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 Z-Cron is a scheduler which you can use to run jobs/tasks on your PC time automatically with a schedule. Z-Cron is a control center for the scheduling or automation of software. In addition to the time-controlled start of applications, the program contains numerous tools which help to ease the automatical and timed system administration.
These are some examples of tasks that you might want to automate:
Starting and stopping applications (also with parameters)
Calling or saving websites
Loading documents
Starting and stopping system services (professional version)
Copying files and directories
Cleaning directories
Deleting files and directories
Automated zipping/unzipping (compressing/archiving) of files
Automated zipping/unzipping (compressing/archiving) of directories (professional version)
Establishing and disconnecting internet connections
Switching electronic devices
These tasks can be run automatically at the following points in time (also in 5 minute intervals):
Daily (Every x days)
Weekly (Every x weeks at a weekday you can choose)
Monthly (At the x calendar day or the x weekday of a month)
Once
After the system startup
You can use the Z-Cron scheduler in many different ways, for example:
Regular data backup (e.g. with Z-DataBurn or Z-TapeDump)
Switching of electrical equipment or devices
Automatic FTP data transfer (e.g. with Z-FTPcopy)
Checking data carriers for errors
Virus scans
...
Switching electronic devices
With Z-Cron, electronic devices can be switched on or off on schedule, or their current switching state can be toggled. Supported devices include, for example, Cleware Power USB switches and Shelly Plug M Gen3 Wi-Fi smart plugs.
This allows devices with a 230 V connection to be integrated directly into scheduled workflows. Instead of only displaying a message on the screen, Z-Cron can switch a signal lamp, a warning light, or a siren. Other electrical consumers can also be switched on or off on a schedule or depending on an event.
In combination with Z-Cron, these switches can also be used as timers with different switching intervals. Depending on the device used, control is handled either via USB or via the network using Wi-Fi.
The Cleware Power USB switch does not require any additional device drivers. The existing Windows USB drivers are sufficient. This keeps setup simple and avoids additional drivers in the system.
Shelly Plug M Gen3 smart plugs are controlled via the network. The smart plug must be set up in the Wi-Fi network and must have a reachable IP address. The relevant connection data can then be entered in Z-Cron, and the desired switching action can be used as a job.
Z-Cron not only starts programs, but can also display messages, show reminders, shut down the computer on schedule, or switch external devices. The built-in tools can be selected directly by entering their command name or by using the "Tools" button. Please note that the commands must be entered in uppercase letters.
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Function
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Description
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Freeware
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ALARM
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Shows the Z-Alarm-clock window for 4 minutes. The sound will be played with the built-in speaker, in contrast to the command Z-ALARM
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CHECKHTML
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Check if a specific HTML page is available and if not, run a Z-Cron job.
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CHECKPOINT
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Create Windows System Restore Point.
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CHECKURL
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Check for internet connection and run a command if no connection has been established.
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CLEANFILE
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Scheduled deleting of files which are older than XX days. You can set the age of the files in an input field in the task's setup.
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CLEANUPDIR
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Delete all files and subdirectories in the selected directory which are older than XX days. You can set the age of the files using an input field in the task 's setup. This command works recursively.
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COPYDIR
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Copy a directory.
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COPYFILE
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Copy file(s).
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DELETE
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Delete file(s).
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DESTROY
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Close a window/application.
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DOWNLOAD
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Download file via HTTP protocol.
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DYNIPMAIL
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Check dynamic IP address and send e-mail if it changes.
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EMPTY-TRASH
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Empty Windows recycle bin on all drives.
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FS20-SEND
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Send a command to an FS20 receiver to remotely controll your connected devices.
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GETURL
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File download using HTTP protocol.
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HIBERNATE
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Sets computer into hibernate mode with the possibility to reactivate it after a certain period of time.
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HOSTPING
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With this function you can send "PINGs" to a host name to test a computer's reaction time and availability.
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INFO
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Shows the saved info message on the screen for 4 minutes.
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IPCAM-MAIL
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Take a photo with an IP camera and send it to an email address.
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KILL
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Quits a program.
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KILLWIN
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Quit a program given its window name.
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KILLWIN-JOB
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Quit a program given its window name and run a Z-Cron job afterwards.
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LASTRUN
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Launches a program and shuts down the computer after the program has finished.
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LOCKMYPC
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Lock computer/workstation.
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LOGFILECLEAR
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Delete Z-Cron log file.
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LOGOFF
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Log out of the system.
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MAIL
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Send email with SMTP.
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MESSAGE
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Send message to a computer or workgroup (Microsoft messenger service).
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MOH-PLAY
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Start Music on Hold (MoH).
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MOH-STOP
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Stop Music on Hold (MoH).
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MONITOROFF
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Switch off screen (Powersave).
