To keep a PC happy, it is essential that tasks such as clearing up the Desktop and updating anti-virus software are carried out regularly.

However, this sort of work can be boring and repetitive and it is also easy to forget.

You could stick a note on your PC or set an alarm clock to ring as a reminder. However, Microsoft’s Task Scheduler is a far simpler option. Installed as standard in Windows, this program automatically sets updates to help keep the operating system ticking along.

Scheduled Tasks starts each time Windows is launched and runs in the background. Tasks can be scheduled to run at a specific time, such as on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. It can also be set to kick in when certain actions are performed, such as when the computer enters an idle state, when Windows is started or you switch on the PC. The tool can be found pre-installed in the System Tools folder, located in the Accessories folder. Find it by clicking on Start and opening the All Programs folder.

Scheduled Tasks can be used for anything that needs to be updated regularly. This can include anti-virus settings, loading web pages at a certain time or clearing up the Desktop. For example, if a person has a large number of unused tools on their Desktop and keeps adding to it, they can set the Scheduled Task tool to prompt them to clear it.

A crucial task that must be undertaken on a regular basis to ensure programs and Windows run smoothly is defragmentation of the hard disk. This frees up storage space by rearranging and compressing the fragments on each file stored on the hard disk.

The process to set the Disk Defragmenter tool to run automatically in Scheduled Tasks is done in the same way as any other task would be. Launch the Scheduled Tasks programme by clicking the Start button, choosing All Programs, then Accessories, System Tools and finally Scheduled Tasks. The window will show icons for any tasks already set to run automatically, such as updates for a paid-for anti-virus program. The Add scheduled Task tool should sit directly on top of these.

Double-click on the tool, which will start the Scheduled Task Wizard dialogue box. To continue to the next step, click on the Next button. The second dialogue box will then display an alphabetical list of pre-installed and user-installed software. If for any reason this or any other program does not appear in the list, clicking on the Browse button will give the opportunity to search for programs on the PC. The Disk Defragmenter tool, for example, is found in the System Tools subfolder located in the Accessories section of the PC.

To select the program to be scheduled, double-click it. If you have browsed to the program, click Open. This will prompt the wizard to choose how often the task is to be performed. This can be anything from a one-off time to an hourly task. It is also possible to select a name for the task in question.