How to Stop Apps Running in Background on Windows 11: A Complete Guide

Is your Windows 11 PC running slower than usual, even when you’re not doing much? Background apps might be the reason. Many apps keep running quietly after you close them — using memory, CPU power, and battery.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to stop apps running in background on Windows 11, step by step. Whether you want to save battery life, boost performance, or reduce data usage, we’ve got every method covered — from Settings to Task Manager, Registry tweaks, and Group Policy.

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🧭 Summary: Key Takeaways

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🧩 What Are Background Apps in Windows 11?

Background apps are programs that continue to operate even when they’re not visible. For example, Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, Spotify, or Mail might keep running in the background to sync data, send notifications, or download updates.

While this helps keep your apps up to date, it can also consume system resources, leading to:

• Slower performance

• Higher CPU usage

• Faster battery drain (especially on laptops)

• Increased internet data consumption

The good news? Windows 11 lets you control and stop background activity easily.

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⚙️ Why You Should Stop Apps from Running in the Background

Here’s why disabling unnecessary background apps can make a big difference:

✅ Improve Performance

Free up memory and CPU resources, so your PC runs faster.

🔋 Extend Battery Life

Laptops benefit the most — fewer background processes mean less power draw.

🌐 Save Internet Data

Apps like OneDrive or Teams can quietly sync large files. Disabling background activity prevents this.

🧠 Reduce Clutter

Simplifies your system’s activity and minimizes distractions.

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🪟 How to Stop Apps Running in Background on Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)

Below are eight easy methods, suitable for both beginners and power users.

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🧩 Method 1: Stop Background Apps from Settings

The simplest way to stop apps running in the background is through the Settings app.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Go to Apps → Installed Apps.

3. Locate the app you want to control.

4. Click the three dots (⋯) → Advanced options.

5. Under Background apps permissions, select one of the following:

   • Always (default)

   • Power optimized

   • Never ← (choose this to stop background activity)

✅ Repeat this for each app you want to restrict.

Pro Tip: Prioritize apps you rarely use — for example, Mail, Cortana, or Xbox apps.

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🧭 Method 2: Use Battery Settings to Limit Background Activity

If you’re on a laptop, Windows 11 includes smart battery optimization tools.

1. Open Settings → System → Power & battery.

2. Scroll to Battery usage and click it.

3. You’ll see a list of apps with their background usage statistics.

4. Click the three dots next to an app → select Manage background activity.

5. Set Background apps permissions to Never.

✅ This method helps identify and restrict the apps that consume the most power.

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💻 Method 3: Disable Background Apps via Task Manager

You can also manage or stop active background processes directly.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Click the Processes tab.

3. Sort by CPU or Memory to identify resource-heavy background apps.

4. Right-click an app → choose End task.

⚠️ Caution: Don’t end system processes (e.g., “Windows Explorer” or “System”) — only user apps.

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🧠 Method 4: Disable Startup Programs (Apps That Auto-Launch)

Many background apps start automatically with Windows.

To prevent this:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).

2. Go to the Startup apps tab.

3. Right-click any unnecessary app and choose Disable.

Alternatively:

• Open Settings → Apps → Startup.

• Toggle off the apps you don’t need to run on startup.

✅ This helps reduce background processes before they even begin.

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⚡ Method 5: Turn Off Background Services (Advanced Users)

Some apps run background services even after you disable them in Settings.

To stop them:

1. Press Windows + R, type:

   services.msc


   Press Enter.

2. Find the app’s background service (e.g., “OneDrive Service” or “Windows Update”).

3. Right-click it → Properties.

4. Under Startup type, select Disabled.

5. Click Apply → OK.

✅ Restart your PC to apply changes.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t disable critical Windows services unless you’re sure what they do.

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🧩 Method 6: Stop Background Apps Using Registry Editor

This method is for advanced users who want system-wide control.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications


3. Find the key named GlobalUserDisabled.

   • If it doesn’t exist, create it as a DWORD (32-bit) value.

