Task Scheduler tweakng guide for Windows 7

YouTube · Unread post by **the_r3dacted** » 24 May 2024, 10:47

I originally only included this in the readme of Windows 7 Updated v4, but I figure I might as well make a post for it. I also have found new tasks to remove that aren't in that readme, so even more reason.

This post will go over tasks in Windows 7 that you can disable or delete for more performance, privacy, and security. This list is based off of our Windows 7 Updated v5 ISO.

I have been able to create a batch file that disables and delete these tasks, it is attached to the post. Not all tasks in the list are deleted due to some of them potentially being useful. Here's what isn't touched below.

► Show Spoiler

Main list if you prefer to do it manually:

► Show Spoiler

Nobody · Unread post by **Nobody** » 05 Oct 2024, 03:01

The Microsoft Task Scheduler has been completely deleted in my Windows 7 for years.
Only 2 tasks that I created are running.

Unread post by **Duke** » 09 Oct 2024, 20:13

K4sum1 wrote: ↑24 May 2024, 10:47 Windows 8 and 10 have more tasks to disable or delete, lists for those will come soon.

Soon, you mean soon ? Or not that soon ?

YouTube · Unread post by **the_r3dacted** » 09 Oct 2024, 20:40

8 lists will be sooner rather than later, as I would need to do them before I release 8.1 Updated v2, and I'm currently working on 8.1 v2.

I'll probably get around to 10 when I make the unfucking 10 post. idk when that will be though.

YouTube · Unread post by **the_r3dacted** » 17 Oct 2024, 11:17

Duke wrote: ↑09 Oct 2024, 20:13 Soon, you mean soon ? Or not that soon ?

I added a few more tasks to the list, and also finished most of the 8.1 posts. Only thing left right now is Group Policy, which I figure I'll get out pretty soon as well.

AntonyMan · Unread post by **AntonyMan** » 31 Jul 2026, 22:22

I had most of them already disabled.

For the "Time Synchronization", maybe it's better to change time server and disable/delete windows time sever from registry. (Sometimes, dual boots causing problem with time sync for me.)

Export the Time\Servers Reg Key:
reg export "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers" "%UserProfile%\Desktop\Date-Time_Servers[backup].reg"

Adding a new time server. (eg.: time.cloudflare.com)
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers" /v 0 /t REG_SZ /d time.cloudflare.com /f

Setting new server as Default for automatically synchronization.
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers" /t REG_SZ /d 0 /f

note: "Windows Time" Service and "Time Synchronization" Windows Scheduled Task must be enabled.

I have disable windows time servers by add an X in front of the reg Data value. (see below)

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers]
@="0"
"1"="Xtime.windows.com"
"2"="Xtime.nist.gov"
"0"="time.cloudflare.com"

YouTube · Unread post by **the_r3dacted** » 02 Aug 2026, 09:56

I realized that the registry tweaks I always apply aren't mentioned here on the forum anywhere. I think I included them as extras in 7 updated v5, but I never gave them their own forum post.

I work around the dual boot issue with Windows by applying this

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[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation]
"RealTimeIsUniversal"=dword:00000001

Basically all non-Windows operating systems use UTC as the base and apply the timezone on top of that. Windows uses the time in your timezone as the base time. So when you boot into Linux and it's time sync runs, the time gets offset compared to Windows.

This registry change makes Windows work like every other OS and so there's no issues or conflicts. When you set up Windows though, you will need to keep it set to the default PST timezone in setup, then apply the registry tweak, then reboot, then set the time to your timezone after that all for it to remain accurate without syncing with a time server after.

AntonyMan · Unread post by **AntonyMan** » 02 Aug 2026, 19:31

Thanks for the very interesting information.

I work around the dual boot issue with Windows by applying this...
...So when you boot into Linux and it's time sync runs, the time gets offset compared to Windows.

For me happens sometimes also between Windows dual boots (ie.W10-W7).

Code: Select all

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation]
"RealTimeIsUniversal"=dword:00000001

For my PC (W7Ux64), there're some other (REG_SZ, REG_DWORD, REG_BINARY) values under this reg key (\TimeZoneInformation) but not a "RealTimeIsUniversal" REG_DWORD. I suppose that I should add it, right?

If I understood right the procedure:

1. Click Taskbar clock > "Change date and time settings..."
    > "Date and Time" - "Change time zone..."
    > "Time Zone Settings" - Unchecking "Automatically adjust clock for Daylight Saving Time"
        (here do I need to change the "Time zone" to (UTC+00:00) ? I suppose not.)
        (do I need to set manually the local time ? I suppose yes, for new time to take place.)
2. Add reg Key\Value: reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation" /v RealTimeIsUniversal /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
3. Disable: a. Windows Scheduled Task:  "Time Synchronization" > "SynchronizeTime".
                 b. Windows Services:  Windows Time  (w32time)
4. Restart PC...
5. Click Taskbar clock > "Change date and time settings..."
        instead of > "Date and Time" > "Internet Time" (tab) > "Change settings..."
                    >  "Synchronize with an Internet time server:" (Server: time.cloudflare.com)
                    > "Update now" > OKs...
    > "Change date and time..." - and Set my Local Date & Time. > OKs...
6. Optionally now could Disable (by renaming and adding an X in front of REG_SZ values) or Delete entire key.
reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers" /f

Am I right?

I think with this way the OS clock is depended to BIOS time (and its battery), is it?
(This doesn't sounds very good to me but I'll try to test it some time.) Thanks again!