How to Turn Off Background Apps for Better Performance

Is your computer chugging along, even when you’ve closed every visible window? The answer to why might be hidden in plain sight. Learning how to turn off background apps is one of the most effective ways to reclaim your system’s speed and battery life, silencing the resource drain from applications running when you’re not even using them. They sip CPU cycles, nibble on memory, and drain your battery—often without you realizing it.
This guide dives deep into the specific steps and strategies for disabling these apps in Windows. We’ll cover the right way to do it for your system, which apps are safe to disable, and which ones you should leave alone.

Table of Contents

At a Glance: Your Quick Takeaways

Understand the “Why”: Disabling background apps frees up CPU, memory (RAM), and network bandwidth, leading to a snappier PC and longer battery life for laptops.
Know Your OS: The process is different. Windows 11 uses a permission-based system per app, while Windows 10 has a centralized “Background apps” privacy page.
Not All Apps Are Equal: You’ll manage Microsoft Store apps (like Weather or Mail) through system settings, but traditional desktop programs (like Adobe Photoshop or Steam) often require you to change settings within the app itself.
Choose Wisely: You can disable apps individually or all at once. We’ll show you a simple framework to decide which to turn off without disrupting your workflow.
Go Beyond the Basics: For total control, power users can use the Group Policy Editor or Registry to enforce background app rules system-wide.

The Hidden Cost of Background Activity

Think of your computer’s resources like a household budget. Every open program makes a withdrawal. Background apps are like small, recurring subscriptions you forgot you signed up for; individually, they don’t cost much, but together, they can drain your account.
These apps aren’t inherently malicious. They perform useful tasks like:

Syncing Data: Your cloud storage (OneDrive, Dropbox) syncs files.
Fetching Updates: Your Mail or Calendar app checks for new information.
Sending Notifications: A messaging app lets you know when you have a new text.
The problem arises from bloat. Do you really need the “Tips” app or a game you never play constantly checking for updates? Probably not. Each one of these background processes consumes a slice of your computer’s power. By taking control, you’re not breaking anything; you’re simply becoming a more efficient manager of your system’s resources. This is a core part of the broader strategy to How to stop background apps, giving you a direct lever to pull for better performance.

First, Know Your App Type: Store vs. Desktop

Before you start clicking, it’s crucial to understand that Windows handles two types of applications differently. This is where most people get confused.

App Type	How to Identify It	How to Control Its Background Activity
Microsoft Store Apps	Typically installed from the Microsoft Store. Examples: Mail, Calendar, Weather, Netflix, Spotify.	Managed directly through Windows Settings. You have fine-grained control over their background permissions.
Traditional Desktop Apps	Installed from a downloaded file (.EXE, .MSI). Examples: Google Chrome, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Steam.	Managed within the app’s own internal settings. Windows Settings has no control over their background behavior.
This article primarily focuses on controlling the first type—Microsoft Store apps—through system settings, as that’s where Windows gives you direct power. For traditional apps, you’ll need to hunt for a setting like “Launch at startup” or “Run in background” inside that specific program’s options menu.

Your Step-by-Step Guide for Windows 11

In Windows 11, Microsoft moved away from a single on/off switch to a more nuanced, permission-based system for Store apps. Here’s how to take control.

Method 1: Managing Apps Individually via Settings

This is the most direct way to configure permissions for a specific app you suspect is draining resources.

Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I or right-click the Start menu and select Settings.
Navigate to Apps: In the left sidebar, click on Apps, then select Installed apps.
Find and Select Your App: Scroll through the list to find the app you want to manage. Click the three-dot menu (...) on the far right and choose Advanced options.
Set Background App Permissions: Look for the “Background apps permissions” section. You’ll see a dropdown menu with three choices.
Here’s what those options actually mean:

Always: The app can run in the background without restriction. Use this only for apps where you need constant, real-time data, like a critical messaging client.
Power optimized (Recommended): This is the default. Windows intelligently decides when the app can run in the background to balance performance and power savings. It’s a good middle ground but may not be aggressive enough for users seeking maximum performance.
Never: This is the one you want for performance. The app is completely blocked from running in the background. It will only use resources when you have it open and are actively using it.
Practical Snippet: Let’s say you notice your laptop battery drains faster than it should. You open Installed apps and see the “Weather” app. You don’t need live tile updates or constant notifications about the forecast. You’d click its advanced options and switch the permission from “Power optimized” to “Never”. The app will still work perfectly when you open it, but it won’t do anything behind your back.

Method 2: The Laptop User’s Shortcut via Battery Usage

If you’re on a laptop or tablet, there’s a more intuitive way to find the biggest offenders.

Open Settings: Press Windows key + I.
Go to Power & battery: In the left sidebar, click System, then select Power & battery.
View Battery Usage: Click on Battery usage to expand the section. You’ll see a list of apps sorted by how much battery they’ve consumed.
Manage Background Activity: Find a high-usage app you want to restrict. Click the three-dot menu (...) next to it and select Manage background activity.
This will take you directly to the same “Background apps permissions” page from Method 1. Change the setting to “Never”.

