What exactly does OfficeClickToRun.exe do?

I repeat:

But can somebody tell me exactly what it does?

Running the latest version with all updates applied.

I would appreciate specific answers please.

Thanks

S

Hi Slls1961,

Based on my research, the officeclicktorun.exe runs as a service named 'Microsoft Office ClickToRun Service' (ClickToRunSvc). It helps manage resource coordination, background streaming, and system integration of Microsoft Office products and their related updates. This service is required to run during the use of any Microsoft Office program, during initial streaming installation and all subsequent updates. If this process consumes a lot of CPU or system resources, you can try the following steps and see if it helps:

1. disable service click-to-run (in services - set disabled)
2. restart computer (click-to-run will be not loaded)
3. open C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\Spw and delete all files
4. open C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache and delete all files
5. enable service click-to-run (set automatic)
6. restart computer

Regards,

Huni

Hi Slls1961,

Please check Huni's reply and feel free to let me know if you have further concerns.

Regards,

Leo

I still have concerns, yes.

I have used Office for decades. Frankly, this "service" and supporting scheduled tasks strikes me as rather invasive.

I am happy to check for updates manually. Once the software is activated, and assuming my updates are delivered when I request them, the only other intrusion I expect is, perhaps, a periodic licence check (I have a 5-device licence) and annual subscription alert. What is the justification for hogging my system resources for minutes on end?

Thanks

S

PS. I don't need to "repair" my installation. I did try that once, and it decided to re-install the entire package.

Hi Slls1961,

Sorry for the delay, I was out of office in the last two days. Since this service also related to other services except update which is mandatory for Office programs to normally run, hence it cannot be disabled or manually modified. Given the situation, you may send us a feedback if you'd like us to improve the pattern how the background programs work with the Office apps. Uservoice website: https://office365.uservoice.com/forums/264636-general Many features of current programs might be designed and upgraded based on customers’ feedback. Your voice is important for us to improve our products.

Besides, this program is only supposed to run with a little RAM space and low CPU usage at background, if it always occupies a lot of system resources on your PC, there could be an issue with the program. To further check it, may I ask:

1)How many system resources does it occupy? Please collect a screenshot of the result from your Task Manager.

2)What is the current version of your Office suite? Open Word> File> Account, it's like Version XXXX (Build XXXX.XXXX).

3)Is it always happening on your PC?

Regards,

Leo