It is simple Doc.
1. Every time you close MC, the cleanup is initiated. If MC isn't actually cleaning up recorded TV program files when you close it, something else is wrong. Rule deleted or no rule matches, sufficient time hasn't passed, the recorded program file has been moved to a new location, MC can't delete the file due to OS restrictions, firewall is interfering, etc.
2. Whenever you start MC, eight hours has to pass before a cleanup is attempted. All other conditions also need to be met before a cleanup will actually run.
3. If MC is left on all the time, it will wait eight hours after the last cleanup before it attempts another one. All other conditions also need to be met before a cleanup will actually run.
The other conditions are no music playing, no tuner in use, etc. that have been mentioned previously. That is, MC must have some "quiet time" to initiate a cleanup.
From previous discussions, my understanding is also that if MC is due to do a cleanup, as eight hours have passed, but it can't due to one of the other conditions not being met, such as a tuner in use, then MC will wait until there is quiet time, and do the cleanup then. For example, if eight hours pass, but a TV channel is playing until ten hours are up, MC will do the cleanup when the TV channel is stopped, and the other criteria are met. This is why I always press the stop button in MC at the end of the day, rather than just turn off the receiver/amplifier, TV, etc. so MC isn't playing something that can't be heard.
Is all the above correct Yaobing? Particularly the comment on moving recorded files? I don't know if that actually stops a cleanup of the program.