5 Best Ways to Turn off Background Apps in Windows 11

Background apps are available on your Windows 11 to keep some programs active. However, they can become problematic in unexpected ways.

They can consume unwanted data and cause your computer to become slow. You may have experienced the freezing of your PC a couple of times. This might be the reason.

Just because you don’t see an app running on your desktop doesn’t mean it is not running in the background. The cause and effects, as well as the solutions, will be enumerated in this guide.

Why should I turn off the Windows 11 background apps?

There are several reasons to turn off background apps in Windows 11:

• Improved performance: Running fewer background apps can help to free up system resources, leading to improved performance and faster operation of your device.
• Increased battery life: Background apps can consume significant battery power, so turning them off can help extend your device’s battery life.
• Enhanced privacy: Some background apps may collect and transmit data about your usage, potentially compromising privacy. By turning them off, you can reduce the amount of data that is being collected and transmitted.
• Better security: Running fewer background apps can reduce the risk of malware and other security threats, as malicious software is less likely to run on your device.

How do I turn off background programs in Windows 11?

1. Set background apps permission

1. Click the Windows icon on your Taskbar.
   
2. Then click on the Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
   
3. Click Apps & Features on the Apps menu.
   
4. Now, click on the three dots next to the app and select Advanced options.
   
5. Click on the Background apps permission. Now set the permission to Never if you don’t want that app to run in the background.
   

2. Use battery settings

1. Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings menu, go to System, then click on Power & battery.
   
2. Select the Battery usage option to make the necessary setting.
   
3. Under the Battery usage section, please search for the intended background app, and click on the three dots next to it. Then choose Manage background activity.
   
4. You’ll be taken back to the Apps & features page. Right there, choose again the Never option under the Background apps permissions section.
   

3. Navigate to Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del keys together to open the Task Manager, and then navigate to the Startup tab.
   
2. Look for the app you intend to turn off. Click on it, then click the Disable button.
   

With Task Manager, you can disable only traditional desktop programs from running in the background.

4. Disable via registry

1. Press Windows + R keys together and enter regedit. Press Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor.
   
2. Navigate to the key below and then check for AppPrivacy under Windows.
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
   
3. Now, right-click on the AppPrivacy key, choose New followed by DWORD, and name it LetAppsRunInBackground.
   
4. Then right-click the LetAppsRunInBackground option and choose Modify.
5. Set the Value data to 2, save your changes, and reboot your computer.

5. Disable background app in Local GP editor

1. Open the Run dialog using Window + R key combination.
   
2. Navigate to the policy location just below on the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor.
3. After then, in the right pane of App Privacy in Local Group Policy Editor, please tap on the Let Windows apps run in the background policy to edit it.
   
4. Now click Disable to turn the background off, followed by Ok.
   

A lot of the apps run by default in the background. When an app runs in the background, it uses different processes that use up extra resources, which can decrease the system’s overall performance.

Improve your system performance by using the solutions we have provided. Let us know which solution works better for you in the comment below.