ascf-scheduler.exe

ASCF Task Scheduler Service

Application ProcessSafeSystem Utility

CPU Usage

0.5-5%

Memory

40-120 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\ASCF\Scheduler

Publisher

ASCF Software Ltd

Quick Answer

ascf-scheduler.exe is safe. It's ASCF's legitimate scheduler service that orchestrates automated tasks defined by the ASCF software, running in the background to trigger and coordinate scheduled jobs.

Is it a Virus?

1 NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\ASCF\Scheduler\ascf-scheduler.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\ASCF\Scheduler\ascf-scheduler.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

The ASCF Scheduler may spawn worker processes for each scheduled task to isolate load

Can I Disable?

1 YES

Disabling stops new tasks from starting; existing tasks may finish. Use the Services console or ASCF management tools to disable scheduler.

What is ascf-scheduler.exe?

ascf-scheduler.exe is the executable for the ASCF Scheduler Service, responsible for orchestrating automated tasks defined by the ASCF software. It runs in the background, launching and coordinating scheduled jobs, performing timing checks, and spawning child processes as needed to isolate tasks.

It operates as a Windows service that triggers tasks at configured intervals, supports per-task isolation, and communicates with the ASCF core for configuration, logging, and error handling. The process stays resident, using minimal CPU unless jobs run.

Quick Fact: ASCF pioneered modular task orchestration; each scheduled job can run in its own process to improve reliability and fault isolation.

Types of ASCF Processes

Scheduler Process: Main ASCF Scheduler service that coordinates jobs (single instance)
Worker Process: Runs individual scheduled tasks in isolation
Maintenance Process: Background tasks for clean-up and log rotation
Trigger Engine: Handles event-driven task queuing from ASCF services
Plugin Host: Isolated plugin runners for optional extensions
Communication Gateway: Handles status reporting to the ASCF central controller

Is ascf-scheduler.exe Safe?

Yes, ascf-scheduler.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from ASCF Software downloaded from official sources or bundled with the ASCF product.

Is ascf-scheduler.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real ascf-scheduler.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes imitates names to trick users.

How to Tell if ascf-scheduler.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\ASCF\Scheduler\ascf-scheduler.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\ASCF\Scheduler\ascf-scheduler.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file location in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show vendor 'ASCF Software Ltd' or an official ASCF certificate.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0.5-5% CPU, 40-120 MB memory depending on scheduled tasks.
Behavior: ASCF Scheduler runs as a background Windows Service. Unprompted spawning of unrelated processes warrants scanning.

Red Flags: If ascf-scheduler.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when Windows starts without ASCF components, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, run a system scan. Be wary of similarly-named files like "ascf-scheduler32.exe" or "scheduler.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is ascf-scheduler.exe Running on My PC?

ascf-scheduler.exe runs to manage and execute scheduled tasks defined by the ASCF software. It starts when ASCF components are installed, or when a Windows session requires scheduled actions.

Reasons it's running:

Active Task Schedule: You have configured tasks that are due or in progress; the scheduler triggers those jobs and may spawn workers per task.
Background Task Execution: ASCF performs maintenance, data syncing, or data transformation in the background via scheduled tasks.
Startup Service: ASCF Scheduler is configured to start automatically at Windows startup to ensure tasks run on boot or early in the session.
Periodic Maintenance: Routine maintenance tasks (log rotation, cleanup, integrity checks) run on a schedule to maintain system health.
Event-Driven Triggers: ASCF components emit events that queue tasks, causing the scheduler to wake and process work.

Can I Disable or Remove ascf-scheduler.exe?

Yes, you can disable ascf-scheduler.exe. It's safe to stop scheduled tasks when not required, and you can uninstall ASCF Scheduler if you no longer need it.

How to Stop ascf-scheduler.exe

Stop the Windows Service: Open Services (services.msc), locate ASCF Scheduler Service, and click Stop
Disable Startup: In Services, set Startup type to Disabled or use Task Manager -> Startup to disable ASCF Scheduler
Pause or Remove Tasks: Use the ASCF Management Console to pause or delete scheduled tasks to reduce activity
Stop Background Tasks: In the ASCF Console, disable background task options or lower concurrency
Uninstall ASCF Scheduler: Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> ASCF Scheduler -> Uninstall

How to Uninstall ASCF Scheduler

✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> ASCF Scheduler -> Uninstall
✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> ASCF Scheduler -> Uninstall
✔ After uninstall, remove remaining ASCF components if needed and reboot

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If ascf-scheduler.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Many Tasks Scheduled: Review the task list and consolidate or stagger executions to reduce concurrent load.
Resource-Heavy Tasks: Identify heavy tasks and optimize or schedule them during off-peak hours.
Faulty Tasks: Disable or repair tasks that loop or fail repeatedly to prevent resource leaks.
Misconfigured Intervals: Verify cron-like intervals in the ASCF Console and ensure they align with the desired cadence.
Outdated Version: Update ASCF Scheduler to the latest version via ASCF Updater to benefit from fixes.
Verbose Logging: Reduce log level or rotate logs to limit I/O and memory usage during operation.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open ASCF Scheduler Management Console to inspect active tasks and workers
2. Pause or reconfigure high-load tasks and stagger their start times
3. Review and reduce log verbosity under settings
4. Check for updates and install the latest ASCF Scheduler
5. Restart the ASCF Scheduler service to apply changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ascf-scheduler.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate ascf-scheduler.exe is part of the ASCF software suite and should reside in C:\Program Files\ASCF\Scheduler\ascf-scheduler.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\ASCF\Scheduler\ascf-scheduler.exe with a valid digital signature from ASCF Software Ltd.

Why is ascf-scheduler.exe using so much CPU?

CPU usage spikes occur when many tasks run concurrently or a single task is heavy. Use the ASCF Task Manager to identify culprits, then adjust scheduling, update tasks, or disable problematic ones.

Can I delete ascf-scheduler.exe?

You can uninstall ASCF Scheduler through Settings > Apps or Control Panel. Deleting the executable file manually is not recommended; use the official uninstall path to avoid orphaned components.

Can I disable ascf-scheduler.exe at startup?

Yes. Disable the ASCF Scheduler service in Services (services.msc) or disable the startup entry in Task Manager, then restart.

Where is ascf-scheduler.exe located?

Common locations are C:\Program Files\ASCF\Scheduler\ascf-scheduler.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\ASCF\Scheduler\ascf-scheduler.exe. Verify folder contains ASCF signatures and related components.

What tasks does ASCF Scheduler run?

ASCF Scheduler runs scheduled jobs defined in the ASCF Console, including maintenance, data sync, and integration tasks. Each task can run in its own process to isolate load and improve reliability.