Windows PC / Server
Windows Task Scheduler
Automate DDNS updates on Windows using Task Scheduler and PowerShell.
1
Test the check-in URL in PowerShell
Open PowerShell as Administrator and run a manual test first:
powershell
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://greatddns.com/api/checkin/?token=YOUR-DEVICE-TOKEN" -UseBasicParsing | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Content
You should see the JSON response. If PowerShell blocks the request, run: Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
2
Create a PowerShell script file
Create a script file that Task Scheduler will call. Open Notepad, paste the content below, and save as C:\GreatDDNS\checkin.ps1 (create the folder first):
powershell
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://greatddns.com/api/checkin/?token=YOUR-DEVICE-TOKEN" -UseBasicParsing | Out-Null
Create the folder first: New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path C:\GreatDDNS
3
Open Task Scheduler
Press Win+R, type taskschd.msc and press Enter. In Task Scheduler, click "Create Basic Task" in the right panel.
4
Configure the task
Fill in the task wizard:
• Name: GreatDDNS Check-in
• Trigger: Daily (we will change to every 5 min after)
• Action: Start a Program
• Program: powershell.exe
• Arguments: -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\GreatDDNS\checkin.ps1"
Click Finish, then find the task in the list.
5
Change trigger to every 5 minutes
Right-click your new task → Properties → Triggers tab → Edit the trigger:
• Change "Daily" to "One time"
• Check "Repeat task every: 5 minutes"
• Set "for a duration of: Indefinitely"
Click OK and then OK again.
Make sure "Run whether user is logged on or not" is selected under the General tab so it runs in the background.
6
Run the task manually to test
Right-click your task and select "Run". Check the Last Run Result column — it should show "The operation completed successfully (0x0)".
If you see an error, check the PowerShell execution policy: Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope LocalMachine