diff --git a/utils/install-basic-software.ps1 b/utils/install-basic-software.ps1
index 8257d2d..a7341bd 100644
--- a/utils/install-basic-software.ps1
+++ b/utils/install-basic-software.ps1
@@ -32,6 +32,14 @@ $packages = @(
 echo "Setting up Chocolatey software package manager"
 Get-PackageProvider -Name chocolatey -Force
 
+echo "Creating daily task to automatically upgrade Chocolatey packages"
+# adapted from https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/heyscriptingguy/2013/11/23/using-scheduled-tasks-and-scheduled-jobs-in-powershell/
+$taskName = "Chocolatey Daily Upgrade" 
+$taskAction = New-ScheduledTaskAction –Execute C:\programdata\chocolatey\choco.exe -Argument "upgrade all -y" 
+$taskTrigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -At 2am -Daily
+$taskUser = "Admin"
+Register-ScheduledTask –TaskName $taskName -Action $taskAction –Trigger $taskTrigger -User $taskUser 
+
 echo "Installing Packages"
 Install-Package -Name $packages -Force -ProviderName chocolatey