4. Double-click it and set its value to 1.

5. Restart your PC.

✅ This disables background app access globally for all users.

Tip: Change the value back to 0 to re-enable background activity later.

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🧱 Method 7: Disable Background Apps via Group Policy Editor

If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, this is the most powerful method.

1. Press Windows + R, type:

   gpedit.msc


   and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → App Privacy


3. Double-click Let Windows apps run in the background.

4. Choose Disabled → Click Apply → OK.

✅ This blocks all background activity for Windows Store apps.

Note: Restart your PC to apply the changes.

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🔌 Method 8: Disable Background Sync for Specific Apps

Some apps like OneDrive, Teams, and Mail sync continuously. You can pause or stop their background sync:

For OneDrive:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.

2. Click Pause syncing → 2 hours / 8 hours / 24 hours.

For Microsoft Teams:

1. Open Teams → Settings → General.

2. Uncheck Auto-start Teams.

For Mail app:

1. Open Mail → Settings → Manage Accounts.

2. Turn off automatic sync.

✅ This ensures apps don’t consume resources in the background.

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🧾 Comparison: Methods to Stop Background Apps

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🧠 Pro Tips to Keep Background Apps Under Control

• 🧹 Regularly check Task Manager: Identify new apps that auto-run.

• 🔋 Use Battery Saver mode: It automatically restricts background activity.

• 🚫 Disable Live Tiles: Unpin live tiles in Start to stop background refreshes.

• 🧰 Use third-party optimizers: Tools like CCleaner or Autoruns can help manage startup and background apps.

• 🔄 Restart periodically: Reboots clear hidden background processes.

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🔒 How to Allow Only Certain Apps to Run in Background

If you don’t want to block all background activity, you can allow only selected apps:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy & security → App permissions → Background apps.

2. Turn Off background activity globally.

3. Then manually enable it for essential apps like Mail or Calendar.

✅ This creates a balance between performance and functionality.

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🧩 How to Know Which Apps Are Running in Background

Here’s how to check active background apps:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → open Task Manager.

• Click Processes → Apps and Background processes sections.

• Look for high CPU, Memory, or Power usage indicators.

You can also use Resource Monitor (resmon) to analyze what’s consuming resources.

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. ❌ Disabling all background services — some are essential for Windows.

2. ❌ Forgetting to restart — some changes only apply after a reboot.

3. ❌ Using registry tweaks without backup — always export your registry first.

4. ❌ Stopping antivirus or update services — can expose your PC to risks.

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💻 Performance Benefits After Disabling Background Apps

Users often report noticeable improvements:

(These are approximate results from real-world testing.)

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🧭 Conclusion: Take Control of Background Apps in Windows 11

Background apps can silently slow down your PC, drain battery, and eat up bandwidth. Thankfully, Windows 11 gives you full control to manage them through Settings, Task Manager, or advanced system tools.

By following this guide, you can:

• Stop unnecessary apps from running in background

• Optimize performance and battery life

• Keep essential apps running smoothly

Take a few minutes to apply these steps — your Windows 11 system will feel faster, lighter, and more efficient.

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❓ FAQs About Stopping Background Apps in Windows 11

1. What happens if I disable background apps in Windows 11?
They stop updating or syncing automatically, saving resources — but you’ll need to open them manually for updates.

2. Can I stop background apps permanently?
Yes. Using Group Policy or Registry Editor ensures apps stay disabled until you re-enable them.

3. Does disabling background apps affect notifications?
Yes. Some apps may no longer send push notifications until opened.

4. Will disabling background apps improve gaming performance?
Absolutely. It frees up CPU and RAM, reducing lag and improving FPS.

5. Are there apps I shouldn’t disable?
Avoid disabling Windows Security, OneDrive (if you sync files), or apps you rely on for real-time updates.

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✅ Next Step: Bookmark this guide and perform a quick background app check every month — it’s one of the easiest ways to keep your Windows 11 PC running like new!