How to Stop Apps From Running in the Background in Windows 11

On Windows 11 Microsoft’s built-in apps and apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store run in the background by default. This can be handy if you want to stay current and get notifications from apps like Twitter or the Mail app. It also lets the apps update in the background.

However, there are also certain disadvantages apps running in the background. If you’re on a laptop or other Windows 11 device like a Microsoft Surface, you might want to disable non-essential apps from running to save battery juice.

Another reason to turn them off would be if you’re on a cellular connection. You don’t need apps that you’re not using eating away at your data plan. Or, you just might find too many app notifications annoying. Whatever the reason, you can stop them from running in the background. 

On Windows 11, many apps you download from the Microsoft Store will continue to run in the background to take advantage of additional features, such as the ability to download data, update Live Tiles, and show notifications.

Although these features can be useful in a number of scenarios, apps running in the background (even when you didn't start them) can drain battery, waste bandwidth and system resources. Luckily, if keeping apps updated isn't something important for you, Windows 11 ships with settings to control which apps are allowed to operate in the background.

How to turn off background apps running in Windows 11

1. Press Windows Keys + I to open Settings.

2. Select Apps on the left pane. Click on Apps & Features. The list of installed apps on your computer will be displayed to you.

3. On the Apps & features settings pane, under App list, you’ll see apps that are available and running in the background. Some of these are needed, like the weather app – to get timely weather info, Alarms & Clock – to receive important event reminders and others. So apps, no so much and can be stopped from running in the background.

4. Click on the three-dot icon beside the app you want to disable. Select Advanced options. You will be taken to another menu.

5. Click on the bar below the Let this app run in background.

6. Select Never.

Close the menus and go back to what you were doing. The disabled apps will not run in the background.

This will prevent apps from running again in the background. You must execute each application in turn that you consider unimportant. Keep the apps that matter to you so you always get accurate and up-to-date information from Windows.

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This article showed you how to disable or disable background apps in Windows 11. If you find any of the above errors, please use the comment form below to report them.