In the age of multitasking, our computers often run various applications in the background to ensure a seamless user experience. While this can be convenient, it can also consume valuable system resources and drain your laptop’s battery life. To address this concern, learning how to disable background apps in Windows 11 is a crucial skill for optimizing your computer’s performance.
Windows 11, with its sleek design and enhanced features, provides users with several methods to manage background apps. Whether you prefer using the Settings app for simplicity or diving into advanced options like the Group Policy Editor for finer control, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to choose the method that best suits your needs. Here we will explore the steps and techniques required to disable background apps, allowing you to reclaim your computer’s resources and improve overall system performance in Windows 11.
Why Disable Background Apps?
Background apps in Windows 11 can be both a blessing and a curse. They provide convenience by keeping certain applications running in the background, ensuring you receive notifications and updates even when you’re not actively using them. However, these apps can also slow down your computer and drain its battery.
Here’s why you might consider disabling them:
- System Performance: Background apps can hog system resources, leading to slower overall performance. This is particularly noticeable on older or less powerful computers.
- Battery Life: On laptops and tablets, background apps can significantly reduce battery life by continuously running and consuming power.
- Privacy: Some background apps might collect data or send telemetry information without your consent. Disabling them can enhance your privacy.
How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 11?
Now, let’s explore various methods to disable background apps in Windows 11 to reduce the consumption of system resources and battery life to save power.
1. Using the Settings App
The first method to disable background apps in Windows 11 is by accessing the Settings app. It allows you to disable individual Microsoft Store apps from running in the background.
Here is how to do it:
1. Click on the Start button, type Settings, and open it.
2. In the Settings window, click on Apps and then click on the Installed Apps on the left pane.
3. Scroll through the list of apps installed on your computer and locate the app you want to disable for background usage.
4. Click on the three-dot icon and select the Advanced option from the menu that appears.
5. Under the Let apps run in the background drop-down menu, select Never to disable background usage.
2. Using Power & Battery Settings
One convenient method for disabling background apps is by utilizing the Power & Battery settings on your device. This method allows you to easily manage and control which apps are allowed to run in the background, providing you with a streamlined and efficient user experience based on battery usage.
Follow these steps to disable background Aapps via Power & Battery settings:
1. Press the Windows key + I to open Windows settings.
2. Click System and move into Power & battery settings.
3. Scroll down a little and locate Battery usage, click on it to open a detailed list of apps and their power consumption data.
4. Open the Sort By filter and select Background from the drop-down list, this will load apps that consume battery through background activities.
5. Now click on the three dots corresponding to any app and select Manage background activity.
6. This will take you to the settings for that app. Under Background apps permissions, select Never from the drop-down menu. This way, you will disable background battery usage for that application.
3. Disable High Impact Startup Apps
Some high-impact startup apps automatically run in the background which slows down the bootup and also the system performance. By turning off the startup setting for specific apps, you’ll effectively prevent them from running in the background when you’re not using them. This can help conserve system resources and improve your laptop’s performance.
Here’s how you can disable the high-impact startup apps on Windows:
1. Open the Windows Settings app.
2. Click on the Apps and Startup option on the left of the settings.
3. You will see a list of apps that are allowed and disallowed to start up when you log in to your computer. Apps listed here may also run in the background. To prevent an app from running in the background and at startup, click on the toggle switch.
4. Toggle the switch to Off for any apps you don’t want running in the background or starting up with your computer.
4. Using the Task Manager
To disable high-impact startup apps from the Windows settings, you can use the Task Manager if you are an advanced user to control background processes.
Here is how you can do it:
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup App tab.
3. Here, you will get the list of apps that run in the background. To disable the apps, right-click on it and click on the Disable option in the context menu.
4. Alternatively, you can click on the Disable button.
Note: Disabling certain apps from the startup settings can impact system boot times. Be judicious in your choices; don’t disable system-related apps, as they are essential components of your system that help you boot the system.
5. Using the Registry Editor
Another method to disable background apps involves using the Registry Editor. The Registry Editor provides advanced access to system settings and configurations, allowing you to make specific changes to disable background apps. While this method requires a bit more technical knowledge, it offers a high level of customization and control over background app management.
Here’s how to disable background apps using Registry Editor:
1. Press the Windows key + Ron your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit into the Run dialog box and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows4. Under the Windows key check if there is an AppPrivacy key available. If not, right-click on the Windows key and Select New > Key.
5. Name the new key as AppPrivacy.
6. After that, right-click on AppPrivacy and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu that appears.
7. Rename this new value as LetAppsRunInBackground.
8. Once the new value is renamed, right-click on it again and select Modify.
9. Enter 2 in Value data and hit OK.
10. Once you have made the necessary changes, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the settings.
6. Using Group Policy Editor
There is another method for Windows Pro users: you can use the Group Policy Editor. The Group Policy Editor can provide more extensive control over background apps.
Here is how you can do it:
1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the following location:
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\App Privacy3. On the left pane, look for Let Windows apps run in the background option.
4. Double-click on it, and you will get a configuration window. Here, select the Enabled option.
5. After that, under the Default for all apps option, select Force Deny from the drop-down menu.
6. Click OK and Apply to save the changes.
Conclusion
Managing background apps in Windows 11 is essential for optimizing system performance, preserving battery life, and enhancing privacy. Whether you prefer a simple toggle in the Settings app or a more hands-on approach using advanced tools like Task Manager, Group Policy Editor, or Registry Editor, Windows 11 offers multiple avenues to take control of your system.
By following the methods in this guide, you can strike the right balance between convenience and performance, ensuring your Windows 11 experience is smooth and efficient. However, if you are struggling with slow system performance issues, disabling background apps may not be the solution. You need to upgrade your system hardware.
