Turning off background apps in Windows 11 is one of those tweaks that can surprisingly make a real difference. Whether you’re noticing sluggishness, trying to extend your laptop’s battery life, or just want to keep data usage minimized, managing what runs in the background is a good step. Sometimes, these little apps won’t bother you much, but other times, they hog CPU and RAM for no good reason. And because of course Windows has to make it more complicated than necessary, there are a few ways to handle it. This guide walks through what worked on a couple of setups—sometimes it’s a quick fix, and other times you need a little deep dive.
How to Turn Off Background Apps in Windows 11
How to Stop Background Apps on Windows 11 for Better Performance
By fiddling with a few settings, you can keep your PC snappier, especially if you’re running multiple apps or using a device with younger hardware. Turning off these apps also helps conserve battery life on laptops—and, let’s be honest, it’s good to limit unnecessary data in some cases. After finishing up, you should see some system resources freed up, and apps won’t be constantly polling for notifications or updates if you don’t want them to.
Open Settings — Find Your Way in Windows 11
- Click on the Start menu. That little Windows icon at the bottom left. From there, select the Settings gear icon.
- If your Settings menu is a little cluttered, just type Settings into the search bar next to the Start button. It’s faster that way.
This opens the main configuration hub for Windows 11 where lots of things can get tweaked, including background app controls.
Navigate to Apps — Dive Into App Management
- In Settings, look at the sidebar and click on Apps.
- This is where you see installed applications, their permissions, and options to control background behavior.
Select Apps & Features — Find the Apps You Want to Tweak
- Click on Apps & Features. You get a list of everything installed, from games to productivity tools.
- Noticed some app that’s consistently running and not needed in the background? Now’s the time to fix it.
Choose a Specific App — Manage Its Background Permissions
- Find the app in the list, then click the three-dot icon or the arrow to open its options.
- Click Advanced Options. Sometimes, you might need to scroll down a bit if the app’s details are lengthy.
Adjust the App’s Background Permissions — Make It Work for You
- Scroll down to the Background Apps Permissions section. On some apps, it shows as Let this app run in the background toggle.
- Change it from Allow to Never. On some apps, you’ll see a dropdown menu. Pick Never.
Why this helps? This stops the app from waking up and using your CPU or network when you’re not actively using it. It’s kind of a lazy but effective way to cut down background activity, which can boost performance and battery life. Sometimes, on certain apps, the change isn’t immediate, or you need to reboot for it to fully take effect. On some trims, it’s just a toggle, on others, you might need to use Group Policy or Registry edits—mostly overkill unless you’re trying to lock it down hard.
Pro tip: Not all apps are created equal. Some (like antivirus or communication tools) should probably be allowed to run, or you might miss critical updates or notifications. Use your judgment.
Additional Tips to Turn Off Background Apps in Windows 11
- Check App Necessity: Ask yourself if the app needs to run in the background for updates or alerts. If not, trim it down.
- Monitor Battery & Data: If battery life or data consumption are issues, keep background apps minimal.
- Control via the Quick Settings: Some apps can also be toggled directly from the Quick Settings menu (click the network, sound, or battery icons and look for app-related toggles).
- Use Task Manager: For a more granular view of what’s running, hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and choose Task Manager. You can disable background processes from there, but be careful—it’s not always clear what’s safe to end.
- Stay Updated: Windows updates often include new options or improvements on managing background activity, so keep Windows patched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I turn off background apps?
Because they consume system resources, drain battery, and sometimes cause slowdown issues if too many are running. Cutting back on them can make your PC more responsive and last longer on a charge.
Can I stop all apps from running in the background?
Not recommended, especially on Windows. Essential system apps and security tools need to stay active. But on the other hand, a good handful—like apps for social media, news feeds, or cloud sync—can usually be safely disabled.
Will turning off background apps break notifications?
Yeah, if an app isn’t allowed to run in the background, it might not push notifications or updates. So it’s a trade-off—less resource use, but possibly less real-time info.
How can I see what apps are running in the background?
Check via Task Manager—hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the Processes tab, and look for apps or background processes hogging CPU or memory.
Will turning off background apps help gaming?
Definitely. Closing unnecessary background apps frees up resources, which in some cases can smooth out frame rates or reduce lag. So it’s worth a shot if you’re trying to squeeze out every bit of juice from your setup.
Summary
- Open Settings > Apps > Apps & Features
- Select an app, go to Advanced Options
- Change background permission to Never
- Monitor performance and adjust as needed
Wrap-up
Managing background apps isn’t a guaranteed speed boost, but it’s a pretty straightforward way to make your Windows 11 device run a little smoother, especially if it’s feeling sluggish or battery life is tanking. Sometimes, the tiniest change in what’s allowed to run quietly in the background makes a big difference. Not sure why it works, but on more than one machine, it’s helped keep things lean and mean. Just don’t go overboard—some apps are vital for security or functionality—and keep an eye on which ones you’re turning off. Fingers crossed, this helps make your PC a little less busy.