What are your favorite apps to automate or schedule on your PC?

[Rizar]

What are your favorite apps to clean, secure, update, or maintain your PC?

These apps ought to run automatically, whether through the windows scheduler, as an auto start or a silent app.

Automation features are one of the most valued features of programs, so, of course, they are often the first to become part of paid versions of software. IObit's Advanced SystemCare, for example, removes many of the automation features from the free version. But there are ways around paying!

So this might be a good thread to note all the ways to get automation for free. I also wanted to open a thread for discussions of your favorite automation friendly programs.

I. Programs to Schedule

(1) For example, I like to set JKdefrag through the task scheduler. I use the JkDefragCmd.exe version without commandline arguments and triggered to run once a day.

(2) I also use the task scheduler to run CCleaner. It seems to run surprisingly well when triggered to run daily and once every hour for 12 hours (during the day, for example), but on other computers I just set it to run once a day like JKdefrag. This is sometimes better than just using its feature to run on startup because some people leave their computers on for several days. You do need to add a commandline argument or else it will just open and sit there. Under Actions, click to the "Add Arguments" box and type "/AUTO". Gizmo wrote an excellent article that gives more detailed instructions: How to Schedule Programs to Run Automatically.

(3) Windows programs: I let the windows updater schedule and update critical updates.

(4) I should probably backup and image more often, but I'm sure these two types of programs would be popular to schedule.

(5) I schedule Avira AntiVir to scan and update.

II. Programs to Autostart

(6) My favorite programs to run as tray tools are primarily security apps like Avira, Comodo, & Sandboxie. The Sandboxie tray tool is not necessary, but it adds some functionality such as quick recoveries (that I can't do without). On some computers, I run BOINC.

III. Silent or Dependent Programs

Another option is to discuss apps that run automatically as dependents or invisibly (say as a service, without a tray tool, or otherwise).

(7) We could also include extensions or add-ons if they automatically run dependently on a browser or other program, such as Firefox add-ons. Right now I happen to be using AdBlock, CustomizeGoogle, DownThemAll, FEBE (it schedules nicely), Finjan, Ghostery, LastPass, NoScript, PDF Download, Redirect Remover, RefControl, ShowIP, WOT. No plugins other than the Mozilla default plugin. See Gizmo's list here.

(8) For example, Sandboxie can set eraserl to securely erase the contents of a sandbox instead of using its normal RMDIR command. The makers of Sandboxie have a preset delete command set up for you in "Sandbox Settings" > "Delete" > "Command"; you just have to install Eraser and know that "Eraserl" usually installs in Windows/System32 or similar folder (or search for it).

(9) Windows Defender can be setup to run invisibly, but it's one of the first programs to go from my computers (but not from other people's computers).

IV. Automation Apps to Disable!

We could also start a list of programs that you ought not to allow supreme status as automation apps. Automation apps actively use memory and CPU resources, so it is best to keep them to a minimum.

(10) When I used (a) Adobe PDF Reader I always had to disable some of its apps from autostarting, but I haven't used it for awhile. I believe it has an autostart app that tries to speed things up, even if you only use PDF readers every great once in awhile. I use them every week and still wouldn't want that specific auto start program.

I also dislike (b) Java update scheduler running all the time; it's completely unnecessary since I like to use a software updater. My current pick is Update Notifier, but I've tried them all. Though, I choose to use software updaters on-demand as of now, but it would good to hear of a low resource and efficient auto updater to use.

And then there are all the windows tray programs that have to go such as (c) Windows Defender.

(11) Possibly windows services as per instructions here. And you may also want to investigate the long list of windows programs in the task scheduler to disable; Vista has a long list of them that I didn't see any need to run all the time and they are easy to restart (if anything goes wrong later) if you don't completely delete them.

V. Related Links or Articles:

• Best Free Windows Driver Backup (be careful updating drivers)

• Best Free Backup Program

• Best Free Drive Imaging Program

• Best Free Software Update Monitor

• How to Schedule Programs to Run Automatically

• Best Free Disk De-fragmenter

• Best Free File Cleaner

• Best Free Antivirus Software

• Best Free Firewall

• Best Free Browser Protection Utility

• Best Free Volunteer, Charity, and Donation Technology

• Gizmo's Desert Island Utilities

• Best Free Secure Erase Utility

• How to Disable the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (MSJVM)

• How to Make Vista Run Faster

• Best Free Hotkey / Macro Recorder Utility

• AutoIt v3

[Jojoyee]

Other than programs to schedule or autostart, there's another one somewhat a bit different-- Delayed Start.
Useful when I want to boot up Windows faster, and only run certain programs say 3 or 5 mintues later. This feature is included in one of the freeware products WinPatrol 2009.

See also:
Best Free Startup Manager
Best Free Program Scheduler.