AutoClose is a Windows utility for scheduling when programs close or launch. It can act on an application already running, start a selected executable later, or trigger an action after a period without mouse or keyboard activity. Several tasks can be kept in its task list, with separate timing choices for each.
Closing timers
A closing task begins with a target from AutoClose’s process list. The list includes programs with visible windows and hidden processes. When an executable name is difficult to recognize, the dragging selection tool lets you point to the application’s window and have its process selected in the list.
The timer can use a delay expressed in days, hours, minutes and seconds, or a specific scheduled time. Adding the task places it in the task list for execution at that point. The timer uses the time you choose; it does not detect when the selected program has finished its work.
AutoClose can also terminate a selected process immediately through its Close control. Windows permissions still apply to these operations: closing a program that runs with administrator privileges requires AutoClose to have sufficient privileges as well.
Program launches
The Auto Run Task option changes the task from closing a running process to starting a program. You select an EXE file and can supply command-line parameters, allowing the scheduled launch to pass options to an application that accepts them.
Both launching and closing support repeated execution. An initial interval or specific time establishes the first action, while the Loop setting controls subsequent repeats. Custom intervals are expressed in days, hours and minutes, so one task can launch a program periodically or repeatedly close a selected program.
Inactivity offers another trigger. Instead of relying only on a clock time, AutoClose can run or close a program after the chosen period without mouse or keyboard actions.
Saving task lists as ATF files
AutoClose can save the task list as an ATF file and load it again for later use.
Power actions
A task can include a computer action after it finishes. The choices include shutting down, restarting, logging off, hibernating and turning off the monitor. The default Do nothing choice leaves these additional actions disabled.
AutoClose also has a separate option to exit its own application after all tasks have completed.
Pro license
AutoClose Pro removes the task-list and closing-time limits and permits commercial use. Its license is offered as a one-time lifetime purchase.
