TinyTask does one thing: it records what you do with the mouse and keyboard, then plays it back. No scripting, no conditions, no learning curve. You press record, do the boring thing once, press stop, and from then on press play. The program is a single executable of a few dozen kilobytes that needs no installation.
It is free for personal use, closed source, and deliberately minimal — the author describes himself only as “just some guy” and the documentation is intentionally sparse.
TinyTask at a glance
| Version | 1.77 according to the download page. The published revision history stops at 1.75, so 1.76 and 1.77 have no changelog |
|---|---|
| Licence | Free for personal use (donationware) |
| Platform | Windows, 32-bit executable. No minimum version stated by the author |
| Installation | Not required — one self-contained file |
| Dependencies | None: written in C using system calls only, no .NET or Java |
| Macros you build | Can be compiled to an .exe and distributed or sold without royalties |
What it can do
- Record and replay mouse movement, clicks and keystrokes exactly as performed.
- Repeat a recording a set number of times or continuously.
- Change playback speed — preset multipliers plus your own custom value.
- Compile to an executable: turn a recording into a standalone .exe you can hand to a colleague who does not have TinyTask.
- Keep settings in a file next to the program, so it stays portable.
- Stay on top of other windows, with an optional playback countdown.
- Interface available in several languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.
Download and first macro
- Click the Download button at the top of this page and unpack the archive.
- Run the executable — no installation, no administrator rights for normal use. For automating games the author recommends running it as administrator.
- Press record, perform the sequence once at a calm pace, press stop.
- Press play to check it. If it goes wrong, the panic keys are Break, Scroll Lock, Pause or Ctrl+Shift+Alt+P.
- Save the recording, or compile it into an executable for repeated use.
Practical tip: start the recording from a fixed, known state — the same window position, the same starting folder. TinyTask replays coordinates, so anything that moves will break the macro.
What it cannot do
- No conditions, loops with logic, variables or image recognition. It replays actions blindly.
- It works only with visible foreground applications — it is not a batch or script execution engine, and it cannot drive a minimised window or a server session.
- Hotkeys are not freely customisable. Only the preset combinations are available; the author built a fully customisable version and dropped it because of the added size.
- There is no formal support and the help is deliberately minimal.
- If a window opens in a different place than when you recorded, the clicks land in the wrong spot.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| A macro runs away and you cannot stop it | Break, Scroll Lock, Pause, or Ctrl+Shift+Alt+P. The author notes another application can capture the keyboard and block these — in that case use Ctrl+Alt+Del. |
| Antivirus flags the file | A known false positive; the 1.75 release changed the binary output specifically to reduce it. Any program that synthesises keystrokes tends to be flagged. |
| The macro clicks the wrong places | Coordinates are absolute. Maximise windows before recording, and re-record after changing screen resolution or scaling. |
| The compiled executable does not stop | Fixed in 1.74 — use the current version. |
| Nothing happens in a game | Run TinyTask as administrator; some games also block synthetic input entirely. |
A note on versions
The download page lists 1.77, while the author’s own revision history ends at 1.75, so the last two versions have no published notes. There are also separate “with editor” builds carrying no version number at all. Worth knowing if you need to document exactly which build is deployed.
TinyTask vs. alternatives
| Tool | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Actiona | Visual editor with conditions, loops and image search; cross-platform, much more capable |
| Clavier+ | Hotkeys and text expansion rather than recording; also tiny and portable |
| AutoHotkey | Free scripting language, enormous capability, needs actual code |
| Power Automate Desktop | Microsoft’s flow-based automation included with Windows; heavier, but far more robust |
FAQ
Is TinyTask free?
Yes, free for personal use. It is donationware and closed source.
Can I sell or share a macro I made?
Yes. The author states there are no royalties or restrictions on distributing compiled macros.
Does it need installing?
No. It is a single self-contained file, which is also why it works from a flash drive.
Why does my antivirus complain?
Programs that generate keystrokes and mouse events trigger heuristic detections. The author changed the build in 1.75 to reduce these false positives.
Can it click a button that moves?
No. It replays coordinates, so it cannot find a control that has shifted. For that you need image search, which Actiona has.
Does it work on Linux?
No. A 2021 changelog mentions preliminary compatibility testing, but nothing was ever released.
Is there a TinyTask for Mac, iPhone, Android or Chromebook?
No official one. TinyTask is a 32-bit Windows program and the author lists no versions for other systems. If you need a macro recorder on a Mac, see our TinyTask alternatives.
What is the difference between the .exe, .zip and setup downloads?
They are three packages of the same program. The .exe is the self-contained app and the author’s recommended choice. The .zip contains the same file and helps where downloading executables is blocked. The setup file installs TinyTask into Program Files, adds a Start menu entry and an uninstaller.
TinyTask or Tiny Task: is it the same program?
Yes. People search for it both ways, but the program is spelled TinyTask and the author publishes it at tinytask.net.
