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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: ehmen on May 18, 2015, 02:37:17 AM

Title: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 18, 2015, 02:37:17 AM
Hi, in my task manager I sometimes see such a task:

taskeng.exe   Task Scheduler Engine   taskeng.exe {long string of letters/numbers}

I've tried looking through my Task Scheduler to identify what that character string is, but I can't find it, as there's no "find/search" feature in the task scheduler.

Does anyone know how I could identity a task in the Scheduler?

Thank you!
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: bob3160 on May 18, 2015, 03:48:58 PM
Have you tried a Google search ???
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: Eddy on May 18, 2015, 05:27:33 PM
Just two ways to start to understand the task scheduler.

http://www.7tutorials.com/first-steps-working-task-scheduler

http://tinyurl.com/pyefr2q
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: polonus on May 18, 2015, 06:31:12 PM
Some basic reading: http://www.windowshelp.net/windows-processes/taskeng.exe.aspx
Read here: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff382713.aspx

polonus
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 19, 2015, 04:08:21 AM
Have you tried a Google search ???
Of course, I did that prior to posting this question, and all I got there is how to use the Task Scheduler, just as I got below:
Just two ways to start to understand the task scheduler.

http://www.7tutorials.com/first-steps-working-task-scheduler

http://tinyurl.com/pyefr2q
Some basic reading: http://www.windowshelp.net/windows-processes/taskeng.exe.aspx
Read here: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff382713.aspx

polonus
Thanks guys for your assistance, but I already know how to use the Scheduler, and as indicated above, I looked through all the folder but haven't found the long stringed task I saw in the Task Manager, which is why I'm asking if anyone knows a way to search for a unidentified task.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: polonus on May 19, 2015, 08:52:56 AM
Hi ehmen,

Did you try to use this fine program to identify unknown task number, autoruns? See: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

polonus
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 19, 2015, 03:11:33 PM
Is it more comprehensive than WinPatrol?

Thanks.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 04:01:08 PM
Is it more comprehensive than WinPatrol?

Thanks.
Entirely different programs with totally different purposes. 
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: Eddy on May 19, 2015, 04:05:01 PM
And the Sysinternal tools are free while WinPatrol is not.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 04:06:11 PM
And the Sysinternal tools are free while WinPatrol is not.
Sorry Eddy but there is a free version of WinPatrol. :)
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: Eddy on May 19, 2015, 04:17:57 PM
Haven't seen it on the Winpatrol website.
Could ofcourse be that I have overlooked it though.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 20, 2015, 12:31:52 AM
Is it more comprehensive than WinPatrol?

Thanks.
Entirely different programs with totally different purposes.
Doesn't WinPatrol also show you the startup tasks and processes?
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: bob3160 on May 20, 2015, 12:37:11 AM
Is it more comprehensive than WinPatrol?

Thanks.
Entirely different programs with totally different purposes.
Doesn't WinPatrol also show you the startup tasks and processes?
Yes it does but that's not it's primary function. There's a lot of security related technology included in WinPatrol.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 20, 2015, 01:24:10 AM
So what does Autoruns have that WinPatrol doesn't?

Thanks.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: polonus on May 20, 2015, 01:50:37 AM
Hi ehmen,

Answer to that question here: http://www.7tutorials.com/whats-best-startup-manager-windows
Just type Autoruns vs Winpatrol in Google and you get the answers via that search query  :)
Autoruns was a tool that was used to accompany HJT, now it can be used alongside modern tools
A lot of experts have Autoruns as a favorite, I use it next to Freefixer.
Re: http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-startup-manager.htm

polonus
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: bob3160 on May 20, 2015, 02:19:35 PM
So what does Autoruns have that WinPatrol doesn't?

Thanks.
This is just the free version of WinPatrol:
 (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1432124192508-66706.png)

http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html (http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html)

The Plus version adds the following

 (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1432124365023-4818.png)
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: bob3160 on May 20, 2015, 02:24:21 PM
If you're interested in WinPatrol Plus, see the following to save money:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=19387.msg1195303#msg1195303 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=19387.msg1195303#msg1195303)
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 22, 2015, 01:39:07 AM
Hi ehmen,

Did you try to use this fine program to identify unknown task number, autoruns? See: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

polonus
2 files downloaded, Autoruns.exe and autorunsc.exe, what's the difference between them?
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 22, 2015, 08:11:40 PM
Also would you be concerned with this scan results?
https://www.metascan-online.com/en/scanresult/file/31d6a89a73c74dfb919aa97fe310f287
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: polonus on May 22, 2015, 10:46:10 PM
Hi ehmen,

