Shutting down background programs on Windows 11 isn’t just for the tech heads — it can actually give your PC a bit more pep and save on battery, especially if you’re on a laptop. If your PC’s feeling slow or apps keep running behind the scenes even when you’re not using them, that’s probably part of the problem. Managing what’s ticking over in the background just involves poking around in the Settings, finding the right spots, and flicking off what you don’t need — fair dinkum, it’s pretty simple once you’ve had a look around.
How to Stop Programs Running in the Background Windows 11
Honestly, most of these background apps are just hanging around, gobbling up your resources, even if you’re not actively using them. Killing them off can make your PC feel much snappier. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Settings
Start by clicking the Start button and then hitting the gear icon or just typing “Settings” into the taskbar search. Once you’re in, you can start sussing out the options that affect your PC’s performance. Because Windows updates love to move things around, if what you see doesn’t match exactly, just look for similar words or sections.
Step 2: Go to Apps
In the Settings menu, select Apps from the sidebar. Sometimes it’s called Installed Apps or just Apps & Features. From there, look for options related to “Background apps” or “Apps running in the background”.
Step 3: Check Out Apps & Features
On the Apps & Features page, you’ll see all the apps you’ve got installed — some you remember installing, some you’ve forgotten. Scroll down and have a good look; some might be sneaking around in the background.
Step 4: Find Background Apps Settings
Often, you’ll spot a dedicated Background Apps toggle somewhere — either right in this list or under Advanced Settings. If you don’t see it right away, don’t worry — I’ll show you another way below. Keep in mind, with Windows 11, different builds sometimes hide things differently. Typical Microsoft, hey?
Method: Using Settings > Privacy & Security > Apps Permissions > Background Apps
Another way: Head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apps Permissions > Background Apps. Here, you’ll see a switch that says Let apps run in the background. Switch it off to stop most apps from running behind your back.
Step 5: Turn Off the Nuisance Apps
Once there, flick off the apps you’re sure you don’t need chipping away in the background. Sometimes you can customise this for each app — turn off or on depending on what you’re after. The idea is to save resources, so disable stuff you don’t really need — like social media apps, weather updates, or things that aren’t urgent.
Heads up: turning off some apps might mean you won’t get notifications from them anymore. So if you’re relying on Messenger or your email, think twice — you might miss out on a few alerts until you open the app again.
On some setups, you might need to restart your PC or sign out and back in for the changes to stick. In other cases, it might take a reboot or even a Windows update. Microsoft loves to keep us on our toes, eh?
Tips for Stopping Background Programs on Windows 11
- Spot the Resource Guzzlers: Before flicking switches, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and see which apps are gobbling CPU or RAM. It helps you figure out what’s worth shutting down.
- Keep The Essentials: Don’t just turn everything off — leave critical apps like your antivirus, messaging, or something you need for work, unless you’re happy missing notifications for a bit.
- Keep Windows Updated: Make sure your Windows is up-to-date, as updates sometimes tweak how background stuff works or give you better controls.
- Power Saver Mode: If you’re on a laptop, switching to Battery Saver mode can automatically limit background activity and push your battery life further — good if you’re running low.
- Check Back Every Now and Then: Windows might turn things back on after an update or if you install new apps, so it’s a good idea to have a peek now and then.
FAQs
How do I tell which apps are running in the background?
Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and check out the Processes tab. Pretty much everything running will show up there, so you can suss out what’s using resources and decide what to close.
Will stopping background apps mean I miss notifications?
Kinda. If you turn off an app’s background activity, you probably won’t get notifications unless you open the app itself. So if notifications are important for your work or social life, think twice before shutting everything down.
Is it safe to turn off all background apps?
Not quite. Some apps are important — like your antivirus or system services. Stick to disabling ones you’re sure aren’t essential, like those game launchers or social media apps you rarely use.
Could this mess up my PC?
Less likely. If you’re careful about what you disable, your system should be fine. Mainly, it just frees up resources and keeps those sneaky apps from hogging all your CPU or RAM.
Will this affect my security?
Maybe. Some security apps might stop updating or running automatically if you disable them in the background. Just check manually for updates now and then, especially for your antivirus or security tools.
In a Nutshell
- Open Settings
- Head to Apps
- Click on Apps & Features
- Find Background Apps options
- Switch off what’s not needed
Wrap-Up
Hope this helps someone save a bit of hassle or at least makes their PC run a bit better. Fingers crossed!