Solved Hide a PowerShell window?

For some years now, I've been using Task Scheduler to create a daily system restore point. I have used restore points on many occasions to reverse some (stupid user caused) damage or other to my system. The only failures I've ever had resulted from my forgetting to shut down my anti-malware before I ran System Restore. This thing just runs every day, and I use CCleaner (Tools > System Restore) to check on it and delete the oldest few restore points.

Since the last Windows update, the scheduled task, which has run silently for years, has begun popping up a Power Shell interface window that shows that the task is running and reports its progress (only takes a few seconds). The window closes when the task finishes.

I have no idea what has made this window start appearing, and I'd like to prevent it, while keeping the task. There might be a variable I could add to the argument line, but I don't know what it is. Task specs below, for reference:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Checkpoint-Computer -Description \"Daily Restore Point\" -RestorePointType \"MODIFY_SETTINGS\""

I use a vbs intermediary to prevent TS tasks opening cmd or PS windows.
NirCmd can also be used to do this.

How have you been suppressing the PS window until now?
What exactly does TS run? The command you show in your OP? I would have expected that always to have displayed a PS window.


Denis

@Try3
Haven't done anything to suppress it. It just hasn't shown up on my desktop until a day or two ago.
Yes. The command I show in OP.

In TS, the Action panel has powershell.exe as the program, and the rest of it as arguments.

Sorry then, I won't be able to help you.
I'll experiment later. There must have been a change in behaviour that I had not noticed before.


Best of luck,
Denis

@Try3 I've tried adding -windowstyle hidden -command to the beginning of the argument line. Sorta works. Instead of staying open and showing progress until the process finshes, it now flashes open and shut. At least that's better. I'll just take that as a confirmation that the task has run successfully from now on, unless I find a way to stop the window entirely.

Check if the task is still running as you, or running with highest privileges. Tasks that don't run as you (while you're logged on), won't appear onscreen.

@garlin I think that did it! I don't know whether the -windowstyle hidden -command business is needed now. I'll run it without that, and if it runs without a window, I'll leave that stuff out. Many thanks.

EDIT: Runs without a window with Whether user is logged in or not selected as well as With highest privileges. Yay!

@garlin It occurred to me just now that I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "running as you." I have them set to "logged in or not" and "highest privileges," but, of course, the panel still indicates that user account is <myusername>. It seems to be running without the window now, though.

Just a footnote: On both office machines, the Task ran this morning with no window at all, not even a blink. Thanks again, @garlin.

Wisewiz said:

Just a footnote: On both office machines, the Task ran this morning with no window at all, not even a blink. Thanks again, @garlin.

Click to expand...

Hey.

Sometimes i want to see the window of the .bat or ps1 file.
Sometimes i dont.
A good way to completely hide the window , is to compile them as .exe.
Additionally , .exe files cant open as text files and change.

1) For the batch (.bat) files i use this app

2) For .ps1 its a little bit complicated as we have to install a module.
Solution is here.

Cheers.

Converting to EXE does work. Just be aware, some security products may identify them as potential malware.