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
    2017-05-31T09:56:11+00:00

    That's all well worth knowing for next time...

    Many thanks...

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-31T09:45:41+00:00

    Please tell me how you tracked this down?  It's been driving me crazy! A quick popup which is just slow enough to be visible and highly irritating with no easy way to track down the origin...  I can manually adjust the schedule I guess but it missed the usability testing phase!

    Thanks...

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-05-31T08:31:20+00:00

    It actually does nothing, that's why it is safe to disable it. Unfortunately an empty task was created by mistake.

    -Greg

    Disabling OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerLogon is fine as well?  That Task triggers the same empty Command Prompt after 10 minutes of idle time (default).

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-05-31T05:56:47+00:00

    Hello Greg

    so i can completely disable the officebackgroundtaskhandlerregistration without fear of it disrupting my office or laptop?  I currenly have the trigger edited not to run on the hour anymore and hoped that would solve the problem.  However if i can just disable it, for me that is a better solution.  It has been very disturbing for about a week now.

    thanks for any reply you may give.

    Michael

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