Launch batch script before windows login window

Question

I'm working on Windows Server 2003 and Windows server 2008. I would like to start a batch script just before the login window is displayed. I read about adding the script in the Group Policy editor (startup/shutdown) but it's not working (it worked for logon and logoff though).

An alternative would be to use the task scheduler service but it's not working either. Plus, I want to be able to see the results in a cmd window. That means the last alternative - creating a service to do the job - is not an option.

Do you have any idea ?

Thanks.

Solution

Control Panel -> Scheduled Tasks -> < follow the prompts>

Not as nice as a service, which you can start and stop through well-behaved commands, but if it is a service you want running at all times, it does the job.