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
    2017-06-12T22:44:09+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
    2017-06-14T05:38:22+00:00

    I am not an insider, and now have Version 1705 (Build 8201.2075 Click-to-Run)

    I originally had the problem this thread is based on, and changed the task to run using the SYSTEM account as described by Costas2 under his post listed as Most Helpful Reply. That took care of the problem prior to Microsoft addressing the issue through an update.

    Now, having updated to the build said to include the fix, the task still exists and runs every hour, but runs under the Users account. The pop-up still does not appear.  It appears that the issue is addressed in the patch, as stated. The task is still scheduled to run hourly. They have changed what I did manually, and did so without bringing the problem back. 

    I don't remember what account the task was running under before manually changing it to SYSTEM.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-06-14T16:30:46+00:00

    How do I get the fix?

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-06-14T17:03:56+00:00

    The fix comes with Windows Update automatically (if setup like that)

    Or you can Check for updates on the Office itself.

    1. Just start a office application (eg. Word Excel)
    2. Go to File Menu
    3. Go to Account in the Left Menu
    4. Underneath the Office365 Logo with your version info, you see three buttons, Click Office Updates
    5. Wait

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