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Manage-SystemTask

The Manage-SystemTask script is a powerful PowerShell tool for managing Windows scheduled tasks. This script creates, updates, or executes scheduled tasks with elevated privileges, allowing specified binaries to run under the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM account.

This script is designed for system administrators who need precise control over scheduled tasks for automation or privilege escalation in testing environments.

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⚠️ Disclaimer

This script is provided for educational and authorized administrative use only. Unauthorized use may violate policies or laws. Always ensure you have proper permissions and operate within ethical boundaries.

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Features

• Smart Task Detection: Automatically detects whether the scheduled task exists, updating it if necessary or creating it if missing.
• Task Folder Management: Ensures the required task folder exists, creating it dynamically if needed.
• Dynamic Configuration: Customizes task triggers, actions, and settings for seamless operation.
• Immediate Execution: Starts the task right after configuration to ensure immediate results.
• Robust Error Handling: Includes mechanisms to handle inconsistent task states and provides detailed error logs.

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How It Works

1. Folder Verification: Ensures the LanguageComponentsInstaller folder exists under the Windows Task Scheduler. If not, it creates the folder automatically.

2. Task Validation: Checks for the existence of a task named Uninstallation in the folder.

   • If it exists, the script updates its configuration to execute the specified binary.
   • If it does not exist, the script creates a new task.

3. Action Configuration: Updates or assigns the task action to execute the specified binary path.

4. Trigger Management: Configures the task to trigger on user logon.

5. Execution: Starts the task immediately to verify that it runs successfully.

6. Error Recovery: If the task is in an inconsistent state, the script automatically removes and recreates it to ensure reliability.

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Prerequisites

• Administrator Privileges: Required to modify or create scheduled tasks.
• PowerShell Execution Policy: Ensure PowerShell scripts can be executed by setting the execution policy to RemoteSigned:

  Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

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Usage

Script Parameters

• BinaryPath: Specifies the absolute path of the binary or script you wish to execute with elevated privileges.

Example

Manage-SystemTask -BinaryPath "C:\Path\To\Your\Executable.exe"

Steps to Run

1. Save the script as Manage-SystemTask.ps1.
2. Open PowerShell as an Administrator.
3. Navigate to the directory containing the script:

   cd "C:\Path\To\Script"

4. Execute the script:

   .\Manage-SystemTask.ps1 -BinaryPath "C:\Path\To\Your\Executable.exe"

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Technical Details

• Task Name: Uninstallation
• Task Path: \Microsoft\Windows\LanguageComponentsInstaller
• Trigger: On user logon.
• Run Level: Highest (NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM).

The script dynamically adjusts its behavior based on whether the task already exists:

• If Task Exists: Updates the task's action to execute the new binary.
• If Task is Missing: Creates a new task with all necessary configurations.

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Error Handling

The script includes robust error handling:

• Automatically detects and resolves task inconsistencies.
• Recreates tasks if they fail to execute or validate.
• Provides detailed error messages to guide troubleshooting.

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Tested Environments

• Windows 10
• Windows Server 2022

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Benefits

• Automated Workflow: Simplifies task creation and management with minimal user input.
• Immediate Feedback: Starts tasks immediately after configuration, ensuring they are correctly set up.
• Error Resilience: Handles unexpected issues gracefully with automatic recovery mechanisms.
• Ease of Use: Designed for administrators, with detailed messages guiding every step of the process.

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Why Use Manage-SystemTask?

This script eliminates the complexity of managing scheduled tasks manually through the Task Scheduler GUI. It offers a programmatic, efficient, and error-resilient approach to configure tasks for elevated execution, making it ideal for system automation.

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