# backgroundTaskHost.exe

Windows Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called backgroundtaskhost, background task host

Windows, System Component

Background Task Host. It runs background work registered by Microsoft Store and other packaged apps.

## What you need to know

This runs Store-app background work. taskhostw.exe is the scheduled-task DLL host.

backgroundTaskHost.exe executes background tasks that packaged apps register. Mail sync, tile updates, and VoIP keep-alives use it. It is not Host Process for Windows Tasks.

- **Safe?**: Yes, in System32

  **Why is it waking the PC?**: A packaged app registered a task

  **Same as taskhostw?**: No. This one is for app background tasks

Feex says

If the laptop wakes and this host is the name, I look at which Store app registered the trigger. I do not delete System32\backgroundTaskHost.exe.

## What is backgroundTaskHost.exe?

backgroundTaskHost.exe is the host process for packaged-app background tasks. The app declares a trigger. Windows starts this host, runs the task, then can exit.

## What does it do?

It is a sandbox host, not the app UI. RuntimeBroker.exe brokers capabilities. ApplicationFrameHost.exe draws the window when the app is in the foreground.

## Why is it running?

A trigger fired: timer, push, system event, or user presence. Mail and messaging apps are frequent callers. A host that never exits may be a stuck task.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

The legitimate host is in System32. Background tasks can still be annoying. Annoying is not the same as a fake exe in Temp.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Windows\System32\backgroundTaskHost.exe`

- Expected publisher: Microsoft Corporation
- Inspect the app identity, not only the host name
- Different from taskhostw.exe

## Can I end it?

OK for a stuck task

Ending the host cancels that background run. The app will register again. Use Settings > Apps to stop a package that keeps waking the PC.

## Can I remove it?

No

Do not delete backgroundTaskHost.exe. You would break background work for every packaged app.

## Should it start with Windows?

Triggers start it. Battery settings and Background apps permissions are the supported controls.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: Short spikes per task

  **Memory**: Small per run

  **Disk**: Depends on the app

  **Network**: Common for mail and chat packages

## File information

| Executable name        | backgroundTaskHost.exe                     |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Windows\System32\backgroundTaskHost.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation                      |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows                |

## Common problems

### Laptop wakes every few minutes

Look at Background apps and the last package that ran. The host is the container.

### Confused with Task Scheduler

Classic scheduled exe tasks do not need this host. They use the task image or taskhostw.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### Settings > Apps > the package > battery

Restrict background activity there. Process killers will not un-register the trigger.

### Do not disable the host file

You would break every package at once.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | backgroundTaskHost.exe            |
| ---------- | --------------------------------- |
| Role       | Packaged app background task host |

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[RuntimeBroker.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/runtimebroker.exe)[taskhostw.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/taskhostw.exe)[ApplicationFrameHost.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/applicationframehost.exe)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Microsoft Learn: Background tasks ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/uwp/launch-resume/support-your-app-with-background-tasks)· Packaged app background tasks
- [Microsoft Support: Windows ](https://support.microsoft.com/windows)· Public support naming
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Type**: Windows Process

  **Publisher**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Executable**: backgroundTaskHost.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Windows\System32\backgroundTaskHost.exe

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/process/backgroundtaskhost.exe/)

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