Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. TinyTask is 100% free to download and use. It is classified as freeware by Vista Software, which means there is no trial period, no paid upgrade tier, and no feature gating. The full application ships as a single 36 KB executable with every feature unlocked from the start. There are no hidden costs, no in-app purchases, and no subscription fees. The freeware license covers both personal and commercial use.

Yes. TinyTask is safe to use on Windows 11 and has been tested across all recent Windows releases. The program is written in pure C with no external dependencies. At 36 KB, there is physically not enough code to hide malware. Windows SmartScreen may flag TinyTask the first time because the executable lacks a paid code-signing certificate. Click More info, then Run anyway. Verify the SHA-256 hash on our download page for extra assurance.

TinyTask needs Windows XP or later (including Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11), roughly 1 MB of free RAM during operation, and 36 KB of free disk space. No .NET Framework, Java, or other runtime is required. The same single x86 EXE works on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. TinyTask does not require an internet connection for recording, playback, saving, or compiling.

No. TinyTask is a Windows-only application built using native Win32 API calls for mouse and keyboard hooking. Vista Software does not offer Mac or Linux versions. Your best option for non-Windows systems is running TinyTask inside a Windows virtual machine using VirtualBox or Parallels. For native Mac alternatives, consider Automator or Keyboard Maestro. On Linux, xdotool and AutoKey provide similar automation capabilities.

Launch TinyTask.exe, click the red Record button or press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+R, perform your actions at a normal pace, then click Stop. Click Save to store the recording as a .rec file. TinyTask records absolute screen coordinates, so maximize your target window before recording. See our full getting started guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Yes. The loop count spinner on the toolbar sets repetitions. Set 1 for a single run, any number for fixed repetitions, or 0 for an infinite loop until you press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+P or click Stop. Combine loop counts with the speed slider to optimize batch data-entry workflows.

Yes. Record or load a macro, click the Compile button, and choose a save location. The resulting EXE is typically 50 to 70 KB and contains both the TinyTask runtime and your macro data. Recipients do not need TinyTask installed. Compiled EXEs run once at recorded speed without loop or speed controls.

Choose TinyTask for simple record-and-play automation with zero learning curve, portable 36 KB size, and built-in compile-to-EXE. Choose AutoHotkey when you need conditional logic, variables, file parsing, API interaction, or custom GUI applications. Many users keep both: TinyTask for quick one-off recordings and AutoHotkey for complex logic-driven automation.

Common fixes: run as administrator, add an antivirus exception, unblock the file in Properties, maximize target windows before playback, adjust the speed slider, and re-download if the EXE was corrupted. Delete corrupted settings files if the toolbar appears blank. See our complete troubleshooting guide for all 15 proven fixes.

Close TinyTask, navigate to the folder containing TinyTask.exe, and delete the file. That is the entire uninstall process. TinyTask does not write to the Windows registry, does not create AppData folders, and does not register services or scheduled tasks. Delete any .rec files or compiled EXEs separately if no longer needed.

Yes. TinyTask works 100% offline. The program never contacts any server, does not check for updates over the internet, does not send telemetry, and does not require activation. All recording, playback, saving, and compiling happen locally on your machine.

TinyTask can automate basic repetitive actions in games with static UI elements, but it has limitations: no pixel detection, coordinate-dependent playback, no conditional logic, and potential anti-cheat detection in multiplayer titles. For simple clicker games and single-player titles without anti-cheat, it works. For competitive multiplayer, automation may violate terms of service and risk account bans.

TinyTask has no built-in scheduler, but you can compile a macro to EXE and use Windows Task Scheduler to launch it at a specific time, daily, weekly, or at logon. The screen must be unlocked and the target application positioned correctly for coordinate-based macros to succeed.

No. TinyTask is freeware, not open source. You can use and distribute the unmodified TinyTask.exe freely, but the source code is not publicly available. If you need open-source automation, consider AutoHotkey (GPLv2) or xdotool on Linux. TinyTask's 36 KB size provides transparency about scope: there is no room for hidden functionality beyond recording and playback.

TinyTask has no auto-update feature. Download the latest TinyTask.exe from our download page and replace the old file. Your existing .rec macro files continue to work with new versions. The .rec format has remained stable across releases, so you do not need to re-record macros after updating.