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Disable System Mechanic Background Processes

Background processes are necessary for System Mechanic to properly optimize and protect your PC, as well as for keeping your product up to date.

To properly disable running tasks, it is highly recommended that they be disabled from within the main product Settings in System Mechanic.

Alternatively, System Mechanic tasks can be disabled in Windows Tasks Scheduler. However, when they are disabled within the product Settings of System Mechanic, the tasks will automatically disable and remove themselves from the Windows Task Scheduler.

Disable Background Processes from System Mechanic Settings

To disable background process, start System Mechanic and click on the Settings cogwheel at the lower left or ? and then Settings at the upper right.

Look for General Settings.

Expand General Settings and scroll down to Scheduled Task options. 

Uncheck the box labeled Automatically check for iolo software updates, and then check the box labeled Turn off all scheduled task notifications.

Under Update configuration, uncheck box labeled Automatically download virus and spyware definition updates. Although this can be disabled, we do not recommend it since this task is what keeps your antivirus and antimalware definitions up to date.

Next, uncheck the box labeled Show tips under Hints and tips

Continue scrolling down to Desktop messaging and uncheck the box labeled Periodically display informational desktop messages.

ActiveCare Settings

Scroll down and expand ActiveCare.

ActiveCare works silently in the background – only when your PC is on but not in use – and it only processes actions when they’re needed. If you return to your computer during ActiveCare processing, you can either cancel the process or let it continue.

The actions performed by ActiveCare are:

  • On-Demand Boost
  • Clean out and repair registry problems
  • Eliminate unnecessary or dangerous startup programs
  • Defragment system drive
  • Clean out internet junk files
  • Clean out Windows junk files

To stop ActiveCare from periodically running, set the Frequency drop-down box to Never.

Because ActiveCare monitors these key indicators of PC performance and then automatically runs the repairs your computer needs, we do not recommend disabling ActiveCare. If you feel it is running too frequently, you can set it to run from every several hours and up to once a month.

Privacy Guardian Settings

Scroll down and expand the Privacy Guardian settings.

Under General Settings, uncheck Enable Windows Notification Center alerts.  By unchecking this setting, Privacy Guardian activity notifications will no longer be displayed to your Windows Notification Center.

Disable Background Processes from Windows Task Manager

To re-emphasize, System Mechanic tasks can be disabled in Windows Tasks Scheduler. However, when they are disabled within the product Settings of System Mechanic, the tasks will automatically disable and remove themselves from the Windows Task Scheduler.

To further note, if any iolo tasks are deleted from the Windows Task Manager, to replace them, the entire product will need to be uninstalled and re-installed.

To disable iolo tasks in the Windows Task Manager, navigate to the Windows Search field, type in Task Scheduler, and click on it in the Windows Start Manager results.

When the Windows Task Scheduler opens, on the left navigate to the iolo task folder.

All tasks associated with iolo products will be in this task location where each can be reviewed, disabled or re-enabled.

To disable a task, highlight the task item that you want to disable and on the right select Disable.

The status of the task item will change from Ready to Disabled. To re-enable a task, simply highlight the item and on the right select Enable.

What is iolo's Whole Home License?

The Whole Home License® is iolo’s licensing policy that allows you to install and keep your software running on all of your compatible devices within the same home. Previously, users were allowed to install and license their iolo software simultaneously on a maximum of three PCs. Under the Whole Home License, a single activation key allows you to use your iolo software on all of your PCs, other than any PCs you use for business purposes. What you need to know about Whole Home Licensing

  • You, your spouse, and your relatives living within the same household may use the same license on any number of PCs that you own which are not used for business.
  • For full legal terms and conditions, see https://www.iolo.com/company/legal/eula/

To install your iolo product on additional PCs:

  1. On the additional computer, download the latest version of your iolo product. Choose from the list of downloads offered here.
  2. Follow the steps in the installation wizard, and enter the same Activation Key that you used to install on your original computer.

You can view the Activation Key on the original computer from within System Mechanic > red menu bar > key icon > Activation Key.