By default, Windows 11 allows many applications—especially those downloaded from the Microsoft Store, like weather apps, news aggregators, or social media clients—to continue running in the background even when their windows are closed. These background apps consume CPU cycles to fetch live data, utilise RAM, and drain laptop batteries significantly faster.
If you are experiencing sluggish performance on an older PC or struggling with poor battery life, auditing and disabling these background applications is one of the most effective optimization steps you can take.
How to Disable Background Apps (Individually)
Unlike Windows 10, which had a single master switch to disable all background apps simultaneously, Windows 11 requires you to manage permissions on a per-app basis. This is actually better for stability, as it prevents you from accidentally disabling critical background services.
- Click the Start button and select the Settings gear icon (or press Windows Key + I).
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on Apps.
- On the right side of the screen, click on Installed apps.
- Scroll through the list to find an application you rarely use or do not need live notifications from (e.g., the Xbox app, Cortana, or third-party games).
- Click the three-dot menu icon next to the app’s name.
- Select Advanced options. (Note: If this option is missing, the app is a traditional desktop program (Win32) rather than a modern UWP app, and its background behaviour cannot be managed through this menu).
- Scroll down to the section labelled Background apps permissions.
- Click the dropdown menu under “Let this app run in background.” You have three choices:
- Always: The app runs constantly.
- Power optimized (Default): Windows decides when to pause the app to save battery.
- Never: The app is strictly forbidden from using any resources unless you actively open its window.
- Select Never.
Repeat this process for any other modern applications you suspect are draining your system resources. The changes take effect immediately, freeing up RAM and extending your battery life without requiring a system restart.