Yes I would and that is because you downloaded it from a download site that is bundling it with junk - PUP - crap - adware or what will you call it, at least unwanted.
These programs should be downloaded from sites that are known to provide clean downloads like: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/autoruns/
It is a pity that sites offering non-bundled downloads are getting rare, there almost is not a program any longer that is free (as in free beer). When downloading unchecky is your best companion.

polonus
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 23, 2015, 01:47:09 AM
These programs should be downloaded from sites that are known to provide clean downloads like: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/autoruns/
I downloaded it from the link you provided above:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
That's not a good source?


Also:
2 files downloaded, Autoruns.exe and autorunsc.exe, what's the difference between them?

Thank you polonus!
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: polonus on May 23, 2015, 02:19:25 AM
Hi ehmen,

They are similar only the one is the normal stand-alone program you work from the desktop
and the other is to be started from Accessories with the command prompt
But that is being explained on the developer's site and the instructions how to use the tool.

polonus
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 27, 2015, 12:23:08 AM
Do you know why it has this scan result:
https://www.metascan-online.com/en/scanresult/file/31d6a89a73c74dfb919aa97fe310f287
If I downloaded it from the link you provided?
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: Pondus on May 27, 2015, 12:32:06 AM
Do you know why it has this scan result:
https://www.metascan-online.com/en/scanresult/file/31d6a89a73c74dfb919aa97fe310f287
If I downloaded it from the link you provided?
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
according to detection name it comes bundled with crossrider toolbar crap   http://malwaretips.com/blogs/win32-toolbar-crossrider-removal/



Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 27, 2015, 12:57:35 AM
But if it doesn't need to be installed, how could a toolbar come bundled? In other words, without an installation, when would the toolbar be offered (which is why it'd be bundled in the first place)?
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: Pondus on May 27, 2015, 08:01:43 AM
have you heard about Google / Bing  ?  ...... very nice tools to find answers to the (million) questions you have   ;)


Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: Michael (alan1998) on May 27, 2015, 12:27:30 PM
Why go to google, when you can just come here and ask and get a good friendly answer?
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 27, 2015, 06:58:11 PM
have you heard about Google / Bing  ?  ...... very nice tools to find answers to the (million) questions you have   ;)
Of course I search for answers myself before posting a question.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: bob3160 on May 27, 2015, 07:17:29 PM
Install and use Unchecky (http://unchecky.com/) to help you if you missed something and Always use Custom install.
Bundled installs are usually well disguised so be careful and read before you click.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on May 27, 2015, 07:29:48 PM
Install and use Unchecky (http://unchecky.com/) to help you if you missed something and Always use Custom install.
Bundled installs are usually well disguised so be careful and read before you click.
Thank you, obviously I always do a custom install to spot the garbage they try to sneak on me (not that I install stuff to often anyway).
But that's not what the question here is. Autoruns doesn't require installation, which prompted me to ask what toolbar the scan (link provided again below) could have spotted, since nothing is offered without an installation.

https://www.metascan-online.com/en/scanresult/file/31d6a89a73c74dfb919aa97fe310f287
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on June 01, 2015, 12:44:44 AM
have you heard about Google / Bing  ?  ...... very nice tools to find answers to the (million) questions you have   ;)
Please see the 2 links below and you'll understand why such a question can't be found with a Google/Bing search. The same applies to many other questions that'll cause a search engine to pull up irrelevant hits due to the nature of the question (in many cases also lengthy).

https://www.google.com/search?q=toolbar+bundled+with+non+install+porgram&oq=toolbar+bundled+with+non+install+porgram&aqs=chrome..69i57.7637j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+toolbars+come+bundled+with+stand+alone+program&spell=1&ei=yfdlVavMO8SxyASA1IKwBg
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on August 13, 2015, 12:47:54 AM
Hi, in my task manager I sometimes see such a task:

taskeng.exe   Task Scheduler Engine   taskeng.exe {long string of letters/numbers}

I've tried looking through my Task Scheduler to identify what that character string is, but I can't find it, as there's no "find/search" feature in the task scheduler.

Does anyone know how I could identity a task in the Scheduler?

Thank you!
Hi ehmen,

Did you try to use this fine program to identify unknown task number, autoruns? See: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

polonus
I can't locate that long numbered task in AutoRuns, do you know how I could locate it?

