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
    2017-06-07T12:47:32+00:00

    I'm not in the Office Insider program either, but we are seeing this now because Microsoft carelessly released this flawed update for Office to us even though Insiders reported the issue back in April.  Nice, huh?

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-07T12:26:34+00:00

    I've started seeing this pop up, even though i'm not on office or windows insider program

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-06-07T00:53:36+00:00

    This is unacceptable Microsoft, especially since this is how a typical virus signature might operate.

    Is this more "do as I say, but not as I do" programming from Microsoft?  As a software engineer's with 34 years of experience going back to the origins of a PC, I would be out of a job if attempted to backdoor around security like this, yes I know why Microsoft is using a cmd shell, and it's not something I would expect from a company that supposedly claims to be "secure".

    Amazed, simply amazed this exists in production/public release.

    Rob

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-06-06T23:36:30+00:00

    Updated yesterday June 5th 2017 and it keeps popping up, if there is any other fix please help

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