This article explains how to use the “at” command, which is available from the Command Prompt. “At” is used to run programs and commands at scheduled times.

What to Know

  • This is the proper syntax: at \computername /interactive | /every:date,…/next:date,…\computername specifies a remote computer name; /every:date[,…] runs commands on specific days./interactive lets the command interact with the logged-in user; /delete deletes all previously scheduled commands.

At Command Availability

The at command is available from within the Command Prompt in many Windows operating systems including Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and some older versions of Windows as well.

This command has been deprecated beginning in Windows 8. Microsoft recommends using the feature-rich schtasks command instead.

The availability of at command switches may differ somewhat from operating system to operating system.

At Command Syntax

This is the proper syntax of the at command:

at \computername /interactive | /every:date,…/next:date,…

See How to Read Command Syntax if you’re not sure how to read the at command syntax shown above or described in the table below.

At Command Examples

at 14:15 “chkdsk /f”

In the above example, the at command is used to schedule a run of the chkdsk command as chkdsk /f, today only, at 2:15 p.m., on the currently used PC.

at \prodserver 23:45 /every:1,4,8,12,16,20,24,28 “bkprtn.bat”

In this example, the at command is used to schedule the execution of the bkprtn.bat batch file on the computer named prodserver at 11:45 p.m. on the first, fourth, eighth, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th, and 28th day of each month.

at 1 /delete

Here, the scheduled command with the id of 1 is deleted.

The at command is often used with many other Command Prompt commands because it’s used to schedule the running of other commands.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

  • Vol Command Examples and Options

  • Net Send Command

  • How to Use the Netstat Command

  • How to Open an Elevated Command Prompt

  • Copy Command

  • How to Use the Chkdsk Command in Windows

  • The Complete List of Command Prompt (CMD) Commands

  • How to Use the Net Use Command in Windows

  • Windows 8 Command Prompt Commands

  • What is the Shutdown Command in Windows?

  • How to Use the Netstat Command on Mac

  • Windows XP Command Prompt Commands

  • Windows 7 Command Prompt Commands

  • How to Use Advanced Startup Options in Windows

  • What Is a Command for Computers?

  • More Command

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

Hit Refresh on Your Tech News

  • About Us

  • Privacy Policy

  • Editorial Guidelines

  • Terms of Use

  • Careers

  • Advertise

  • Contact

  • EU Privacy

  • NEWS

  • HOW TO

  • FEATURES

  • ABOUT US