If your Windows 11 PC feels slower than usual, or your battery seems to drain faster than it should, background apps might be the culprit. These apps run silently behind the scenes, consuming system resources, network data, and power. But don’t worry — in this detailed guide, we’ll show you how to check background apps in Windows 11 step by step, so you can take full control of what’s running on your computer.
Whether you’re troubleshooting performance issues, managing startup programs, or simply optimizing battery life, this article covers everything you need to know — from checking active background apps to disabling unnecessary ones safely.
What Are Background Apps in Windows 11?
Background apps are programs or services that continue running even when you’re not actively using them. They perform various functions such as checking for updates, sending notifications, syncing data, or handling background tasks (like cloud backups or email syncs).
Examples include:
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Microsoft Teams or Skype syncing messages
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OneDrive uploading files
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Windows Update Service downloading updates
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Antivirus programs scanning in the background
While some of these are useful, too many active background apps can slow down your computer’s performance, drain battery life, and even cause system overheating.
Why You Should Check Background Apps
Regularly monitoring background apps in Windows 11 can help you:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Improve performance | Free up CPU and RAM for apps you’re actually using |
| Extend battery life | Minimize power-hungry background tasks on laptops |
| Reduce data usage | Prevent apps from consuming bandwidth silently |
| Enhance security | Spot suspicious or unnecessary background processes |
| Troubleshoot issues | Identify what’s causing lag, noise, or overheating |
In short, checking background apps helps your PC run smoother and faster.
How to Check Background Apps in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)
Windows 11 gives you several ways to see which apps are running behind the scenes. Let’s go through each method step by step.
Method 1: Using Task Manager
The Task Manager is the easiest way to view and manage all running apps and background processes.
Step-by-Step:
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Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. -
Click on the “Processes” tab.
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Scroll through the list — you’ll see active apps at the top and background processes below them.
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Check the CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network columns to identify apps consuming high resources.
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To stop an unwanted process, right-click it and select “End task.”
💡 Pro Tip: You can click the “Startup apps” tab to see which apps automatically launch when Windows starts.
Method 2: Checking Background Apps via Settings
You can also control which apps are allowed to run in the background through the Windows Settings app.
Here’s how:
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Press
Windows + Ito open Settings. -
Go to Apps → Installed apps.
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Find the app you want to manage and click the three-dot (⋯) icon next to it.
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Select Advanced options (if available).
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Under Background apps permissions, choose one of the following:
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Always – The app runs in the background at all times.
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Power optimized – Windows decides when to allow it.
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Never – Prevents the app from running in the background.
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This method is perfect for managing Microsoft Store apps.
Method 3: Using Power & Battery Settings
If you’re using a laptop, background apps can significantly impact battery performance.
To check battery usage by app:
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Open Settings → System → Power & battery.
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Scroll down to Battery usage.
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Click the dropdown menu to see apps sorted by:
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Overall battery usage
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Background usage
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Foreground usage
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This shows which apps are draining your battery the most — even when not in use.
💡 Tip: Click on any app from the list to manage its background activity permissions.
Method 4: Through the Command Prompt (CMD)
For tech-savvy users, you can use the Command Prompt to list all active background processes.
Steps:
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Press Windows + S, type cmd, and click Run as administrator.
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Type the following command and press Enter:
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This displays all currently running processes, including background ones.
If you want to save this list, type:
This creates a text file of all active processes on your C drive.
Method 5: Checking Startup Programs
Some apps automatically start every time you boot Windows 11. Controlling these can improve startup time and reduce background load.
To manage startup apps:
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Open Task Manager (
Ctrl + Shift + Esc). -
Click on the Startup apps tab.
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Review the list and check the Startup impact column.
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Right-click unnecessary apps and choose Disable.
Disabling high-impact apps like Discord, OneDrive, or Spotify can make your system boot significantly faster.
Method 6: Using Resource Monitor for Advanced Tracking
The Resource Monitor gives deeper insights into how apps use your CPU, memory, disk, and network.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type
resmon, and hit Enter. -
Go to the CPU tab to see which processes are active.
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Check the Network and Disk tabs to identify apps using resources in the background.
💡 Tip: You can right-click a process and select End Process or Analyze Wait Chain to diagnose issues.
