How to run a Windows 2008 task from the scheduler with "interact with desktop"
I've had problems automating Office from a Windows Service under Windows Server 2008, even though that works fine under Windows Server 2003. The problem also occurs at the Open call, so it may be the same problem.
I tried following the advice given by H Ogawa in this MSDN thread, and it seemed to work. It's bizarre, but kudos to Mr. Ogawa for discovering it.
Summary of the 'Ogawa Hack': create a desktop folder for the system profile, as either
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop
, or
C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop
...depending on whether you have 64-bit Windows.
Also, the folder needs write permission for whatever user is "driving" Office.
[Edit: corrected link URL]