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
    2017-04-21T19:27:43+00:00

    My workaround was to switch to Insider slow instead of Insider Fast for Office 365. That solved it for me. Or the workaround removed the problem so to speak :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-21T19:33:56+00:00

    No help to you now, but there's an easier way: edit the task and set it to "At log on of any user," just like its cousin task with the similar name.

    Great to hear though that this is a new issue (I was just thinking that I hadn't noticed it for a couple months, or did, and dismissed it as something else) and that it's being looked at.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-04-21T19:56:55+00:00

    Same issue here.  I had the problem a few weeks ago - spoke to support - ran through "repairing" of Office 365 install.  Problem stopped for about a week - but started back up over the last couple of days.  Also Fast Track

    Still image of the pop-up captured from screen record:

    (...Microsoft Office\root\Office16\officebackgroundtaskhandler.exe)

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-04-21T21:48:58+00:00

    I've been seeing this as well. I only caught the name of the window just now when it appeared and actually stayed visible for several seconds before disappearing.

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