How to Stop Apps from Running in the Background
Once you’ve identified which apps are unnecessary, you can prevent them from running automatically.
Option 1: Disable via Settings
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Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
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Select the app → Advanced options → Choose Never under Background apps permissions.
Option 2: Disable via Task Manager
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Open Task Manager → Startup apps → Disable unwanted entries.
Option 3: Disable System Services (Advanced)
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Press Windows + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter. -
Locate the service you want to stop.
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Right-click → Properties → Set Startup type to Disabled.
⚠️ Caution: Don’t disable system-critical services like Windows Update or Security Center.
How to Manage Background Permissions for Microsoft Store Apps
Not all background apps are traditional desktop programs — some are Microsoft Store apps that require special permissions.
To manage these:
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Go to Settings → Privacy & security → App permissions.
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Choose Background apps permissions.
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Adjust which Store apps can run in the background.
You can also toggle off Let apps run in the background globally to stop all Store apps at once.
How to Identify Resource-Hungry Background Processes
Sometimes, one or two apps consume most of your resources. Here’s how to spot them quickly:
| Resource Type | Check Location | Example |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Usage | Task Manager → Processes | Windows Search, Chrome Helper |
| Memory Usage | Task Manager → Performance | Photoshop, Edge |
| Disk Usage | Task Manager → Processes | Windows Update |
| Network Usage | Task Manager → Processes | OneDrive, Steam |
If you notice an app constantly consuming high CPU or memory, it may need updating or could be malfunctioning.
How to Improve Performance After Managing Background Apps
After disabling unnecessary apps, you can boost performance further by:
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Restarting your PC to apply all changes
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Updating Windows and drivers
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Running Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense
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Checking for malware using Windows Defender
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Turning off visual effects:
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Go to System → Advanced System Settings → Performance Settings → Adjust for best performance
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These steps help your PC feel brand new again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Disabling Background Apps
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❌ Disabling all apps blindly: Some are essential for Windows functionality.
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❌ Turning off antivirus or firewall apps: This weakens your PC’s security.
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❌ Forgetting to restart after changes: Settings may not apply immediately.
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❌ Not checking after updates: Windows updates may re-enable some apps.
Always review your background settings after major updates.
Troubleshooting: What If Background Apps Keep Restarting?
If certain apps or processes keep reappearing after you’ve disabled them:
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Check for scheduled tasks
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Open Task Scheduler (
taskschd.msc) and disable unnecessary triggers.
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Update or uninstall the app – Old versions might ignore system settings.
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Scan for malware – Some malicious programs disguise themselves as normal processes.
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Use Group Policy Editor (Pro users)
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Press
Windows + R, typegpedit.msc, and navigate to: -
Configure “Let Windows apps run in the background” → Disabled.
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Key Takeaways
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Background apps can slow your system, drain battery, and use bandwidth.
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Use Task Manager and Settings to check and manage them.
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Disable unnecessary apps to improve performance and efficiency.
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Avoid disabling essential Windows services.
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Regularly recheck settings after updates for best results.
Conclusion
Managing background apps in Windows 11 is one of the easiest yet most effective ways to boost performance and extend battery life. By checking which apps are running silently and turning off the unnecessary ones, you take control of your system’s speed, power, and stability.
Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, following this guide ensures your PC stays optimized, efficient, and free of unnecessary background clutter.
So go ahead — open Task Manager, peek behind the curtain, and give your PC the tune-up it deserves!
FAQs About Checking Background Apps in Windows 11
1. How do I see which apps are running in the background in Windows 11?
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) → Go to the Processes tab → Check under Background processes.
2. Can I stop all background apps at once in Windows 11?
Yes, go to Settings → Privacy & security → Background apps permissions and toggle off Let apps run in the background.
3. Do background apps slow down Windows 11?
Yes, especially if you have many running simultaneously — they consume CPU, memory, and battery resources.
4. Is it safe to disable background apps?
Yes, but avoid disabling essential system or security-related services like Windows Defender or Windows Update.
5. How often should I check for background apps?
Check every few weeks or whenever your system feels slow, consumes more power, or overheats.
✅ Final Tip: Regularly monitoring and managing background apps not only improves performance but also helps your PC stay secure and energy-efficient.