Why you might want to disable background apps

Background apps are programs that keep running even when you are not actively using them. They consume battery power on laptops, use your internet connection, and take up memory that your computer could use for the programs you are actually working with. Disabling the ones you do not need is one of the fastest ways to speed up a slow computer.

Windows 11 comes with several background apps enabled by default — things like weather updates, news feeds, and app notifications. You can turn off any of these without breaking your system. The worst that happens is an app stops sending you notifications until you turn it back on.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Apps, then App Permissions, then Background App Permissions to see which apps are running in the background.
  • Toggle off any app you do not use regularly — the switch turns gray when disabled.
  • Disabling background apps does not uninstall them; you can turn them back on anytime.
  • Some apps like antivirus software and cloud storage should stay enabled so they can protect your files and sync changes.
  • Check your background apps once every few months, because Windows updates sometimes re-enable them.

How to open the background apps settings

Start by opening the Settings app. The fastest way is to press the Windows key and the letter I at the same time. A window labeled Settings will open.

On the left side of the Settings window, click Apps. Then click App Permissions. Scroll down the list on the right side until you see Background App Permissions and click it. You will now see a list of every app that can run in the background on your computer.

Turning off individual background apps

Scroll through the list and look for apps you recognize but do not use. Common ones that people disable are Weather, News, Cortana, and Spotify. Next to each app name is a toggle switch — it looks like a button that slides left and right.

Click the toggle next to any app you want to disable. The switch will turn gray, and the app will stop running in the background. You can disable as many as you want. If you change your mind later, just click the toggle again to turn it back on.

Do not disable apps you are unsure about. If you do not recognize an app name, leave it alone — it may be part of Windows itself or something you need without realizing it.

Apps you should usually keep enabled

Some background apps do important work even when you are not looking at them. Your antivirus software needs to run in the background to protect your computer. Cloud storage apps like OneDrive need to run in the background to sync your files. Email apps need to run in the background to fetch new messages.

If you use a program regularly — even if you do not have it open right now — it is usually safer to leave its background permission on. The battery and memory savings from disabling one app are small. The inconvenience of missing notifications or having files fall out of sync is larger.

What to do if an app keeps re-enabling itself

Sometimes after a Windows update, background app permissions reset and apps you disabled turn back on. This is normal. You can disable them again using the same steps — open Settings, go to Apps, then App Permissions, then Background App Permissions, and toggle off the ones you do not want.

If a specific app keeps turning itself back on and you want it to stay off permanently, you can uninstall it instead. Right-click the app name in your Start menu and select Uninstall. This removes it from your computer entirely, so you will need to reinstall it if you ever want it back.

How much faster will your computer be

Disabling background apps will not transform a slow computer into a fast one. If your computer is struggling, the real culprits are usually a full hard drive, too many browser tabs open, or a program that is using all your processor power. You can check what is actually slowing you down by opening Task Manager — press Ctrl, Shift, and Escape at the same time — and looking at the CPU and Memory columns.

That said, disabling background apps does help. If you disable five or six apps you never use, you might free up 200 to 500 megabytes of memory and a small amount of processor power. On an older computer or a laptop running on battery, that can make a noticeable difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling background apps break Windows 11?

No. You can disable any background app without damaging your system. The worst outcome is that an app stops sending you notifications or updates until you turn it back on. If something goes wrong, you can always turn the app back on.

Can I disable Windows Update from running in the background?

Windows Update does not appear in the Background App Permissions list because it is a core part of the operating system. You should not disable it — your computer needs updates to stay find. If you want to control when updates install, go to Settings, System, About, and look for Advanced Options.

What if I do not recognize an app in the background list?

You can search for the app name online to find out what it does. If it came with Windows, it is usually safe to leave alone. If it is something you installed and never use, disabling it is fine. You can always turn it back on if you need it.

Do I need to restart my computer after disabling background apps?

No. The changes take effect when ready. You do not need to restart Windows or close any programs.

Why is my antivirus app not in the background apps list?

Some security software uses a different system to run in the background and does not show up in this list. Check your antivirus program's own settings to see if it has an option to run in the background. It should be enabled by default.