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
    2017-06-01T16:35:42+00:00

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-18T21:38:20+00:00

    See much earlier in the thread for what solved it a long time ago:

    "Set OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistrationto run under the "System" account and the hourly popups are now hidden. (Select the task, right click, Properties, click on 'Change User Or Group', type 'System', OK twice and voila.)"

    Alternatively, don't change the account that it runs under and merely change the Trigger for it to "At log on of any user."

    Don't bother with the other task since it's not the problem.

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  3. 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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  4. Anonymous
    2017-04-18T16:15:32+00:00

    It isn't for me, I have Office 365 personal and it started happening since the last update, around.. a week ago.

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