How to prevent apps from running in the background on Windows 11

 

Windows 11 contains dozens of applications that are pre-installed with the start of using the system. These applications are known as "Bloatware", as they are applications from Microsoft that help users easily accomplish various tasks. But in Windows 11, all of these apps that are installed by default have permission to run in the background so you can always view new events and notifications; But even if you never open them, these apps will still run in the background and continue to drain battery power and device resources from the processor, RAM, hard drive, and of course the Internet. But you can always control these applications and prevent them from even running in the background. In this topic, we will show you the available methods to do this.

 

Initially, keep in mind that preventing a specific application from running in the background does not mean removing it from your computer. Rather, the application will work normally and very normally when you open it and use it, but what will happen is that once you finish working and close this application, it will not continue to work in the background, but will be permanently closed until you open it again to see the developments of the application and its use in general.

 

Method 1: Modify apps settings

 

In Windows 10, it was possible to know all the applications running in the background from one place within the Settings application, but the matter changed slightly in Windows 11, where you need to change the settings of each application separately to prevent it from running in the background, knowing that the applications that you are allowed to change their settings are Only applications downloaded from the Microsoft Store. So, all you have to do at first is open the Settings application in Windows 11, whether by pressing the Win + I keys together or through the Start menu, then go to the “Apps” section from the side menu, then click on “Apps and features” A list of all programs and applications installed on the device will appear.

 

Now scroll through the list and select the app you want to prevent from running in the background. Once you find it, press the menu button (…) in front of the app name, and choose "Advanced options". On the page that appears in front of you, scroll down to the “Background apps permissions” section, and here click on the “Let this app run in the background” menu and select the “Never” option from it. As such, the app will not run in the background again, but you need to apply the same steps for all other apps that you want to prevent from running in the background.

 

Method 2: Enable Battery Saver Mode

 

You can also use the "Battery saver" mode of Windows 11, which performs several measures to extend battery life, including preventing any applications from running in the background to limit the processes that drain battery power. This mode is activated automatically when the battery level drops to 20%, but you can activate it manually by pressing the Action Center part in the taskbar and then pressing the Battery saver option (as shown in the image above). This mode is especially useful if You don't mind apps running in the background permanently, but just want to prevent them to save power when you need more battery life.

 

Method 3: Block all Windows apps from running in the background

 

To specifically prevent Windows apps from running in the background, you'll need to use the Group Policy Editor tool built into Windows that allows the Administrator Account to control Windows features, apps, and even services. This tool is only available in Pro and Enterprise versions. Anyway, all you need to do is press Win + S, type "group policy" in the search field, and then press Open to bring up the Local Group Policy Editor window. Then go to the following path:

 

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\App Privacy​

 

After pressing "App Privacy", scroll down on the right side until you find a function called "Let Windows apps run in the background", double-click it, then in the window that appears, select the "Enabled" option and in the part called "Options" Click on the "Default for all apps" menu and select "Force Deny" to force apps to prevent running in the background. When you're done, click OK and close the Local Group Policy Editor window.