How to Manually Start or Stop "Automatic Maintenance" in Windows 8

   Information

By default, Windows 8 automatically runs Automatic Maintenance on a daily schedule that you set when you're not using your computer.

This will show you how to manually start or stop Automatic Maintenance when you like on demand.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Note

The exe file for Automatic Maintenance is at this location below:

C:\Windows\System32\MSchedExe.exe

EXAMPLE: Automatice Maintenance running
NOTE: This is what the Action Center system icon looks like when Automatic Mainenance is running in Windows 8.

Here's How:

1. Do either step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open the Action Center.

2. From the desktop, click on the Action Center system icon on the taskbar, and click on the Open Action Center link. (see screenshot below)

A) Go to step 4 or 5 below.

3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Action Center icon.

A) Go to step 4 or 5 below.

4. To Manually Start "Automatic Maintenance"
NOTE: It's recommended to only start Automatic Maintenance when you are not using the computer since performance could be negatively impacted while running.

A) In Action Center, expand Maintenance, and click on the Start maintenance link. (see screenshot below)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Manually Stop "Automatic Maintenance"
NOTE: You will only be able to stop Automatic Maintenance if it is already running.

A) In Action Center, expand Maintenance, and click on the Stop maintenance link. (see screenshot below)

B) Continue on to step 6.

6. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.


7. When finished, you can close the Action Center.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

• How to Change the "Automatic Maintenance" Settings in Windows 8
• How to Turn Automatic Updating On or Off in Windows 8