Program or background process popup keeps appearing

Anonymous
2018-08-14T17:13:21+00:00

For days I've been getting this popup window on my Windows 10 Build 1803 computer:

"The program or a background process quit unexpectedly. Would you like to send information to a developer?"

It occurs intermittently, often every 5-10 minutes, and is EXTREMELY annoying. When I click on it, it disappears with no results but keeps reappearing. I cannot figure out what program is causing this as all programs I use are accounted for. The machine has been scanned several times and there is no sign of virus or malware. There have been no new programs installed and Windows and all drivers are current. It's a total loss to me what this is. 

Anyone have any idea?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2018-10-16T04:58:19+00:00

The newest build of System Mechanic - version 18.02.486 -- released in mid-October 2018 finally puts an end to this most irritating problem.

It appears to be safe to use System Mechanic again.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-27T04:51:09+00:00

    Yep it IS System Mechanic  Same issue on both PC and Laptop and you can trigger the popup by opening System Mechanic.

    Only started a few weeks ago. On the Laptop an icon pops up briefly in the tray but as someone said as soon as touch anything goes away.  I wasn't sure what the graphic on the icon was but its System Mechanic.

    The ESSEN 916 info in the event log seems unrelated.  On other forums, it has been an unresolved issue since 2017 but folks are just seeing it in the log but not getting the popup as described by most here. 

    As is often the case some of us don't have the time to be geeks and try all the more difficult solutions or even going to the extreme of reinstalling Windows.  Usually, it's a simple answer - in this case, appears to be a System Mechanics issue after all else was tried by great folks here until someone came up with the SM which I have confirmed on both my computers. 

    It only becomes simple when someone finds it and share with others as on this thread.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-17T02:25:40+00:00

    Actually, there are lots of possible causes for this error. Could be due to a corrupted system component, a hardware compatibility, a malware infection or an issue with the system settings. Here are the suggestions that you may try. I based it on your description of the issue and the screen shot that you've provided. These may not be the actually fix but might help us isolate the issue.

    Method 1 : Since you've mentioned that you were not able to install the latest update on your PC, the issue might be due to a corrupted update components**.Here are the possible fix.**

    Method 2 : You also mentioned that you are getting error when running SFC and DISM. These are Microsoft utilities that allow users to scan for and restore corrupted Windows system files.

    Run an elevated Command Prompt (CMD), then type net start **trustedinstaller.**Once the service is started, run the SFC again and see if it works.

    Method 3 : Change which apps run automatically at startup in Windows 10

    This is to isolate software conflict issues by disabling the auto startup programs. Please do not disable Microsoft related apps such as Windows updater, Windows Defender, video and sound card manager app, etc.

    Method 4 : If you are using  a Solid State Drive (SSD), check if TRIM is enabled or not.

    Run an elevated Command Prompt (CMD), then type fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify **.**If you see DisableDeleteNotify = 0 , TRIM is enabled. If enabled, try disabling it by running the fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 1 command in an elevated CMD.

    Method 5 : Download and install all the latest device drivers for your device. Kindly go to the device manufacturer to check for any available updates.

    Method 6 : In-place upgrade. This process will over write corrupted and missing system components by keeping your personal files, apps and settings intact.

    Update us with the results.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-08-27T21:45:33+00:00

    I think you are right, Dave. When I opened System Mechanic to do what you recommend, I immediately got the popup window. Funny that I've had SM for years and only started getting the popup recently. 

    I'll monitor the system and see if that fixes it. If not, I'll just get rid of System Mechanic. The subscription runs out in a few months. 

    Thanks so much!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-08-25T17:23:57+00:00

    Might it be in the Iolo software?  I have System Mechanic and I get the same pop-up.  Last night I noticed that when the pop-up appears, so does the System Mechanic logo at the bottom of the screen.  I don't even have to click on something to close the pop-up, simply moving the mouse closes it AND removes the System Mechanic logo from the quick launch toolbar.

    System Mechanic had an update recently that included the free version of Malware Killer.  It shows I have one dangerous file and wants me to purchase the full version to eradicate.

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