How to Manually Start or Stop "Automatic Maintenance" in Windows 8 and 8.1
Information
Windows depends on execution of inbox and third party maintenance activity for much of its value-add, including Windows Update, and automatic disk defragmentation, as well as antivirus updates and scans. Additionally, enterprises frequently use maintenance activity such as Network Access Protection (NAP) scanning to help enforce security standards on all enterprise workstations.
Maintenance activity in Windows is designed to run in the background with limited user interaction and minimal impact to performance and energy efficiency. However, in Windows 7 and earlier versions, performance and energy efficiency are still impacted due to the non-deterministic and widely varied schedule of the multiple maintenance activities in Windows. Responsiveness to users is reduced when maintenance activity runs while users are actively using the computer. Apps also frequently ask the user to update their software and run background maintenance, and direct users to multiple experiences, including Action Center, Control Panel, Windows Update, Task Scheduler MMC snap-in, and third-party controls.
The goal of Automatic Maintenance is to combine all background maintenance activity in Windows and help third-party developers add their maintenance activity to Windows without negatively impacting performance and energy efficiency. Additionally, Automatic Maintenance enables users as well as enterprises to be in control of maintenance activity scheduling and configuration.
For more information about "Automatic Maintenance", see: Automatic Maintenance (Windows)
By default, Windows 8 automatically runs Automatic Maintenance on a daily schedule that you set when you're not using your computer.
This tutorial will show you how to manually start or stop Automatic Maintenance when you like on demand in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
Maintenance activity in Windows is designed to run in the background with limited user interaction and minimal impact to performance and energy efficiency. However, in Windows 7 and earlier versions, performance and energy efficiency are still impacted due to the non-deterministic and widely varied schedule of the multiple maintenance activities in Windows. Responsiveness to users is reduced when maintenance activity runs while users are actively using the computer. Apps also frequently ask the user to update their software and run background maintenance, and direct users to multiple experiences, including Action Center, Control Panel, Windows Update, Task Scheduler MMC snap-in, and third-party controls.
The goal of Automatic Maintenance is to combine all background maintenance activity in Windows and help third-party developers add their maintenance activity to Windows without negatively impacting performance and energy efficiency. Additionally, Automatic Maintenance enables users as well as enterprises to be in control of maintenance activity scheduling and configuration.
For more information about "Automatic Maintenance", see: Automatic Maintenance (Windows)
By default, Windows 8 automatically runs Automatic Maintenance on a daily schedule that you set when you're not using your computer.
This tutorial will show you how to manually start or stop Automatic Maintenance when you like on demand in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
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
C:\Windows\System32\MSchedExe.exe
CONTENTS:
- Option One: To Turn On or Off Automatic Maintenance in Action Center
- Option Two: To Turn On or Off Automatic Maintenance in Command Prompt
EXAMPLE: Automatice Maintenance running
NOTE: This is what the Action Center system icon looks like when Automatic Mainenance is running in Windows 8.
OPTION ONE
To Turn On or Off Automatic Maintenance in Action Center
1. Do either step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open the Action Center.
2. While on your desktop, click/tap on the Action Center system icon on the taskbar, click/tap on the Open Action Center link, and go to step 4 or 5 below. (see screenshot below)
3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Action Center icon, and 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, click/tap on the Start maintenance link, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
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, click/tap on the Stop maintenance link, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
6. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
7. When finished, you can close the Action Center if you like.
OPTION TWO
To Turn On or Off Automatic Maintenance in Command Prompt
1. Open an elevated command prompt.
2. Do step 3 or step 4 below for what you would like to do.
3. To Start Automatic Maintenance
A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, press Enter, and go to step 5 below.
:ar: MSchedExe.exe Start
4. To Stop Automatic Maintenance
A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, press Enter, and go to step 5 below.
:ar: MSchedExe.exe Stop
5. You can now close the elevated command prompt if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
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