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

Are you noticing that your Windows 11 PC is slower than usual, battery drains faster on laptops, or your system feels sluggish? Many times, background apps are silently running, consuming resources without your knowledge.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to stop apps running in the background on Windows 11 — step by step — using built-in settings, system tools, and best practices to improve performance and battery life.

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📘 Quick Overview

⚡ Tip: Stopping unnecessary background apps can significantly improve system speed, responsiveness, and battery life.

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What Are Background Apps in Windows 11?

• Background apps are applications that run without your direct interaction.

• Examples include email clients, messaging apps, cloud sync services, and news feeds.

• Windows allows apps to update data, send notifications, and perform tasks even when not in the foreground.

While useful, these apps can consume CPU, memory, and battery, slowing your system.

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Why Stop Apps from Running in the Background?

Stopping background apps can help you:

• ⚡ Improve PC performance

• 🔋 Save battery life on laptops

• 🖥️ Free up RAM and CPU for active tasks

• 🔕 Reduce unnecessary notifications

• 🌐 Minimize data usage for online apps

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Method 1: Turn Off Background Apps Using Settings

Windows 11 allows you to control background app permissions easily.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Go to Apps → Apps & features.

3. Scroll through your installed apps and click the three dots next to the app you want to manage → select Advanced options.

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

   • Always → App runs in the background

   • Power optimized → Runs only when needed

   • Never → App is blocked from running in the background

✅ Result: The selected apps will no longer run in the background based on your choice.

💡 Tip: For maximum performance, choose Never for apps you rarely use.

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Method 2: Stop Background Apps Using Task Manager

If an app is currently running and consuming resources, you can force-stop it immediately.

Steps:

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

2. Click the Processes tab.

3. Identify apps running in the background (look under Apps and Background processes).

4. Right-click the app → select End task.

✅ Result: The app stops immediately, freeing CPU and RAM.

⚠️ Note: Some apps may restart automatically depending on their settings.

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Method 3: Disable Startup Apps

Many apps run in the background because they launch at startup.

Steps:

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

2. Go to the Startup tab.

3. Identify unnecessary apps → right-click → select Disable.

✅ Result: These apps won’t start automatically when Windows boots, improving startup speed.

🖥️ Tip: Keep essential apps like antivirus enabled; disable apps like Spotify, OneDrive, or game launchers you don’t need at startup.

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Method 4: Enable Battery Saver Mode

Windows 11’s Battery Saver automatically limits background activity to save power.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I → System → Power & battery.

2. Under Battery → Battery saver, toggle it On.

3. You can also set automatic activation when battery drops below a certain percentage.

✅ Result: Background apps and notifications are restricted, saving battery and reducing CPU load.

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Method 5: Limit Background Apps Using Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise)

For Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise users, Group Policy offers advanced control.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc → press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → App Privacy


3. Double-click Let Windows apps run in the background → set to Disabled → click Apply → OK.

4. Restart your PC.

✅ Result: Most built-in apps are prevented from running in the background, improving system efficiency.

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Method 6: Use Registry Editor to Stop Background Apps (Advanced)

If you’re on Windows 11 Home or want more control:

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit → Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy


3. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named LetAppsRunInBackground.

4. Set its value to 2 → Close Registry Editor → Restart PC.

✅ Result: Windows prevents apps from running in the background according to your registry setting.

⚠️ Caution: Backup your registry before making changes.

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Method 7: Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Apps

Some apps may keep running even if disabled. The best solution is to uninstall apps you don’t use.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I → Apps → Apps & features.

2. Find unnecessary apps → click three dots → Uninstall.

✅ Result: Removes the app entirely, freeing memory and CPU.

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Tips for Managing Background Apps Efficiently

• 🧹 Regularly review installed apps and uninstall what you don’t need.

• 🔔 Adjust notifications to reduce apps waking up in the background.

• ⚡ Use Battery Saver mode on laptops for automatic background management.

• 🖥️ Monitor CPU and RAM via Task Manager to identify heavy apps.

• 🔄 Update Windows 11 regularly; updates often optimize background processes.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will stopping background apps affect Windows updates?

No, system-critical updates and services will still run; only user apps are affected.

2. Can I stop all background apps safely?

Yes, but some apps like antivirus, email, or cloud sync may need to run for functionality.

3. How do I know which apps are running in the background?

Open Task Manager → Background processes to see all running apps and their resource usage.

4. Will stopping background apps improve battery life?

Yes, especially on laptops, reducing CPU and network activity saves battery.

5. Can background apps restart automatically?

Some apps may restart unless disabled via Settings, Group Policy, or uninstalled.

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Conclusion: Stop Unnecessary Background Apps in Windows 11

By controlling which apps run in the background, you can:

• ⚡ Improve PC performance

• 🔋 Save battery life

• 🖥️ Free CPU and RAM for active tasks

• 🔔 Reduce unnecessary notifications

Whether you use Settings, Task Manager, Battery Saver, or Group Policy, Windows 11 gives you multiple ways to manage background apps effectively.

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