How to Delay Program Startup with Task Scheduler on Windows 10/8/7

This guide explains how to delay Program Startup with Task Scheduler on Windows 10/8/7, with clear steps, practical tips, and important checks before you begin.

Today's article will show you how to delay program startup with Task Scheduler on Windows 10/8/7.

How to delay program startup with Task Scheduler

There are many ways to delay startup programs in Windows 10. Most solutions force you to use third-party programs. However, you can use the built-in Task Scheduler application to delay the startup of programs. Very easy to make.

1. Open Task Scheduler by searching for it in the Start menu or by using the Run taskschd. msc command .

2. In the Task Scheduler application, click the Create Task option that appears on the right sidebar.

Click the Create Task option

3. In the General tab, name the task. In the example case, the author wants to open the Snagit application. Therefore, the corresponding name for the task is selected.

Name the task

4. After naming the task, go to the Trigger tab and click the New button to create a new trigger.

Click the New button to create a new trigger

5. In the New Trigger window, select At Log On from the first drop-down menu. Next, select the Delay Task For checkbox and the 15 minutes option from the drop-down menu next to it. Click the OK button . This will ensure that the task is triggered 15 minutes after you log in. You can choose any period you want from the drop-down menu.

Set the time to start the program after 15 minutes of starting

6. Now you need to add the application you want to open. So go to the Actions tab and click the New button .

Add the application you want to open

7. Select Start a Program from the first drop-down menu. Next, click the Browse button in Settings.

Select Start a Program from the first drop-down menu

8. Find the application you want to start, select it and click the Open button .

Find and open the application

9. You will see the file path added in the Program / Script field. Click the OK button to save changes.

You should see the file path added in the Program / Script field

10. Finally, click the OK button in the main window to save the task.

Click OK in the main window to save the task

11. To make sure the task runs and opens the application, right-click the task you just created and select the Run option . This will start the application immediately.

Launch the application

All operations are completed! After this, the program will be delayed after 15 minutes from the time you log into the system. You can create multiple tasks to delay startup programs at will.