How to Enable or Disable Background Apps in Windows 11

Windows 11 lets you decide if apps can run while you aren’t using them. This is called background activity. Managing this helps you save battery life and keep your computer running smoothly.

Why manage background apps?

Apps running in the background use your computer’s memory and battery to sync data or send notifications. If you have too many apps doing this, your laptop battery will drain faster, and your computer might slow down. By limiting these apps, you take control of your system’s resources.

What happens when you change these settings?

When you restrict an app, it will stop checking for new data or sending updates until you open it again. If you set an app to “Always,” it will keep running even when hidden. If you choose “Never,” the app will pause completely until you click on it.

You can choose from three settings:

• Always: The app runs whenever it wants.
• Power optimized (recommended): Windows manages the app to save your battery.
• Never: The app stops running as soon as you close it.

How to change background app settings

You can adjust these settings using the main Windows Settings menu. No special admin privileges are required for these steps.

1. Open your Settings app. You can press the Windows key + I on your keyboard or click Start and then click the Settings icon.

2. Once the Settings window opens, click on Apps in the menu on the left side of your screen.

3. Select Installed apps from the list on the right.

4. Find the app you want to change. Click the three-dot button next to the app name.

5. Select Advanced options from the menu that appears.

6. Look for the Background apps permissions section. Use the dropdown menu to select your preferred setting: Always, Power optimized, or Never.

Your changes take effect immediately. Keep in mind that for some apps to stay updated or receive important alerts, you may need to leave them set to Always or Power optimized.

Summary

Managing background apps in Windows 11 allows you to customize how your computer uses its power. By choosing which apps can run in the background, you can extend your battery life and improve your computer’s performance. For more information, visit Microsoft.com.