Error 0x80070005 creating a Task using Task Scheduler in Windows XP

When you create a new task using Task Scheduler in Windows XP, error 0x80070005: Access is denied may occur when you click the Finish button. The detailed error message is given below.

The new task has been created, but may not run because the account information could not be set.
The specific error is:
0x80070005: Access is denied.
Try using the Task page Browse button to locate the application.

Solution

This happens if the user account under which the task is scheduled to run has a blank password. To resolve the problem, create a password for the user account used to run the task. Follow these steps:



  1. Click Start, Control Panel, and double-click User Accounts.
  2. Click the user account you want to add a password to, and then click Create a Password.
  3. Type the new password and password hint (optional), and click Create Password.
  4. Log off and then log on again.
  5. Open Task Scheduler to reconfigure the task, and provide the user name and password when prompted.

Editor’s note: When there is only one user account in the system, and if it has a blank password assigned, Windows will log in to the user account automatically at startup. As you’ve created a new password now, Windows will stop at the Welcome Screen and requires you to type the password to log in. To automatically login to your user account at startup, see the article Configure Windows XP to Automatically Login for more instructions. It works by storing the credentials in a protected area in the registry.


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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

3 thoughts on “Error 0x80070005 creating a Task using Task Scheduler in Windows XP”

  1. thanks , i didnt set a password at Administrator account and i cant set a task , after i added a password its work .

    Reply
  2. The easiest Answer to my query! Very good advice – didnt realise I just had to add my windows password! Super advice – Thanks

    Reply
  3. @Greg: This only works for Win XP Prof, in Home Edition the “Local Security Policy” is not available. If you are home edition user, you have to change this value from 1 to 0 directly in the registry (Start -> Run -> regedit -> Enter):
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Lsa\LimitBlankPasswordUse=0
    and
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\LimitBlankPasswordUse=0

    Reply

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