microsoft / microsoft/PowerToys

Allow for simultaneous usage of CLI arguments "--use-parent-id" and "--expire-at"

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#46,281 4 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
Idea-Enhancement Needs-Team-Response Needs-Triage Product-Awake
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C
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Description

This was originally a bug report but after reading it you should get the gist.

### Microsoft PowerToys version

0.98.0

### Installation method

WinGet

### Area(s) with issue?

Awake

### Steps to reproduce

I have attempted 2 ways:

Powershell (for testing I know closing powershell closes Powertoys.Awake this way):
As the Powertoys.Awake.exe cmdlet is not functional at all. I had to use `Start-Process 'C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.Awake.exe' -ArgumentList "--expire-at=17:00:00", "--use-parent-pid"`

Task Scheduler:
Open executable: `C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.Awake.exe`
Arguments: `--expire-at=17:00:00 --use-parent-pid`

I have in both cases swapped arguments. I also checked if it worked without `--use-parent-pid`

### ✔️ Expected Behavior

When using `--use-parent-pid`:
Powertoys Awake runs in my taskbar and keeps my PC awake until the designated time.

When not using `--use-parent-pid`:
Powertoys just runs in my taskbar as an icon instead of opening a CLI that shows me some output when clicking the taskbar icon saying it failed to render it. I need this PC both awake and idiot (sorry users of my PC) proof.

### ❌ Actual Behavior

When using `--use-parent-pid` it ignores `--expire-at=17:00:00` and keeps awake indefinitely.

When not using `--use-parent-pid` it technically works fine, except that there's an unclosable CLI (I know it's minimizable but the computer is used by people who need to not be able to touch it because they will close it)

### Upload Bug Report ZIP-file

_No response_

### Additional Information

WIndows 11 Pro. It's up to date as of March 19 2026

It also does not show the right-click menu on the taskbar icon in all scenario's

### Other Software

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start at the Awake executable's command-line argument handling for --use-parent-pid and --expire-at, using the reproduction commands in this issue. Verify how the two options interact, then add or update coverage so both options work together and the process stops at the requested time.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
powershell
Domain
cli, desktop, operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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