Thank you.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: DavidR on August 13, 2015, 01:19:30 AM
There are times when you can get a link string of numbers associated with avasts emergency update function, but that is a uniquely name .exe file.

If it were related to avasts emergency update it would have .exe at the end and there would most likely be a folder and or a the same string.exe file name in the avast\setup or avast\emupdate sub-folder.

So I would suggest checking there and or doing a search on your system for the file/folder name.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on August 13, 2015, 01:29:40 AM
It isn't in: C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\Setup\emupdate.
But I found it in Process Explorer, I attached the path it's associated with.

Though I wonder, how Autoruns could have helped me find that, as that's why I downloaded it.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: DavidR on August 13, 2015, 03:29:58 PM
It isn't in: C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\Setup\emupdate.
But I found it in Process Explorer, I attached the path it's associated with.

Though I wonder, how Autoruns could have helped me find that, as that's why I downloaded it.

The problem being this has nothing to do with what program/process that created the scheduled task with the long string of numbers.

The taskeng.exe is what runs the scheduled task/s not the program that placed the entry as a scheduled task. http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/taskeng.exe.html (http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/taskeng.exe.html).

So you are no closer unfortunately.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on August 13, 2015, 10:57:31 PM
The problem being this has nothing to do with what program/process that created the scheduled task with the long string of numbers.

The taskeng.exe is what runs the scheduled task/s not the program that placed the entry as a scheduled task. http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/taskeng.exe.html (http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/taskeng.exe.html).

So you are no closer unfortunately.
Aren't the stuff listed in the attachment above, those programs?
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: DavidR on August 14, 2015, 01:30:43 AM
No I don't believe they are, those are the tasks/functions that taskeng.exe carries out, but it carries out some or all of those tasks on behalf of what ever created the scheduled task.

That is why I mentioned the only process that I know which might create a scheduled task that would have a large string of letters and numbers is the avast emergency update function.

There is an avast emergency update entry in the Task Scheduler - that runs to check if there is an emergency update available - if one is available then it creates another task schedule to handle the update. Once that update is done, this task schedule would be removed.

But virtually every answer given is a bit speculative as in all honesty, there is insufficient detailed information to say what is responsible when the general information is lacking in detail.
Quote from: ehmen
taskeng.exe   Task Scheduler Engine   taskeng.exe {long string of letters/numbers}

If you notice it again I suggest that you do a screenshot of it.
What has been mentioned before use WinPatrol as it can get more detailed information on scheduled tasks than might be available with how your trying to find out, see example image
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on August 14, 2015, 03:12:27 PM
No I don't believe they are, those are the tasks/functions that taskeng.exe carries out, but it carries out some or all of those tasks on behalf of what ever created the scheduled task.

That is why I mentioned the only process that I know which might create a scheduled task that would have a large string of letters and numbers is the avast emergency update function.
But the Avast emergency function doesn't carry out the task listed above, does it?
Quote from: ehmen
taskeng.exe   Task Scheduler Engine   taskeng.exe {long string of letters/numbers}

If you notice it again I suggest that you do a screenshot of it.
I always notice it, but a screenshot wouldn't help since the string is always changing, though the tasks associated with it don't.
What has been mentioned before use WinPatrol as it can get more detailed information on scheduled tasks than might be available with how your trying to find out, see example image
Attached is the WinPatrol info for that process (less information than Process Explorer gives me).

Thank you DavidR!
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: DavidR on August 14, 2015, 04:50:30 PM
I'm sorry but I'm going to bow out of this topic as I can't explain it an any other way and you clearly aren't understanding it.

The image you show isn't the one that was first stated with the taskeng.exe {long string of letters/numbers}.

You need to wait until you get that taskeng.exe entry with that {long string of letters/numbers}and then look and don't forget you can also use the Plus Info.. button.
Title: Re: How to identify task number
Post by: ehmen on August 14, 2015, 07:11:20 PM
I'm sorry but I'm going to bow out of this topic as I can't explain it an any other way and you clearly aren't understanding it.

The image you show isn't the one that was first stated with the taskeng.exe {long string of letters/numbers}.

You need to wait until you get that taskeng.exe entry with that {long string of letters/numbers}and then look and don't forget you can also use the Plus Info.. button.
I understand it very clearly, I'm trying to explain to you that the taskeng.exe entry is always there so I always look at it, but the long stringed number changes from log in to log in.

I don't have WinPatrol Plus.