| Maintenance tasks are easy to overlook. If you are not good at remembering to perform these things, you can set up Windows XP to perform scheduled tasks at a set interval. For instance, you can set up the backup program to run once a week (or once a month or daily). You can schedule maintenance tasks as well as other tasks including checking and downloading mail. You basically can run any program at the time and interval you select. This section covers how to add and modify scheduled tasks. tip  | It's embarrassing, but when you do find out you have a virus, you should notify anyone with whom you've had contact and you might have unintentionally infected. Send them the fix if possible. If not, at least alert them so that they can check their own systems. |
Adding a New Task To set up a scheduled task list, follow these steps: 1. | Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Scheduled Tasks. You'll see the Scheduled Tasks window listing any tasks that you have set up (see Figure 17.11).
Figure 17.11. You can add and change scheduled tasks using the Scheduled Tasks window. 
| 2. | Double-click the Add Scheduled Task item to start the Scheduled Task Wizard. The first screen introduces this feature.
| 3. | Click Next to move to the next step. You are then prompted to select the program you want to run (see Figure 17.12).
Figure 17.12. You can select to schedule and run any installed and registered programs on your computer. 
| 4. | Click the program to select it and click Next. You are then prompted to type a name for the task. This is the name that appears in the scheduled task list. You also select an interval for running this program. You can select daily, weekly, monthly, one time only, when my computer starts, or when I log on (see Figure 17.13).
Figure 17.13. Select how often you want to run this scheduled task. 
| 5. | Select the interval for running the selected program and click Next. You then set the schedule for the task (see Figure 17.14). The options for setting the schedule vary depending on the interval you select.
Figure 17.14. Here, you see the options for running the selected program monthly. 
| 6. | Select the start time and date(s) to run the program and click Next.
tip | If more than one person uses your computer, you can set up multiple users. Step 7 lets you select the user under which the task is run. See Chapter 22, "Setting Up Windows XP for Multiple Users." |
| 7. | If required, type the username and password. You must type the password twiceonce to enter it and again to confirm it. Then click Next.
The final screen displays all your entriesthe selected program and when the program is scheduled to run (see Figure 17.15).
Figure 17.15. You see the details of the scheduled task. 
| 8. | Click Finish. The task is then added to the Scheduled Tasks list and will run at the interval you selected.
| 9. | Click the Close button to close the Scheduled Tasks window.
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Modifying Scheduled Tasks If needed, you can delete or adjust any of the scheduled tasks. To do so, follow these steps: 1. | Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Scheduled Tasks. You'll see the Scheduled Tasks window listing any tasks that you have set up.
| 2. | Do any of the following:
To edit an itemfor instance, to change how often the program is rundouble-click the item. You'll see the properties dialog box for that program. Click the Schedule tab and make any changes (see Figure 17.16). Then click OK.
Figure 17.16. You can change when the scheduled item is run. 
To delete a scheduled item, select it and then click Delete this item in the task pane or press the Delete key. Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes.
| 3. | Close the Scheduled Tasks window by clicking its Close button.
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The Absolute Minimum This chapter focuses on how to keep your data and computer secure using a variety of Windows XP tools as well as other programs, including a backup program and a virus program. In particular, keep these main points in mind: Back up your data: It is the most important and valuable thing on your computer. A computer can be replaced; your data sometimes cannot. To back up, you need a backup program as well as backup media (a tape drive, or a CD-R or CD-RW drive). You can select how often to perform the backup as well as which files are backed up. You should periodically scan your computer for errors. You can use Windows XP's Check Disk to do so. Viruses are programs that can infect your computer and wreak havoc. Use a virus protection program to scan files and email attachments for viruses and to warn you of any viruses. To make sure that you perform key maintenance tasks, you can schedule and run them automatically.
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