How to Turn Off Background Apps in Windows 11 to Improve Performance

If your Windows 11 PC feels slow or your battery drains quickly, apps running in the background might be causing the issue. You can turn off these background apps to improve your system's responsiveness and extend battery life. Windows 11 lets you disable background activity either for specific apps or for all apps at once through settings found in both the Apps and Privacy sections.

Where do I find the settings to turn off background apps in Windows 11?

You can control background apps in two main places: the Apps settings and the Privacy settings. To access these, open the Settings app by clicking the Start button and selecting Settings, or by pressing Windows key + I.

In Settings, go to "Apps" and then "Apps & features." Here you can manage background permissions for individual apps. Separately, under "Privacy & security," find the "App permissions" section, then "Background apps," where you can control which apps are allowed to run in the background globally or individually. These two areas overlap but focus on slightly different apps and permission types.

How do I turn off background apps step-by-step?

To disable background apps individually:

1. Open Settings with Windows key + I.
2. Click "Apps," then select "Apps & features."
3. Scroll to find the app you want to restrict.
4. Click the three-dot menu next to the app and choose "Advanced options."
5. Under "Background apps permissions," select "Never" to stop that app from running in the background.

To turn off all background apps at once:

1. In Settings, go to "Privacy & security."
2. Scroll to "App permissions" and select "Background apps."
3. Toggle off "Let apps run in the background." This stops most apps from running background processes.

Not all apps appear in both settings, so check both places to control all background activity effectively.

What happens when I turn off background apps? Will I lose notifications or functionality?

Turning off background apps can boost performance and save battery, but some apps may lose certain functions. Apps that rely on background activity might not send notifications promptly or update data automatically. For example, messaging or email apps may delay alerts until you open them. Some apps might only sync when launched again. However, essential system apps and critical services typically keep running, so basic functions remain intact. Expect some changes in app behavior after disabling their background permissions.

How do I decide which background apps to turn off safely?

Focus on apps you rarely use or those that don’t need constant updates. Weather widgets, social media clients, and news apps usually work fine with background activity disabled. Keep background permissions enabled for apps where timely notifications or real-time updates are important, like email, calendar, or messaging apps.

You can check which apps use the most battery or resources in Task Manager or under Settings > Battery usage by app. This helps identify background apps that may impact performance or battery life. When unsure, disable background activity for one app at a time and observe the effects before turning off others.

How do I manage background apps via Privacy settings versus Apps settings?

The Apps settings let you control background activity for individual apps, mostly those installed from the Microsoft Store or traditional desktop apps. Privacy settings provide a broader control to allow or block background activity for all apps at once or manage app permissions in groups.

Use Apps settings when you want fine control over specific apps. Use Privacy settings to quickly turn off background apps globally or check which apps have permission to run in the background. Checking both ensures you don’t miss any apps running unnecessarily.

Can I turn background apps back on if I need them later?

Yes, you can re-enable background apps anytime.

For individual apps:

1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Find the app and open its Advanced options.
3. Change the background permission to "Always" or "Power optimized."

To turn all background apps back on:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Background apps.
2. Toggle the switch back on.

This makes it easy to test changes without losing permanent access to app features or notifications.

Conclusion

Adjusting background app settings in Windows 11 gives you control over how your PC uses resources and battery. By selectively turning off background apps, you reduce unnecessary activity that can slow down your system or drain power. Be cautious about which apps you disable to avoid missing important notifications or delays in updates. When needed, you can always turn background apps back on to restore full functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off background apps affect Windows updates or security features?

No, core Windows processes like updates and security features run independently and won’t be affected by these background app settings.

Can I turn off background apps for Microsoft Store apps only?

Yes, the Apps & features settings usually list Microsoft Store apps, letting you manage their background permissions individually.

Does disabling background apps improve gaming performance?

Disabling unnecessary background apps can free up system resources, which may help improve gaming performance, especially on less powerful PCs.