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MONITORON
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Switch on screen (Powersave).
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MOVEDIR
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Move directory/folder.
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MOVEFILE
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Move file(s).
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MP3-FOLDER-LOOP
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Play all MP3 files within a given folder in a contiuous loop.
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MP3-FOLDER
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Play all MP3 files within a given folder.
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MP3-PLAY
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Play an MP3 media file.
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MP3-HALT
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Pause the playback of an MP3 file.
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MP3-RESUME
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Resume the playback of an MP3 file.
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MP3-STOP
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Stop the playback of an MP3 file.
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MSSQL-DESK-START
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Starting MSSQL desktop.
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MSSQL-DESK-STOP
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Ending MSSQL desktop.
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NIC-START
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Switch on a selected network card.
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NIC-STOP
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Switch off a selected network card.
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NTPTIME
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Synchronize system time with a NTP time server. You need access to a time server and must not use a firewall blocking UDP port 37 because time is adjusted using this port.
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OLLAMA-START
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Start Ollama as a Windows System Service
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OPEN
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The display is carried out with the application registered for the file type.
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PAPER-SHUFFLE
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Load a random picture from a specified folder and set it as the PC wallpaper (Freeware Version supports only 20 pictures).
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PC-TIMER
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Wake up the computer at a specified time.
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PING
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Command to send "PINGs" to an IP-Address to test a computer's reaction time and availability.
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PLAY
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Playing multi-Media file. The account is carried out with the application registered for the file type.
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POWERCHANGE
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Switch electrical device over the USB port.
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POWEROFF
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Switch off electrical device over the USB port.
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POWERON
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Switch on electrical device over the USB port.
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POWERSWITCH
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Switch electrical device on if it was off, off if it was on.
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PRINTFILE
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Print a file or document.
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RAS-DIAL
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Establish an internet/VPN connection with Dialup network connections (Modem/ISDN).
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RAS-HANGUP
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Disconnect internet/VPN connection.
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REBOOT
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Reboot computer.
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REMOTE-SHUTDOWN
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Shut down a remote computer in your network.
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RMDIR
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Delete a directory.
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SCREENMAIL
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Send screen as image via email.
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SCREENSAVEON
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Switch on screensaver.
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SCREENSAVEOFF
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Switch off screensaver.
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SELFTEST
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Virus self test.
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SENDLOGFILE
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Send Z-Cron log file as e-mail.
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SERVICE-RESTART
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Restarts the selected system service.
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SERVICE-START
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Starts the selected system service.
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SERVICE-STOP
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Stops the selected system service.
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SERVICE-WATCH
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Monitors the selected system service.
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SETARCHIVBIT
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Set archive bit.
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SHADOW-COPY
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Create a shadow copy of a selected drive.
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SHELLYPLUG
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Switch the Shelly Plug M Gen3 Wi-Fi smart plug on or off
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SHUTDOWN
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Shut down computer
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SHUTDOWN-MESSAGE
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Shut down computer
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SSH-COMMAND
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The command SSH-COMMAND can be used to send commands via SSH to a remote computer.
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STANDBY
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Sets the computer into Standby mode.
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STARTREMOTE
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Start a Z-Cron job on a computer in the network.
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THERMO-OFF
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Start job if temperature is below specified threshold.
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THERMO-ON
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Start job if temperature is above specified threshold.
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TIMESTAMP
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Write a timestamp into the log file.
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TOUCHFILES
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Change file timestamps (last access/last change).
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UNZIP
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Unzip ZIP file in the indicated directory.
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VBSRIPT
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Execute VBScript code.
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VIDEO-FOLDER
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Play all video files in a given folder with the Z-Cron video player
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VIDEO-PLAY
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Play a video file with the Z-Cron video player.
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VIDEO-STOP
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Stop the playback of video file and terminate the Z-Cron video player.
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VOLUMECONTROL
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Change volume or set to "mute". Currently not supported on Windows Vista/7.
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VPN-CONNECT
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Establish a connection to a VPN server.
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VPN-DISCONNECT
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Terminate the connection to a VPN server.
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WAKEONLAN
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Switch on computers in the local network.
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WAKEUPONSTANDBY
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Put computer into sleep mode and automatically wake it up at a specified time.
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WALLPAPER
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Change Windows desktop background picture.
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WATCH
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Monitors a program. If a monitored program "dies", it will be restarted.
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WATCH-JOB
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Program supervision starts a Z Cron job if the indicated program hasn't started.
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WAVEPLAY
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Play a .wav file.
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Z-ALARM
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Shows Z-Alarm clock window for 4 minutes and plays the file zcron.wav.
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ZIPFILE
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Save file into a ZIP file.
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ZIPFOLDER
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Save directory into a ZIP file.
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