Stop Background Apps: Windows 10 & 11 Performance Boost
Is your computer running slow? Background apps might be the culprit! Unnecessary programs running in the background consume valuable system resources, impacting performance and battery life. This guide provides a step-by-step solution to manage and disable background apps in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Why Stop Background Apps?
Applications like Skype, Xbox, and Photos often run in the background, even when you\'re not actively using them. This can lead to:
- Reduced system performance
- Decreased battery life (especially on laptops)
- Slower boot times
How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 10
Windows 10 offers a straightforward way to control which apps can run in the background:
- Go to Start Menu > Settings.
- Click on Privacy.
- Select Background apps on the left-hand side.
- Under "Let apps run in the background", ensure the toggle is set to Off. This disables background activity for all apps. You can also disable individual apps by toggling them off in the list below.
Disable Unnecessary Apps: From here, disable any apps you don\'t need running in the background. This includes pre-installed applications.
How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 11
Unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn\'t have a single toggle to disable all background apps like Windows 10. You need to manage each app individually. Here are several methods:
Method 1: Through App Settings (Microsoft Store Apps)
This method applies primarily to apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Note: This might not manage background activity for applications installed from other sources.
- Go to Settings - Apps. (Ayarlar - Uygulamalar)
- Click on Apps & features. (Uygulamalar & Özellikler)
- Find the app you want to manage.
- Click the three dots (...) to the left of the app name and select Advanced options. (Gelişmiş Seçenekler)
- Under Background apps permission, set "Let this app run in background" to Never.
Method 2: Battery Saver
Enabling battery saver mode is an easy way to temporarily stop background activity. This will also stop notifications.
Important Considerations for Windows 11
Keep in mind that disabling background activity for some apps may affect their functionality. For example, disabling background access for your email app will prevent it from automatically checking for new messages.
Viewing Background Processes in Task Manager
You can monitor which applications are running in the background and consuming resources using the Task Manager:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the Processes tab.
- Look for apps using significant CPU, Memory, or Disk resources, even when you\'re not actively using them.
While you can\'t directly disable background activity for all apps from Task Manager, this allows you to identify resource-hungry applications.
Stop Automatic Startup Programs
To prevent programs from automatically launching when you start your computer, follow these steps:
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Go to the Startup tab.
- Disable any programs you don\'t need to start automatically.
By disabling unnecessary startup programs, you can significantly improve your computer\'s boot time.
Conclusion
Managing background apps is crucial for optimizing your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC\'s performance. By following these steps, you can disable unnecessary background activity, improve battery life, and enjoy a smoother, faster computing experience. From here you can disable unwanted applications that are running in the background in Windows 10. By closing the "Let apps run in the background" option, you can directly stop the background activities of all programs. Remember to adjust the settings based on your individual needs and usage patterns.