A blank white window that flashes open right after Windows starts can be confusing. It may appear for only a few seconds, show no useful message, and then close on its own. Because it disappears so quickly, many people assume it is malware, a broken startup app, or a Windows update problem.
In some cases, the cause is much simpler: a scheduled task. If you have already disabled normal startup apps and the window still appears, the issue may be coming from a Google scheduled task rather than something listed in the Startup Apps section of Windows.
One likely source is a task inside the GoogleUserPEH folder in Task Scheduler. Specifically, users have reported that Google’s Platform Experience Helper tasks can trigger a blank popup window during login, unlock, startup, or restart.
Why Startup Apps May Not Show the Cause
Windows has more than one way to launch programs automatically. Many people check Task Manager > Startup apps first, which is a good step. However, not every startup process appears there.
Some programs use Task Scheduler, a built-in Windows tool that runs commands based on triggers such as:
- User login
- System startup
- Daily schedules
- Unlocking the computer
- Background maintenance events
That means a popup can appear at startup even after you disable every visible startup app. If the blank white window is being launched by a scheduled task, it will continue until that task is disabled or corrected.
Likely Cause: GoogleUserPEH Scheduled Tasks
The issue may be related to Google scheduled tasks under a folder named GoogleUserPEH. PEH appears to refer to Google’s Platform Experience Helper, which may be used by Google software installed on the computer.
The task most commonly associated with this blank startup window is:
RunPlatformExperienceHelperOnUnlockAnother task that may cause the same issue is:
RunPlatformExperienceHelper_DailyThese tasks are not usually something most home users or small businesses interact with directly. They are created automatically by Google software. If one of them is misbehaving, it may briefly open a blank window during startup or sign-in.
Fix 1: Disable RunPlatformExperienceHelperOnUnlock
Start with the task that appears to be the most common cause.
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for Task Scheduler.
- Open Task Scheduler.
- In the left sidebar, look for the GoogleUserPEH folder.
- Find the task named RunPlatformExperienceHelperOnUnlock.
- Right-click the task.
- Choose Disable.
- Restart your computer.
After the restart, watch closely during login. If the blank white window no longer appears, this task was likely the cause.
Disabling this task should stop Windows from launching that specific Google helper task when the computer is unlocked. It does not uninstall Google Chrome or other Google applications.
Fix 2: Disable RunPlatformExperienceHelper_Daily
If the blank white window still appears after disabling the first task, check for the daily version of the task.
- Open Task Scheduler again.
- Navigate to:
Task Scheduler Library > GoogleSystem > GoogleUserPEH- Find RunPlatformExperienceHelper_Daily.
- Right-click the task.
- Choose Disable.
- Restart the computer again.
If the popup disappears after this step, the daily Google Platform Experience Helper task was likely responsible.
Be Careful When Disabling Scheduled Tasks
Task Scheduler contains many important Windows and application tasks. Some help with updates, security checks, backups, device maintenance, and software health. Avoid disabling tasks randomly.
For this specific issue, focus only on the Google User PEH tasks mentioned above. If you are unsure whether a task is safe to disable, it is better to ask an IT professional before changing it.
Also, if the blank window comes back after a Google update, check Task Scheduler again. Some software updates may recreate or re-enable scheduled tasks.
What If the Window Still Appears?
If disabling the Google User PEH tasks does not fix the issue, the popup may be caused by another scheduled task, a browser extension helper, a damaged app update, or a login script. In that case, the next step is to review recently installed software, Task Scheduler history, Event Viewer logs, and startup entries with a more detailed troubleshooting process.
For business computers, this is especially important. A mysterious startup window may be harmless, but it can also signal a misconfigured application or unwanted software that needs attention.
Need Help Troubleshooting Windows Startup Issues?
A blank white window on Windows startup is annoying, but it is usually fixable once you find what is launching it. Checking the GoogleUserPEH scheduled tasks is a practical first step, especially when normal startup app settings do not solve the problem.
If you need help tracking down startup issues, cleaning up scheduled tasks, or managing business computers, Illini Tech Services can help. We serve central Illinois and provide practical IT support for homes, small businesses, and local organizations. Contact us at 217-854-6260 or [email protected].