task scheduler asking for password

Question

task scheduler asking for password

Joao Maia 0

Hi,

I need to run something on task scheduler to start a program at startup. It is asking for what I assume is my password.

I always login with my pin, and since I am asking this question here with my Microsoft account, I am obviously able to log in on it.

I recently changed my password so I assume the password cached on windows is the old one (which I don't remember), so I signed out n the PC, said I forgot my pin so it would ask for my password. It accepted it, I received an email with a code which I imputed, set up a new pin, and logged in on my PC. Restarted it, but task scheduler still says it's wrong...

Thank you for your help.

Screenshot 2026-09-18 204310

0 comments

1 answer

Your answer

Answer 1

Ivan B 124.5K Independent Advisor

Hi,

That’s because you configured the task to run even when you aren't logged in, so it needed to save the password for the user account it uses to execute the task.

Alternatively, you can configure the task to run when you log in, so it starts up at that point.

User's image

Thanks

Joao Maia 0 Reputation points

2026-09-18T20:25:24.77+00:00

I am aware of that. But that does not solve my issue.
Ivan B 124.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T20:27:52.46+00:00

Hi,

Have you re-entered your username and password, yet it still won't go through?

Thanks
Joao Maia 0 Reputation points

2026-09-18T20:29:26.9366667+00:00

Yes. Password works on my MS account online, like this forum, or if I try to log in on my PC without the pin, but not on the task scheduler.
Ivan B 124.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T20:31:49.32+00:00

Hi,

When you are creating the task, are you trying the basic task or the normal one?

Thanks.
Joao Maia 0 Reputation points

2026-09-20T09:17:17.3566667+00:00

Normal one
Ivan B 124.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-20T15:31:25.72+00:00

Hi,

Alright, regarding the user cache, you can do the following: open the Command Prompt (as administrator) and run the command net user to see your username.

First of all, create a restore point:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3823042/discussion-how-to-create-a-system-restore-point-an

Go to Task Scheduler, select the task you created, and go to Properties > Security options > Change User or Group. Enter the username you found via the command and click "Check Names" to locate it; then click OK. Change the setting to "Run whether user is logged on or not."

Click OK; it will ask for the account password—specifically the Microsoft account password (the actual password, not the PIN). Enter it and click OK.

Apply the changes in Task Scheduler.

If that doesn't work, we can re-enter your Microsoft account password locally on your account to trigger a sync.

Thanks.