed right after backup completion, not after the validation procedure.
More information
You can also put in any other shutdown command parameter in the Arguments field. For the complete list of the parameters please see: