How to stop the Office Background Task Handler process for good

April 2023 · 3 minute read
Office Background Task Handler process

XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE

To fix various PC problems, we recommend DriverFix:
This software will keep your drivers up and running, thus keeping you safe from common computer errors and hardware failure. Check all your drivers now in 3 easy steps:
  • Download DriverFix (verified download file).
  • Click Start Scan to find all problematic drivers.
  • Click Update Drivers to get new versions and avoid system malfunctionings.
  • Recently, Office users have reported a strange blank pop-up that appears and closes after a few seconds. While the pop-up itself is not harmful in any way, it can be annoying. The pop-up window is caused by a background executable program called Office Background Task Handler and shows the following location as the file path:

    “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\officebackgroundtaskhandler.exe”

    If you are annoyed with this pop-up window as well, here are a couple of solutions to stop OfficeBackgroundTaskHandler.exe pop on Windows.

    How to prevent office background task handler exe pop-ups

    1. Update Microsoft Office

  • Open any Office application like the Word or PowerPoint.
  • Click on File and select Account.
  • Under Office Update, check if the automatic update is enabled or not.
  • If automatic update is disabled, click on Update Options and select “Enable Updates”.Enable Office Updates
  • When User Account Control prompt is displayed, click Yes.
    Office Update Now
  • Again, click on Update Options and select “Update now”.
  • Microsoft Office will automatically download and install any pending update.
  • Restart the PC and check for any improvements.
  • 2. Run office Background Task Handler as Administrator

  • Open File Explorer and navigate to the following directory.
    C:-> Program Files (x86) -> Microsoft Office -> root
  • Double-click on Office16 folder to open it.
    Right-click Office background task handler exe properties
  • Right-click on officebackgroundtaskhandler.exe and select Properties.
  • In the Properties window, click on the Compatibility tab.
    Compatability Run as admin Office Background Task
  • Check the “Run this program as an administrator” option.
  • Click on Apply and OK to save the changes.
  • Close the File Explorer and check for any improvements.
  • Most users have no idea how to properly uninstall Microsoft Office from their PCs. Learn more about it now.

    3. Disable Office Background Task Handler from Task Scheduler

  • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialogue box.
  • Type taskschd.msc and hit enter. This will open the Task Scheduler.
  • Click on Task Scheduler Local.
  • Expand the Task Scheduler Library by clicking on the > icon.
  • Select the Microsoft folder and expand it.
  • Click on Office folder and look for OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration.
    disable officebackgroundtaskhandleregistration task scheduler
  • Right-click OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration task and select Disable.
  • This should disable the task handler and you should stop seeing the pop-up while using your PC.
  • The pop-up may return if you download an update for Office which may re-trigger the task.
  • Repeat the steps to disable the task again.
  • 4. Change User or Group for Office Background Task Handler

  • Open Task Scheduler by pressing Windows Key + R, type taskschd.msc and hit enter.
  • In the Task scheduler, expand Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Office.
    officebackgroundtaskhandleregistration task schedule propertiesr
  • In the right-pane, right-click on OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration and select Properties.
  • From the new window, click on “Change User or Group”
    Select User or Group System Task Scheduler
  • In the Select User or Group window, type System and click on check names.
  • If found, click on OK.
  • That’s it. Close the Task Scheduler window and that should resolve the annoying pop-up.

    5. Disable Windows Office Telemetry

  • Download DWS_Lite from the Github, here. Scroll down and download the .exe file from the Assets 3 section.
  • Close any office applications if running.DWS Telemetry Download
  • Double-click on DWS_Lite-.exe file to run it.
  • Go to Settings and check the “Enable professional mode” option at the bottom.
  • Next, go to the Utility tab.
  • Under the Utility tab, click on Disable Office 2016 Telemetry button.
  • When the warning dialogue box appears, click on Yes.
  • Restart your PC and check for any improvements.
  • RELATED STORIES YOU MAY LIKE:

    ncG1vNJzZmivmaOxsMPSq5ypp6Kpe6S7zGimn56ZmLJursCcoqCqn6q7pXnTmqqkZZiWu6W4xKtknrCVZA%3D%3D