A reader reached out recently, frustrated. His backups weren’t running. He uses Windows Task Scheduler to automate them. Suddenly, the tasks stopped working. They were being deactivated. Weird, right?
He’s been using Lindenberg-Backup for years. It’s a solid tool. His setup is simple: Windows 10 on most machines, one with Windows 11. Backups are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Everything ran smoothly—until December 2024.
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The Problem: Tasks Turned Off
On December 5, one external computer threw a wrench in the works. The backup task didn’t run as planned. He checked Task Scheduler. The entry was disabled.
He re-enabled it manually, ran the backup, and it worked—for a while. But after about 30 minutes, the task deactivated itself again. Three tests, same result every time. Frustration mounted.
Troubleshooting Steps
The reader suspected security software might be interfering. He uses Bitdefender but couldn’t find any evidence linking it to the issue. He then asked how to dig deeper:
- Enable Logging in Task Scheduler: This can help track changes to tasks.
- Check Windows Event Viewer: It showed the task was disabled but didn’t explain why or how.
None of this gave him clear answers.
The Culprit: CCleaner
After some digging, he found the problem—CCleaner’s “Performance Optimizer.” This feature was disabling his scheduled tasks without warning. It’s not the first time CCleaner has caused headaches like this.
What Can You Do?
If you’re facing similar issues, here’s how to fix it:
Solution 1: Disable CCleaner’s Performance Optimizer
Open CCleaner, go to settings, and turn off this feature.
Solution 2: Re-enable Disabled Tasks
Open Task Scheduler and manually enable any affected tasks.
Solution 3: Monitor for Recurrence
Check if tasks stay enabled after making these changes.
Solution 4: Consider Alternatives
If CCleaner keeps causing trouble, uninstall it and switch to another optimization tool.
Key Takeaways
- Software like CCleaner can interfere with critical system functions like Task Scheduler.
- Always check third-party tools when troubleshooting unexpected behavior.
- Logging and monitoring tools can help identify root causes.
This story serves as a reminder: convenience tools can sometimes create more problems than they solve.