Description of the Acronis scheduling technology

Acronis Scheduler is a module for executing tasks on certain events (specific time, logon/logoff and others).

Acronis Scheduler consists of two parts: service and helper.

Service is executed on starting Windows and works till shutdown. Service keeps the scheduled tasks in registry and executes them:

• Windows 32 bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\Scheduler
• Windows 64 bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Acronis\Scheduler

Helper is executed as a separate process for any logon, works till logoff and notifies Scheduler service about logon and logoff events. Without helper it is impossible to run interactive tasks, tasks without user and password information (such as the Create Image operation in Acronis True Image) and to schedule any tasks on logon/logoff/shutdown events.

The service is started via HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices in Windows 9x/Me and via Service Control Manager in Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 (see Administrative Tools - Services).

The helper is started via HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Information for troubleshooting can be obtained by means of Windows System Information File, scripts and logs (in case of Acronis True Image). Also, Acronis Scheduler Manager can be useful, as it allows to manage scheduled tasks via CMD line.

The scheduling files are:

• \Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe
• \Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe