How to Turn Off Background Apps in Windows 11

Turning off background apps in Windows 11 can help speed up your system, save battery life, and reduce unnecessary data usage.

You can do this through Settings or Group Policy, depending on what version of Windows you’re using. Follow the steps below to disable background apps within minutes.

How do I stop apps from running in the background Windows 11?

1. Use the Apps settings

Unwanted apps can be easily prevented from running in the background on your device through the Apps Settings. In the apps list, you will be able to view and configure settings for all the apps that have permission to run in the background.

1. 1. Hit the Windows key, then open the Settings menu.

   

2. 2. Click on Apps, then on Apps & features.

   

3. 3. Search for the app you want to disable.

4. 4. Click on the three horizontal dots next to the app, and select Advanced options.

   

5. 5. Navigate to the Backgrouns apps permissions section.

6. 6. Under Let this app run in the background, choose the Never option.

   

7. 7. Repeat the same steps for each background app you need to disable.

If you want to disable all background apps in Windows 11, it can be done on your device through the Apps Settings. In the apps list, you will be able to view and configure settings for all the apps that have permission to run in the background.

Note that some apps are important to keep, like the weather app, to get timely info or the Alarms & Clock app, which helps you to receive important event reminders, and others.

2. Try the help of Battery Settings

1. Press simultaneously on Windows + I to open the Settings menu, go to System, then click on Power & battery.
2. Click on the Battery usage section.
3. Under the Battery usage per app section, search for the needed background app, click on the ellipsis next to it, and then select Manage background activity.
4. You’ll be redirected to the Apps & features page. There, under the Background apps permissions section, choose again the Never option.

Keep in mind that this option will work only if your PC has a battery. For example, it wouldn’t be available if you’re running Windows 11 on a VM machine.

3. Navigate to Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del to open the Task Manager, and then go to the Startup tab.
2. Search for the app you want to turn off, click on it, then press the Disable button.

With Task Manager, you can disable only traditional desktop programs from running in the background. You can also improve system performance by closing active programs, and this guide on how to close running apps helps you clear processes that stay active on Windows 11.

4. Use Local Group Policy Editor

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run command, type gpedit.msc, then click on OK.
2. Expand the Computer Configuration section, then the Administrative Templates section.
3. Open the Windows Components section.
4. There, click on App Privacy, then look at the right window side and double-click on Let Windows apps run in the background.
5. Checkmark the Disabled option.
6. Click on Apply, then on OK.

This option will only be successful if you’re signed in as an administrator. You can easily disable background apps in Windows 11 using Registry and helps programs use the computer’s resources.

5. Disable background apps in Windows 11 via Registry

1. Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Press Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following key then check if you have AppPrivacy under Windows. If not, you’ll have to create one: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
3. Right-click on Windows then choose New followed by Key and name it AppPrivacy.
4. Next, right-click the AppPrivacy key then choose New followed by DWORD and name it LetAppsRunInBackground.
5. Right-click the LetAppsRunInBackground value and select Modify. Set the Value data to 2 then save the changes made and reboot your PC.

How do I enable background Apps?

If you suddenly change your mind and want to bring back your background apps in Windows 11, note that you can do it with ease. To perform this action, the Settings menu or Registry Editor would also be essential supports.

For those times when you want to turn them on, you should check out these accessible methods to make Windows 11 faster and more responsive.

How do I see what apps are running in the background Windows 11?

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and see what background apps are running.

Wrapping up

Those are the easiest ways to disable background apps in Windows 11.

If you’re dealing with general system slowdown, you might also want to check out how to fix too many background processes in Windows for more in-depth tweaks.

And if the option is missing or grayed out, check out our fixes for Windows 11 background apps missing or background apps grayed out in Windows 10. Got questions or tips? Drop them in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.