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?

Insider Fast on Win10.

Microsoft 365 Insider | Install, activate, and update | Windows

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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
    2017-05-30T02:50:55+00:00

    I'm adding my complaint to the pile. I'm not participating in any insider program. Build is 

    Version 1703 (OS Build 15063.296)

    Office 2016

    Is there any harm in disabling this task when Office is not being interactively used?

    Thanks.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-30T01:59:14+00:00

    I'm seeing this too, but I never signed up for any insider program. Super annoying that it steals the focus from full-screen apps. When I looked at task history, I saw this process was the culprit.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-05-29T18:53:03+00:00

    This is now happening in the main release (as I, nor my clients are on the insider build)

    Version 1703

    OS Build: 15063.296

    I have at least 16 clients affected with this and they are all panicking and giving me grief about it, thinking that it is some kind of virus! or malware, with the recent incidents in the news.

    I had to do a lot of investigation to get to the bottom of it and ended up here!

    Is there any indication of a fix for this? MS doesn't even seemed to have responded officially yet on this thread?

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-05-29T14:00:55+00:00

    Issue persists in the latest production build (1704).

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