How to Disable AsusBackupWMI Task Scheduler Fix for Armoury Crate

If you opened Task Scheduler and found a task called AsusBackupWMI running in the background you are not alone. This is one of the most searched ASUS-related questions and the answer is straightforward it is a legitimate ASUS component but one that most users do not need running continuously.

This guide explains exactly what AsusBackupWMI is, whether it is safe, and how to disable or remove it permanently depending on your situation.

What Is AsusBackupWMI?

AsusBackupWMI is a Windows scheduled task that Armoury Crate creates automatically during installation. WMI stands for Windows Management Instrumentation — it is a Windows system that allows software to read and manage hardware and system settings.

The task runs in the background on a schedule and at startup. Its purpose is to back up ASUS system configuration data so that if Armoury Crate needs to repair or reinstall itself it can restore your previous settings.

In practice most users never benefit from this backup function. The task runs silently, uses CPU at startup, and shows up in Task Scheduler and sometimes in Task Manager without any explanation of what it is doing. That is why it confuses people.

Is AsusBackupWMI Safe or Is It Malware?

It is safe. AsusBackupWMI is a legitimate component created by ASUS as part of the Armoury Crate installation. It is not a virus, not spyware, and not malware.

If you are unsure about a file on your system the fastest way to verify is to check its location. Right-click the task in Task Scheduler, click Properties, and look at the Action tab. The executable path for a legitimate AsusBackupWMI task will point to a file inside the ASUS program folder typically something like C:\Program Files\ASUS or C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS.

If the path points somewhere unusual like a temp folder, AppData, or a random directory that is not an ASUS folder then run a malware scan. A legitimate AsusBackupWMI task will always be inside an ASUS installation directory.

Why Is AsusBackupWMI Running After I Uninstalled Armoury Crate?

This is the most common complaint about AsusBackupWMI. You uninstalled Armoury Crate through Windows Add and Remove Programs and thought everything was gone but Task Scheduler still shows this task running.

The reason is that a standard Windows uninstall does not always remove every scheduled task Armoury Crate created. The task can survive a normal uninstall and continue running at startup even with Armoury Crate gone.

There are two ways to fix this permanently.

The cleanest fix is to use the official Armoury Crate Uninstall Tool which specifically targets and removes all scheduled tasks including AsusBackupWMI as part of its removal process. If you have not used this tool yet and you want to fully remove all Armoury Crate components this is the right approach. You can download it from the Armoury Crate download page.

If you have already used the uninstall tool or you just want to remove the task manually without reinstalling anything the Task Scheduler method below handles it directly.

How to Disable AsusBackupWMI in Task Scheduler

This is the safest and most straightforward method. Disabling the task stops it from running without deleting it useful if you want to keep Armoury Crate installed but stop the background task from running at startup.

Step 1: Open Task Scheduler

Press Win and R together to open the Run dialog. Type taskschd.msc and press Enter. Task Scheduler opens.

Step 2: Find AsusBackupWMI

In the left panel click Task Scheduler Library. Look through the list of tasks in the main panel for AsusBackupWMI.

If you do not see it immediately look for an ASUS subfolder in the left panel. Click the arrow next to Task Scheduler Library to expand it and check for an ASUS folder. The task may be nested inside it.

Step 3: Disable the task

Right-click AsusBackupWMI and select Disable from the menu. The status column will change from Ready to Disabled.

The task remains in Task Scheduler but will no longer run at startup or on schedule. You can re-enable it at any time by right-clicking and selecting Enable.

How to Delete AsusBackupWMI Completely

If you have uninstalled Armoury Crate and want to remove every trace of it deleting the task is the right choice.

Follow the same steps above to find AsusBackupWMI in Task Scheduler. Right-click it and select Delete. Confirm when prompted.

Deleting AsusBackupWMI is completely safe if you have already uninstalled Armoury Crate or if you are comfortable managing ASUS features manually. The deletion is permanent but if you reinstall Armoury Crate in future the task will be recreated automatically.

How to Disable AsusBackupWMI From Startup Only

If you want to stop AsusBackupWMI from running when Windows starts without going into Task Scheduler you can disable it from Task Manager instead.

Press Ctrl, Shift, and Esc together to open Task Manager. Click the Startup tab at the top. Look for AsusBackupWMI in the list. Right-click it and select Disable.

This prevents it from launching automatically when Windows starts. It does not prevent it from running if triggered by another ASUS process or scheduled event but for most users this is enough to stop it appearing at startup.

What Happens After You Disable AsusBackupWMI?

Nothing noticeable changes in day-to-day use. Armoury Crate continues working normally if it is still installed. Fan control, performance modes, RGB lighting, and all other Armoury Crate features are unaffected by disabling this task.

The only thing that stops is the automatic backup of ASUS system settings. For most users this backup was never needed in the first place. If Armoury Crate needs to reinstall or repair itself it will recreate the task and rebuild the backup from scratch.

If you are trying to stop Armoury Crate from running in the background entirely disabling AsusBackupWMI is one step in that process but there are several other ASUS background services that run independently of this task. For a complete guide to stopping all Armoury Crate background activity see our guide on stopping Armoury Crate from running in the background

AsusBackupWMI Keeps Coming Back How to Stop It

If you disable or delete AsusBackupWMI and it reappears after a restart or after some time Armoury Crate is reinstalling it automatically. This happens in two situations.

The first is that Armoury Crate is still installed and its update or repair mechanism is recreating the task. In this case either fully uninstall Armoury Crate using the official Uninstall Tool or accept that the task will keep returning as long as the software is installed.

The second is that a BIOS setting called Armoury Crate is enabled on your laptop. This BIOS option tells your system to automatically reinstall Armoury Crate and all its components including scheduled tasks. To disable it restart your laptop and enter BIOS by pressing F2 during startup. Look for an option called Armoury Crate or ASUS Armoury Crate in the Advanced or Boot settings and disable it. Save and exit. Armoury Crate and its tasks will no longer reinstall automatically.

Should I Disable AsusBackupWMI?

If any of these apply to you then yes, disabling it is the right choice.

You have fully uninstalled Armoury Crate but the task is still running. You want to reduce the number of ASUS processes running at startup. You are troubleshooting high CPU usage at startup and want to eliminate background tasks one by one. You simply do not need Armoury Crate’s backup function.

If you are actively using Armoury Crate and have no startup or performance issues leaving the task enabled is also fine. It does not cause problems for most users the confusion comes from not knowing what it is, not from any actual harm it causes.

Frequently Asked Questions