Why Disable Background Apps?
Unlike older versions of the operating system, Windows 11 allows Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps—the modern applications downloaded from the Microsoft Store—to run silently in the background even after you have clicked the “X” to close their window. These apps constantly poll the internet for updates, refresh live tiles, and fetch notifications. While this is useful for an email client or a messaging app, having dozens of games, weather apps, and utility programs running invisibly can consume a significant amount of your laptop’s battery life and tie up valuable system RAM. If your PC is struggling with performance, you should restrict which apps are allowed to run in the background.
How to Manage Background Permissions in Windows 11
Microsoft removed the global “Turn off all background apps” master switch that existed in Windows 10. In Windows 11, you must manage these permissions on a per-app basis.
- Click the Start Menu and type Settings, or press the Windows Key + I.
- In the left-hand sidebar of the Settings app, click on Apps.
- Click on Installed apps (or “Apps & features”).
- You will see a long list of every program installed on your computer. Scroll down and locate an application you want to restrict (for example, the Xbox app, Spotify, or the Weather app).
- Click the three horizontal dots (…) located on the far right side of the app’s name.
- Select Advanced options from the small dropdown menu. (Note: If “Advanced options” is missing, the application is a traditional Win32 desktop program, not a modern UWP app, and does not use this specific background permission system).
Changing the App Permission
Once inside the Advanced Options screen for that specific app:
- Scroll down to the section labeled Background apps permissions.
- You will see a dropdown menu that says “Let this app run in background.” It is usually set to “Power optimized (recommended)” by default.
- Click the dropdown menu and select Never.
The change takes effect immediately. The application is now strictly forbidden from utilizing any CPU cycles, RAM, or network bandwidth unless you actively click its icon in the Start Menu and leave its window open on your screen.