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What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

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  • 6 min read

Computer manufacturers use hundreds if not thousands of small parts to assemble their machines. Said parts come from different manufacturers and need different drivers and/or firmware for them to be able to interact with the final machine’s operating system.

The Elara app is one such driver which is used to control components associated with touchpads. You’ll mostly see it in laptops, and in most cases, it’ll come preinstalled with your OS. The app controls touchpad functionality and is installed alongside the touchpad’s driver. 

However, for some users, the app has also caused issues, especially regarding them not being able to shut down their systems. 

Also read: How to install and use Zsh in Windows 10?


Why does Elara stop Windows from shutting down?

When Windows is shutting down, the OS closes all processes currently running. However, if a system-specific or special process is still running, it can put the shutdown process on hold until the process itself shuts down properly. 

If a process is deemed sensitive enough by the OS, it can cancel the shutdown and report the user. 

Now you can try and get rid of Elara completely from your system if you want. Most users have reported no loss of functionality whatsoever after removing the app. However, results might differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. 

We’re going over a few fixes below to help you resolve the issue. 

Also read: How to map and access Webdav drive in Windows 10?


Temporarily ending the Elara process

You can use the Task Manager to end the Elara App’s process temporarily. Do keep in mind that the app will restart the next time you boot your system. 

Step 1: Right click the taskbar and click on Task Manager.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 2: Under the Details tab, find the ApntEX.exe process and click on End Task.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

This will shut down the Elara process and let you shut down your PC without any issues. 

Also read: How to fix error 0x80070718 in Windows?


Check for Touchpad driver issues

Touchpad drivers can also cause issues with the Elara app, which in turn can cause issues with your system not shutting down. 

Step 1: Press Windows Key + X to open the Quick Access menu and click on Device Manager.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 2: Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section, right-click on your driver and click Update driver.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 3: Select Search automatically for driversin the update wizard.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Windows will now find updated drivers for the touchpad and download them. Now restart your PC, and the error should’ve been resolved. 


Check for Windows update

At times, Windows updates can fix numerous issues with your machine. You should check to see if an available update can solve your problem. 

Step 1: Press Windows key + I to get to Windows settings. Click on Update & Security.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 2: Install any updates if available and restart your PC.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Also read: How to Record Macros in Windows 10?


Create a new registry key

You can enable automatic closing of processes overwriting WIndows’ rules by making a registry key. Here’s how.

Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run prompt. Type regedit and press enter. 

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 3: Right click on the empty space on the right side. Click New >> DWORD (32-bit) Value.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 4: Name the new key AutoEndTasks and set its value to 1.

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Click OK to save changes and close the Registry Editor. 

Also read: How to fix the ‘Network Discovery is Turned Off’ error in Windows 10?


Removing Elara from your system

Another rather permanent fix is to remove the Elara app from your machine. Here’s how. 

Step 1: Press Windows Key + X to open the Quick Access menu and click on Apps and Features

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 2: Search for the Elara app in the list and click the Uninstall button to remove it from your system. 

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Also read: What does Lock the Taskbar mean on Windows 10?


Restore your system

If nothing else works, you’re going to have to restore your system to a point in time where everything was fine. It’s a bit of an inconvenience, but it’ll fix most if not all issues you’re facing with your PC.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Reset this PC. Launch the Recovery setting from the search results. 

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 2: Click on Open System Restore. 

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Step 3: Select the recommended restore point and click the Next button to proceed. 

What is Elara app? What it does and should you remove the app?

Also read: How to automatically delete files from recycle bin in Windows 10?

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah is a Computer Science graduate who writes/edits/shoots/codes all things cybersecurity, gaming, and tech hardware. When he's not, he streams himself racing virtual cars. He's been writing and reporting on tech and cybersecurity with websites like Candid.Technology and MakeUseOf since 2018. You can contact him here: yadullahabidi@pm.me.

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