3 Ways To Disable Background Apps On Windows 11 (Quick Guide)

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4 min. read

Published on September 22, 2025

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Windows 11, while visually appealing and feature-rich, can sometimes suffer from performance issues due to resource-hungry background apps. These apps, running silently in the background, consume system resources like CPU, memory, and battery life, impacting your overall experience. Fortunately, Windows 11 provides several methods to manage and disable these applications, improving performance and extending battery life. This guide will walk you through three effective ways to regain control over your system’s resources. We’ll cover simple steps to identify and disable unnecessary background processes, ensuring a smoother and more efficient Windows 11 experience.

How Can I Stop Apps From Running in the Background on Windows 11?

Here are three methods to disable background apps on Windows 11, each offering a slightly different approach to managing your system’s resources:

Method 1: Using the Settings App

Open the Settings app (you can usually do this by searching for "Settings" in the Start Menu).
Click on Apps.
Select Apps & features.
Scroll down and locate the app you want to manage.
Click on the three vertical dots next to the app’s name and select Advanced options.
Under Background apps, toggle the switch to the Off position. This will prevent the app from running in the background. Repeat this process for any other apps you want to disable.

Method 2: Using Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Navigate to the Startup tab.
You’ll see a list of applications that launch automatically when you start your computer.
Select the app you want to disable and click Disable. This will prevent the app from automatically starting up, although it might still run in the background if already launched. Note that disabling startup apps may affect the functionality of some programs.

Method 3: Adjusting App Permissions (For Specific Features)

Some apps might have specific background processes that you want to control without completely disabling the app. For example, you may want to stop an app from sending notifications but still allow it to perform other background tasks. To do this:

Open the Settings app.
Go to Privacy & security.
Select Background apps.
You’ll see a list of apps and their background activity permissions. You can individually adjust these settings for each app. For instance, you could disable notifications for an app while still allowing it to sync data in the background.

Tips for Managing Background Apps

Regularly review your background apps: Periodically check your background apps to ensure you haven’t inadvertently allowed resource-intensive programs to run unnecessarily.
Restart your computer: A simple restart can often clear out lingering background processes and free up system resources.
Consider uninstalling unused apps: If you haven’t used an app in a long time, consider uninstalling it to free up space and prevent it from consuming resources.
Use a lightweight antivirus: A resource-heavy antivirus can significantly impact your system’s performance. Consider switching to a lighter alternative.

Efficiently Managing Background Processes

By carefully managing background applications, you can significantly enhance the responsiveness and efficiency of your Windows 11 system. These methods provide a range of options, allowing you to tailor your approach based on individual application needs and your system’s performance requirements. Remember to monitor your system’s resource usage after making changes to ensure you’ve achieved the desired results.

FAQs

What happens if I disable a background app?

Disabling a background app prevents it from running silently in the background, consuming system resources. This can improve performance, extend battery life, and reduce system clutter. However, it might also affect the functionality of the app, preventing automatic updates or background tasks.

Can disabling background apps affect my system’s security?

In most cases, disabling background apps won’t directly affect your system’s security. However, disabling essential security apps like antivirus software could leave your system vulnerable to threats. Exercise caution when disabling apps related to security.

How do I know which apps are consuming the most resources?

You can use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to monitor resource usage. The "Processes" tab shows the CPU, memory, and disk usage of each running application, allowing you to identify resource-intensive programs.

Will disabling background apps completely stop notifications from those apps?

Disabling background access often stops notifications from that app; however, some apps might still send notifications through other means. You might need to explore individual app settings to control notification behavior.