Windows 7 - 'Waiting for background programs to close' Error

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Yatey

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Topic # 56854 26-Jan-2010 12:52

I recently purchased a Brand New HP DV6-2018AX Notebook, pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium.
At least 3/4 of the time, when I try to Shut Down, Restart, or log off, I get a message that there are background programs still running.
The problem is, there are no background programs shown when the message appears.
Here is Screen Shot of my error:

Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Any Help/Suggestions are gladly welcomed. Thanks.

Jordan, Auckland University.
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jaymz

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Reply # 293978 28-Jan-2010 15:44

I have had that a couple of times on my custom built machine at home. It seems to clear itself pretty quickly (5 seconds)

My guess is that there is a service or program that is still closing that windows 7 doesn't know about. Try close each of the programs that are running in the background one at a time before shutting down and try narrow down which one is causing the issue

xpd

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Reply # 293986 28-Jan-2010 15:54

Same here as jaymz... both machines I use with Win7 throw that up occasionally but keeps working a few moments later.

Does it clear itself or do you have to hit the button to continue ?

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chiefie

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Reply # 293989 28-Jan-2010 15:58

That error happens ever since Windows 3.1 days when there's an application stubborn or reluctant or slow in closing itselfs after receiving the "kill process" from OS, so Windows just friendily reminding you that it is shutting down but some stubborn application really takes its time to exit. After few seconds, it will right itself and Windows will then be given the "safe to close down now" signal and all be fine.

Not too big a deal.

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CYaBro

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Reply # 295085 1-Feb-2010 08:32

I get this on my Acer notebook too almost every time I shut it down.
Haven't bothered trying to fix it as it usually only appears for a few seconds then dissappears.

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Kyanar

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Reply # 295570 2-Feb-2010 22:12

Technically, to get Windows 7 certification a program must terminate immediately upon receiving the command from the Restart Manager. Some programs don't. I'd place bets that dialog is there to act as a "name and shame" campaign much like early UAC iterations for programs that don't follow the rules.

On my machine, Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 are the two programs that end up getting named and shamed by that message.

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ariosto

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Reply # 299444 16-Feb-2010 10:56

Interestingly Kyanar, I mostly get this popup when Windows Explorer is still running. Haven't had many non MS applications (except Firefox) give it.

But yes, it's been a "feature" for a few years now. Had it in Vista, have it in Win 7. It's never had any implications for the health of my system as far as I can tell, though I hope it does get sorted with updates eventually.

sittingduckz

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Reply # 305628 9-Mar-2010 10:54

I've seen this say the background program is the shutdown sound. I think it was on vista probably before one of the service packs :-)