Putting apps to sleep in Windows 11 is a handy little trick — not just to save the ol’ battery, but also to stop your PC from choking on background stuff it doesn’t really need. Sometimes, it can be a bit finicky, and not everything stays asleep like it should, but these steps usually get you closer to that sweet idle spot where apps just hang out.
How to Put Apps to Sleep in Windows 11
Basically, Windows tries to handle background apps itself, but if you want to keep a closer eye on things, here’s what works. The idea is to tell Windows “hey, don’t bother with this app when I’m not using it,” which frees up resources and gives your PC a bit of a breather.
Step 1: Open Settings
This should be a breeze — click on the Start menu, then hit Settings. Or, for a quicker go, just press Windows + I.
Step 2: Go to System
In the Settings window, click on System. It’s usually right at the top of the sidebar on the left. You’ll find plenty of performance stuff here.
Step 3: Select Battery & Power (or Power & Battery)
Scroll down a bit and click on Battery & power (or sometimes called Power & battery depending on updates). This is all about how Windows uses energy — dead handy if you want to put apps to sleep.
Step 4: Find Battery Usage
Next, look for Battery usage. Not always obvious, but that’s where Windows shows what’s draining your battery. Click on it.
On some machines, this section can be a bit flaky at first, and you might need to reboot or update Windows to see the changes properly. If apps won’t seem to update there, a quick restart often fixes it.
Step 5: Manage Background Apps
Now, find the app(s) you want to put to sleep. Click on an app and select Manage background activity. You’ll see options like Let Windows decide or Always allow. Set it to Never let it run in the background or flip the switch off — whatever suits you best.
Basically, this stops Windows from automatically allowing that app to run in the background, which helps save CPU, RAM, and battery — especially good on laptops.
Once you do this, Windows should start respecting your wishes and leave those apps dormant when you’re not using them. It’s not perfect — sometimes, an app might still wake up here and there — but it’s a fair go.
Tips for Putting Apps to Sleep in Windows 11
- Only snooze the essentials: Don’t turn off apps you actually rely on — no point shutting Outlook if you need it for work.
- Keep an eye on battery drainers: Sometimes, a sneaky app is the culprit behind battery suckage.
- Use Focus Assist: It’s a handy sidekick. Muffle notifications while your apps are sleeping so you don’t get disturbed.
- Update your apps: New versions tend to handle background activity better, so keep them all current.
- Set power modes to efficiency: Jump into System > Power & Battery > Power Mode and pick Best power efficiency. That’ll give Windows a kick to sleep apps quicker and cut back on activity.
FAQs — Common questions
Can I manually put an app to sleep?
Not exactly. Windows 11 doesn’t have a button that says “put this app to sleep now.” It relies on those automatic background controls and your settings, so it’s a bit of an unwritten rule. You can switch off background activity per app, but no direct sleep command.
Will putting apps to sleep save battery?
Yeah, beaut! Less background activity = less power drain. Especially on laptops and tablets, it helps stretch your battery life a fair bit.
Any downsides?
Sometimes, if you turn an app off too hard, it might delay notifications or updates. For example, if you disable background for Outlook, you might not get emails until you open the app again. It’s a tradeoff — depends how much you care about instant updates.
How can I tell if an app’s asleep?
No straightforward way — Windows doesn’t say “this app is sleeping.” You’ll need to check battery stats or notice if an app feels unresponsive or laggy during idle times. Sometimes, sleeping apps just don’t wake up properly until you interact with them again.
Can I wake an app from sleep?
Sure can. Just click and start using the app, and Windows will wake it up automatically. No fuss, no buttons needed. Bit odd, but that’s how it rolls.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Go to System.
- Select Battery & Power.
- Check Battery Usage.
- Manage background activity for your apps.
Hopefully, this’ll shave a few hours off your battery life. Windows can be a bit weird about getting apps to sleep properly, but with a bit of tinkering, it’s doable.