Taming Background Apps in Windows 10

Windows 11 step-by-step guide for easy setup, new features, and optimization.

Windows 10 offers a more centralized, straightforward approach that many users prefer.

Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I.
Go to Privacy: Click on the Privacy (lock icon) category.
Find Background Apps: In the left-hand pane, scroll down and click on Background apps.
Here you have two powerful choices:

The Master Switch: At the very top, you’ll see a toggle for “Let apps run in the background”. Turning this Off disables all Microsoft Store apps from running in the background. This is the fastest, most aggressive option for boosting performance.
Individual Toggles: If you prefer a more selective approach, leave the master switch On. Then, scroll down the list of applications and toggle off each one you don’t need running in the background. For example, you might turn off “3D Viewer” and “Xbox Game Bar” but leave “Alarms & Clock” on.

A Practical Playbook: Which Apps Should You Turn Off?

Taming background apps in Windows 10 for better performance.

Knowing how is only half the battle; knowing what is just as important. Disabling the wrong app could cause you to miss an important meeting reminder or message.
Here’s a simple framework to guide your decisions.

✅ Leave These ON

Antivirus/Security Software: These need to run constantly to protect you.
Cloud Sync (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive): If you rely on real-time file syncing, leave these alone.
Core Communication (Mail, Calendar, Teams, Slack): If you need instant notifications for emails, meetings, or messages, keep these enabled.
Alarms & Clock: Essential if you use your PC for alarms or timers.

🤔 Consider Turning OFF

Music Streaming (Spotify, Pandora): If you only listen while the app is open, you can safely turn off its background permission. You’ll lose the ability to use media controls when the app isn’t in focus, but you’ll save resources.
Weather, News, Stocks: If you’re someone who actively opens these apps to check for updates, you don’t need them running in the background.
Social Media Apps (Facebook, Twitter): You can get the same functionality (and often better) from your web browser without the constant background drain.

⛔ Definitely Turn OFF

Bloatware: Any pre-installed app from your computer manufacturer that you don’t use (e.g., trial software, branded support tools).
Games you rarely play: There’s no reason for a game to be syncing data or checking for updates if you haven’t launched it in months.
Retail/Storefront Apps: Apps like the Microsoft Store itself, or other shopping apps, generally don’t need background access unless you want notifications about sales.
Utility Apps you never use: Things like “3D Viewer,” “Print 3D,” or “Mixed Reality Portal” are prime candidates for disabling if you don’t use those features.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Q: Does turning off background apps really make a difference?
A: Yes, especially on older hardware or laptops running on battery. According to data from various performance benchmarks, reducing background processes can free up 5-15% of RAM and noticeably reduce CPU usage spikes, making the entire system feel more responsive. For laptops, this can translate into an extra 30-60 minutes of battery life, depending on the workload.
Q: I turned off an app’s background permission, but I still see its process in Task Manager. Why?
A: You’re likely seeing a different behavior. The “Background apps permissions” setting stops an app from running when it’s closed. However, some programs also have “startup processes” that launch when you log into Windows. To manage those, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the “Startup apps” tab, and disable any unnecessary programs there.
Q: Will turning off background apps prevent them from updating?
A: It can delay automatic updates from the Microsoft Store. The “Power optimized” setting is designed to allow these updates to happen efficiently. If you set it to “Never,” the app will only update when you open it or when you manually check for updates in the Microsoft Store. This is generally not a security risk for most apps.
Q: Is it safe to just turn off all of them?
A: For the most part, yes. It’s safe in that it won’t break your operating system. The main “side effect” is that you will stop receiving real-time notifications from those apps. If you’re okay with only getting updates when you open an app, then disabling all of them is a fast and effective way to boost performance.

Your Next Move: Create a Leaner System Today

You don’t need to be a tech expert to make a meaningful improvement to your computer’s performance. You just need a clear plan.

Identify Your OS: Are you on Windows 11 or Windows 10? Follow the specific steps for your system.
Do a Quick Audit: Start with the “Definitely Turn Off” list. Go into your settings and disable permissions for any bloatware or unused utility apps. This is your biggest and easiest win.
Be Selective: Move to the “Consider Turning Off” list. Make a trade-off decision for each one. Do you value instant weather updates more than a bit of extra battery life? The choice is yours.
Set a Reminder: Make a habit of reviewing these settings every few months, especially after you install new software. A lean system is a fast system.
By taking these deliberate steps, you’re not just mindlessly clicking buttons. You’re taking back control and ensuring your computer’s resources are spent on what you’re actively doing, not on a dozen forgotten tasks running in the shadows.

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Turthledeep

Hi, I’m creator of Best App Review. As a tech enthusiast, I’m passionate about finding and sharing the best apps to help you work smarter, live better, and stay productive. Through honest reviews and hands-on testing, I aim to guide you in choosing the right tools for your needs. Let’s explore the world of apps together!