OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration flashes a window every hour

Anonymous
2017-04-15T05:19:15+00:00

Is there a really, really good reason that the "OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration" task (see it in Task Scheduler, Microsoft, Office) must run every hour?  This is what it says that it does: "This task initiates Office Background Task Handler, which updates relevant Office data."

I ask, because it runs officebackgroundtaskhandler.exe in such a way that it flashes a window (itself) on the screen. Only instantaneously to be sure, but it's noticeable, especially once you catch onto what's happening. You can run the task manually if you want to see it without waiting.

Why doesn't the task use one of the many tricks to hide a window from displaying?

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Anonymous
2017-05-30T14:37:13+00:00

( Update 6/7/17 - PaulSey... )

The fix is now available in mainstream builds 16.8210.2075 released on 6/6/17

This issue is fixed starting with build 16.0.8201.2025 which is now available as the latest update for those participating in the Office Insiders Slow program. It will be included in a future update for those not participating in Insiders.

For more information on joining Office Insiders see the Office Insider page.

Thank you everyone for reporting this issue!

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-05-25T15:02:50+00:00

    I'm seeing this on my Windows 10 (1607! I am not on any "ring" AFAIK) desktop for about the last week now - horribly annoying.

    Considering this thread currently has about 535 more posts than a regular answers.ms post may we think

    that MS will fix this some time in the near future?

    FYI: I found out what it was that was causing the window to pop-up by using SysMon from SysInternals and checking the event log after one of the flashes. Those SI guys need all kinds of medals - their tools have helped me many times over the years

    T

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-24T11:42:02+00:00

    Correct, I tried this, using the "start" command directly from Task Scheduler does not work.

    Here's what I did to work around the problem.

    Download and unzip cmdh.exe - http://www.gate2.net/tools/cmdh/cmdh.html

    This is a tool that allows you to run a console command with the console hidden.

    Modify the task in Task Scheduler.  Move the value originally in the "Program/Script" field to the "Arguments" field and add double quotes around it.  Then for the "Program/Script" field, point it to cmdh.exe.

    This is dumb to have to do, but it solves the problem without breaking the job, and it does not add additional admin privileges.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-05-24T11:22:03+00:00

    I can vouch that this does work! Unfortunately, you kind of either need to know the local administrative account password or be using the admin account. Otherwise, the task scheduler will require elevation and you will be stuck.

    Once you allow the task to run without a user and put in local administrative password, it works as it should and you will not have anymore prompt. 

    Thanks again for this info.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-05-24T11:13:06+00:00

    This doesn't run the application correctly. When I set it up exactly as you have shown, task scheduler says "File specified not found". It does not like the start in program/script.

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