Turning off background apps in Windows 11 is one of those little tweaks that can surprisingly make your system run smoother and save some battery juice, especially if you’re juggling multiple programs or using a laptop. Sometimes, apps tend to run in the background without you really realizing it, eating up CPU, RAM, and bandwidth. Not everyone needs every app to be constantly active, so knowing how to shut those down can be a game-changer. This isn’t just about cleaning up your task manager — it’s about optimizing speed, reducing unnecessary energy drain, and hopefully, making your PC feel a bit snappier. So, getting comfortable with the settings might just be worth it.
How to Turn Off Background Apps in Windows 11
Accessing Settings — the usual way to start
This is a fairly simple thing, but not everyone digs into these options all the time. To turn off background apps, you’ll need to head into Settings. The way I usually do it: click the Start button, then click on the gear icon, or just press Windows + I to open Settings directly. That opens a big menu where most of your Windows customizations happen. If it’s not opening right away, double-check your Windows version — sometimes it’s a little different, but barely. The Settings menu is kind of the command center for tuning your PC.
Navigate to Apps & Features
Once inside Settings, click on Apps. From there, you’ll see options like Installed Apps and Default Apps. Look for the section called Apps & features. This is where you get a list of everything installed, including the built-in Windows stuff and third-party software. It’s useful for seeing what might be hogging resources. Sometimes, the “Background apps” toggle is tucked away in here or under privacy settings, so keep an eye out for it.
Find and Manage Background Apps
Scroll down until you find the Background apps section. Trust me, this part is kinda hidden because Microsoft moved it around a few times, but it’s usually under the main menu in Settings > Privacy & Security > Background Apps. If you’re not seeing it there, try going to Privacy & security > Apps permissions > Background apps. Basically, it’s a place where you can toggle apps on or off individually. I’ve noticed that sometimes the options might be blurry or not update immediately; a quick reboot sometimes helps after changing settings.
Disable the apps you don’t need
Now, here’s the fun part: turn off the switches next to apps you rarely need in the background. For example, if you never use the weather widget or certain cloud backup tools when not actively working, disable them. On some setups, this might not seem to make a huge difference at first, but trust me, on others, it’s noticeable. Less background activity means fewer background processes competing for your CPU and memory — kind of weird, but it works. Keep an eye especially on apps like Skype, OneDrive, or Spotify, which tend to run in the background a lot even when you don’t need them.
Just a heads up: for apps like your antivirus or password managers, you might want to leave them enabled unless they specifically state they’re safe to turn off. Also, some games or productivity apps need to run in the background for updates or notifications — disable only the ones you’re sure you don’t need. After you’ve toggled everything off, close Settings and restart your PC to see if things feel snappier.
Tips for Managing Background Apps Easily
- Check your app list once in a while; some apps reinstall or reset their permissions after updates.
- Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to see which processes are still hogging RAM or CPU — sometimes it’s not obvious from the Settings menu.
- Be cautious with apps that are tied to your security or work stuff. Turning off the wrong one could cause issues or reduce protection.
- If you notice your PC is still slow after disabling apps, consider running a quick virus scan or cleaning out startup programs in the Task Manager.
- On metered connections, turning off background data might also help limit data consumption without messing up your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to keep all apps running in the background?
Definitely not. Most apps just sit there doing nothing until you open them. Keeping only essential ones active prevents unnecessary resource drain.
Will turning off background apps boost battery life?
Yeah, especially if your machine is portable. Less background activity means less power consumption, so your battery should last longer.
Can I still get notifications if I turn off background apps?
Not always. Some apps might stop sending notifications if they’re not allowed to run in the background, so decide which notifications are worth it.
How often should I revisit this?
It’s a good idea to check every few months or after big Windows updates, just to make sure nothing sneaked back in or started running in the background again.
Anything risky about disabling apps?
Usually not, but beware of apps that do essential stuff (like malware scanners or VPNs).Turning those off can weaken your security, so keep those enabled if unsure.
Summary
- Open Settings with Windows + I
- Go to Apps & then Apps & features
- Scroll to Background apps in Privacy & Security
- Toggle off apps that aren’t needed
- Restart your PC for the changes to stick
Wrap-up
This little trick of disabling background apps isn’t a magic bullet, but it’s a pretty straightforward way to improve overall system responsiveness and save some battery. Not every app needs to be spamming your CPU, so it’s worth spending a few minutes reviewing what’s running under the hood. Sometimes, it’s those small tweaks that make the biggest difference. Fingers crossed this helps — it’s worked for plenty of setups, so give it a shot and see how your machine feels afterward.