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
    2017-06-12T22:44:09+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!

    Please clarify the build # in which the fix is found, and for whom this build is available.

    I am not in the Insiders program. I have an Office 365 subscription. I used the "Office Account" page in Outlook, clicked on the "Update Options" button, selected "Update Now", and it updated my current installation to "Build 8201.2075 Click-to-Run".

    Even after doing all that, I still see the offending task in the Task Scheduler.

    Note that this is different from the "8210.2075" described above as being the "mainstream build" in which this is fixed.

    A previous post from you stated that the .exe actually does nothing, so I've just disabled it for now. But I expected that installing the update would have removed the task and the problem. Given the build # I have, what behavior should I expect to see?

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-09T21:06:22+00:00

    This was so annoying! I had to record my screen with PowerPoint to figure out what window kept popping up! First google search brought me here. 2nd response showed me to look in the task scheduler, but my fix was different. I edited the trigger to run at logon of any user, with 15 minute delay. I was tempted to delete the entry but figured it might be useful, and 1 hour duration was the maximum for the repeated duration.

    The worst part was when I thought it could be from a virus or some newly installed software, or homeland security spying on me :p . It flashed so fast I couldn't read what it was!

    Thanks to all of you who contributed to this issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-06-09T16:35:08+00:00

    Keep clicking "update now" a few times a day. 16.0.8210.2075 arrived here (The Netherlands) on June 8th around 14:00 UTC and it solved the problem for us. It appears to be not just a fix for this bug but a scheduled update that includes new functionality.

    IMHO Microsoft should not distribute urgent bug-fixes like this as part of a scheduled package, but ASAP or make a downloadable patch available.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-06-09T15:34:48+00:00

    I'm still having the same issue that reseiler reported in April, but mine started last week when I updated my computer.  I've just confirmed that my computer is up to date, and yet, I'm having problems with the officebackgroundtaskhandler.exe flashing on my screen.  Today it seems to be happening more, and freezing my computer every time it does happen.  And it's more than flashing today, this last time the command prompt stayed open for 2 minutes before closing; this was how I even knew what was causing it.  This issue is happening with my director's computer after he did the same update I did.

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