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I've noticed that every time I install something, rundll32.exe runs and it takes up 99% of my disk resource, which makes my computer slow. This is the command that is run:

rundll32.exe aeinv.dll,UpdateSoftwareInventory

I have to end it manually from task manager, and everything goes well even though I ended a system process.

Does anyone know what has caused this? How would I disable it?

fixer1234
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Jeremy
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    Rundll does nothing by itself. Without the entire command line, it’s not clear which function in which DLL is called. – Daniel B Aug 14 '16 at 13:08
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    In Task Manager, select the Details tab, right-click on a column header and click Select Columns. Enable Command line checkbox. Now Task Manager should show you the complete command-line parameters for every process. See which DLL is being run by rundll32.exe. – w32sh Aug 14 '16 at 13:08
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    rundll32.exe aeinv.dll,UpdateSoftwareInventory is the command. – Jeremy Aug 14 '16 at 13:43
  • perhaps this can explain (it's windows 8.1, but I assume it would still apply to Windows X) – Jaromanda X Aug 15 '16 at 02:28

2 Answers2

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The aeinv.dll is a dll for application compatibility. The UpdateSoft‌​wareInventory command scans your Windows for the installed applications and sends them as telemetry to Microsoft if you are part of the Customer Experience Improvement Program. Microsoft uses it to see which combination of software is used by people to minimize compatibility issues.

magicandre1981
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    I have Customer Experience Improvement Program participation disabled but am still seeing the reported behavior for ~5 minutes (on average) after an install or upgrade. – apraetor Sep 16 '16 at 15:44
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    @apraetor this task runs even if you disabled the Customer Experience Improvement Program. But here no data are send to MS. You can disalbe this task in taskmgr – magicandre1981 Sep 17 '16 at 06:42
  • Task Manager? Not Task Scheduler? I see 4 tasks in task scheduler, which all say they don't run if CEIP participation is disabled -- but also show they've run in the past 4 days... BthSQM ("error in the DLL"), Consolidator, KernelCeipTask, UsbCeip. Are you referring to the Services tab in Task Scheduler? – apraetor Sep 18 '16 at 16:01
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    @apraetor yeah, task scheduler: http://superuser.com/a/1069212/174557 – magicandre1981 Sep 18 '16 at 17:25
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I had this problem for quite a time as well and didn't know what to do, until I found an answer in another forum and that helped me!

You can disable the "Program Compatibility Assistant Service", as it appears to be this service that summons the aeinv.dll,UpdateSoftwareInventory. If you want to be sure, disable the "Customer Experience Improvement Program" as well. I tested it myself and it worked for me, aeinv.dll is no longer being summoned from the depths of hell to consume my computer resources!

axys93
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