What is the Elara App, and why does it prevent Windows from shutting down?

Sometimes, your computer may start running slow or encounter issues when shutting down, which can be quite frustrating and disruptive to your daily activities. If you’re troubleshooting problems on your PC, one useful tool to check is the ‘Task Manager.’ It’s common to come across the.exe file named ApntEX.exe while investigating what’s causing your Windows system not to shut down properly.

What is Elara Software? Why is it affecting your computer’s shutdown process? Why are many Windows users receiving a notification preventing their system from shutting down? If you need help to resolve this issue, fret not! This article aims to assist you in solving it!

We will guide you through everything you need to understand about the Elara App and its impact on preventing your Windows Desktop from shutting down. Additionally, we’ll provide steps to uninstall the app and restore functionality so that you can resume working without any disruptions.

The Elara app typically comes pre-installed on laptop brands. However, numerous users have recently encountered problems with this application. Users have mentioned that when they attempt to turn off their computers, a message saying “Elara App is preventing Windows from shutting down” appears. Others have encountered a message stating, “ApntEX.exe running in the background”. What could be the problem with this application?

On the side, some laptop users claim they have never installed this app yet and have encountered the same message. Is this app causing your laptop to have trouble shutting down?

What Is Elara On My Computer?

The Elara app, developed by Microsoft, is software designed to assist users in managing their computer resources. This app allows you to monitor your memory usage, available disk space, and power consumption. It also provides insights into the programs running on your computer. It helps optimize CPU and RAM usage to prevent system crashes or performance issues. 

The Elara app has been available since the release of Windows Vista in 2007, with interface enhancements introduced in Windows 10. These updates include features such as monitor support, automatic brightness adjustment based on ambient lighting conditions, and easy access to the Start menu. Furthermore, the app now displays battery life status, network connection details, and Fi signal strength for user convenience.

The Elara Application usually comes pre-installed on a laptop when you make the purchase. This application handles components associated with the touchpad of your laptop. Many of these components are typically produced by manufacturers rather than the main laptop brand. The application is in charge of managing the functions of the touchpad to enhance its ease of use and user-friendliness. You can usually find the application installed in the “Program Files” directory within the “Touchpad Driver.” 

It can also be located in the Task Manager under the name “ApntEX.exe.” You can access the application at this file path for users with DELL laptops. 

“C: \Program Files\DellTpad”

For HP laptop users, you can locate the Elara app within Task Manager using this path;

“C: \Program Files\Alps\Glide Point”

Why does the Elara application prevent Windows from shutting down?

The app may be causing conflicts with the Windows operating system, as it typically runs continuously in the background.

When you attempt to shut down your laptop, the OS usually closes all apps and windows to facilitate a shutdown. However, if the app running in the background cannot be turned off, this may interfere with this process.

Is it possible to turn off the Elara app?

Disabling the app is not recommended as doing so could lead to issues with the touchpad functionality. Many users have asked about disabling the app to ensure their laptops shut down safely. This has resulted in touchpad malfunctions. Some users have tried re-enabling the touchpad using the “Fn” keys. This action has caused certain functions of the touchpad to stop working. This can have an impact on user experience.

How to Fix the Elara App Problem?

Since disabling the app is not an option, you must explore solutions to resolve the “Elara App is preventing Windows from shutting down.”

Here are five recommended methods you can use:

1. Temporarily Turn Off Elara App Using Task Manager

The effective approach is to disable the app through Task Manager. However, be prepared for the loss of touchpad functionalities after this action. It’s advisable to have a mouse handy as a backup.

Follow these steps to disable the app temporarily:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch Task Manager.

• Locate the app in the list (usually appearing sixth from the left below the file menu) and wait for it to open.
• Once in Task Manager, find and select the exe file and then click on End Task.

The app should now be temporarily disabled. You can now attempt to shut down your laptop.

2. Check for Touchpad Driver Updates

Make sure to check for any updates on your touchpad driver. If your laptop is having trouble shutting down because of the Elara App, it might be due to a touchpad driver conflicting with Windows OS.

To resolve this issue, the first step is to see if there are any updates for the Touchpad Driver. If an update is found, simply install it, which should fix the problem in cases.

For Windows 10 users, follow these steps to update your touchpad driver:

1. Press the Windows and R keys to open the Run command box.
2. Type “devmgmt.msc” in the command box. Hit Enter.
3. Click OK to launch Device Manager.

Allow some time for Device Manager to load.

• In Device Manager, expand the Mice and other pointing devices section by clicking on it.

• Right click on Compliant Mouse. Choose “Update Driver.”

• Select “Search automatically for drivers” from the options that appear.
• Wait for the search process to finish. If an update is detected, click on it.
• Wait for the installation process to complete.

Ensure you follow these instructions carefully to keep your touchpad driver up to date and prevent any conflicts with your system operation.

3. Remove The Elara App From The System

To remove the Elara software from your system, you can try uninstalling it if nothing else works. However, be aware that doing so might cause issues with your touchpad functionality. It’s an idea to have a wired mouse on hand as a backup once you’ve removed the app.

• Start by opening the Control Panel from the Start menu.
• Then, navigate to Programs in the window.
• Within this section, select Uninstall a Program.
• Look for the Elara App in the list that appears in the window.
• Proceed to uninstall the Elara program and click OK to complete the process.

4. Remove The App From Chrome Browser

To resolve the problem of your laptop not shutting down properly, you can follow these steps to uninstall the app extension from your Google Chrome browser:

1. Begin by launching the Google Chrome Browser on your device.
2. Then access the settings menu by clicking on the Three dot icon in the corner.
3. Navigate to ” Tools”. Select “Extensions” from the dropdown menu.
4. Locate the app extension with the Elara logo. Click on it.
5. Finally, choose the option “Remove from Chrome” to uninstall the extension.

After completing these steps, close your browser. Attempt to shut down your laptop to see if the issue has been resolved.

5. Fixing Windows Registry

If your laptop keeps showing the message “Elara App is preventing Windows from shutting down,” you can try using the Registry fix method whenever you attempt to shut it down. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run command.
2. Enter “Regedit” in the box. Press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
3. Locate the file “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop” in the panel of the window.
4. Right-click on any area within the window.
5. From the drop-down menu that appears, select Auto End Tasks.
6. Set the value to 1 in the designated box.
7. Finally, click OK. Close the window.

6. Restore Your System

If you’ve exhausted all options without success, consider rebooting the operating system to start fresh and fix any glitches or problems within the OS. Just a heads up, Windows might prompt you for the administrator’s password during the process, so make sure you have that handy before you begin.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Start by opening the Start menu.
• Next, search for System Restore in the search bar.
• Click on the option that appears and wait for a new window to pop up on your screen.

• In the window, select System. Expand it.
• Then click on System Restore.

Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Final Thoughts

The Elara program is crucial for the functioning of your laptop’s touchpad. It is typically included as a default installation. However, there are instances where this app may lead to Windows shutdowns.

Given the importance of the Elara software in supporting the touchpad, disabling it entirely may not be feasible. Thus, exploring solutions to address any shutdown issues is recommended. Feel free to explore the suggested methods provided here to identify a resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions