I can tell you an easy way to see what background stuff is running on your system, it's called task manager. Windows 11 task manager has a list called 'background processes', I'm looking at it right now, and can see things that are on but aren't open, things windows itself is running, and other stuff. The only drawback is it doesn't tell you more details then that, like the publisher or what user/service started it, but if you want anything more detailed process explorer can tell you that, and if the process/app is set to automatically start/restart it'll do that if you kill it. I've used it for years even before it showed background processes to kill problematic apps, though for a while process explorer was my go to until task manager added minor functions it was lacking. Answer from crlcan81 on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/windows11 › is there a less painful way to identify and turn off background apps?
r/Windows11 on Reddit: Is there a less painful way to identify and turn off background apps?
June 2, 2024 -
My Googling about how to turn off background apps has yielded this advice:
"To disable background apps in Windows 11, open the Settings app and navigate to the Apps tab. Then, select the app you want to disable, go to Advanced options, and choose "Never" under Background Apps Permissions."
There are like 10 thousand apps in the Apps tab. The thought of selecting every app, one by one, and going through all the rigamarole that is required to turn off background permissions makes me want to hurl myself out a window. It is simply an unthinkable task. (It makes one wonder if this is perhaps by design.)
Is there no other way to accomplish the goal?? Please be my hero and advise. Many thanks.
(Also, even if I could just view a list of what apps are running in the background, that would be helpful.)
Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › windows-background-apps-and-your-privacy-83f2de44-d2d9-2b29-4649-2afe0913360a
Windows background apps and your privacy - Microsoft Support
Under Background Apps, make sure Let apps run in the background is turned Off.
How do I disable unnecessary background apps and services to improve system performance?
I am using microsoft 11 OS and facing issues while using it at my Cambridge Creation lab's office. Internet is very high speed but due to some background apps system is running too slow. How I can Fix it for high performance ? More on learn.microsoft.com
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January 29, 2025Windows 11 Background Apps Issue
Whenever I am watching Youtube on chrome, or in a call on Discord and i am tabbed into another application and go to tab back, its as if the application is unloaded, and i need to wait like 2 seconds, or sometimes click on the screen to have the… More on learn.microsoft.com
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October 10, 2024How can I disable useless background processes?
How can I disable useless background processes? Specifically, which do you consider useless ? More on reddit.com
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December 13, 2022How do I disable ALL background apps on my Windows 11 PC?
There is likely nothing wrong with your PC, but there is something wrong with his. There are hundreds of background processes required for a PC to function properly, many of these processes make your PC work faster and improve usability. I just fired up task manager on mine, I have 326 processes running right now. More on reddit.com
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September 16, 2023Videos
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Eleven Forum
elevenforum.com › windows support forums › tutorials
Enable or Disable Background Apps in Windows 11 | Windows 11 Forum
November 21, 2025 - This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable let apps run in the background for your account or all users in Windows 11. In Windows 11, you can use apps that can continue to perform actions even when you are not actively in the app’s window. These are commonly called background apps...
How-To Geek
howtogeek.com › home › windows › how to disable background apps in windows 11
How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 11
November 11, 2023 - Press the Start menu and click the "Settings" icon, or use the Windows+i key combination to open the Settings app. Navigate to the "Apps" tab in the left pane and click "Installed apps."
Microsoft Community Hub
techcommunity.microsoft.com › microsoft community hub › communities › products › windows › windows 11
How to Disable Background Apps Windows 11 | Microsoft Community Hub
September 22, 2021 - Disable Background Apps in the Settings app1. Launch the Windows Settings app.2. Click "Apps" on the left sidebar,...
Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 2152685 › how-do-i-disable-unnecessary-background-apps-and-s
How do I disable unnecessary background apps and services to improve system performance? - Microsoft Q&A
January 29, 2025 - ... Select the Start button, then select Settings > Apps > Startup . Open Startup Apps settings · In the Startup Apps area, find the program you want to stop from starting automatically and set it to Off.
Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 3967816 › windows-11-background-apps-issue
Windows 11 Background Apps Issue - Microsoft Q&A
October 10, 2024 - **1. Disable Game Mode.**Windows 11's Game Mode can prioritize gaming performance, but it might cause background applications to behave unexpectedly. Try disabling it: Open Settings. Go to Gaming > Game Mode.
Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › manage-background-activity-for-apps-in-windows-4f32dffe-b97c-40e8-a790-3ca10373a1ef
Manage background activity for apps in Windows - Microsoft Support
Windows lets you control background activity for supported apps so you can reduce power consumption and improve battery life.
Lifewire
lifewire.com › stop-background-programs-windows-11-7775515
How to Stop Programs Running in the Background in Windows 11
September 15, 2023 - Scroll down to Background apps permissions, and select Never from the drop-down menu. The default option is Power optimized (recommended). If you choose this option, Windows will decide what’s best to help save the most power while still allowing ...
Eleven Forum
elevenforum.com › windows support forums › apps and software
How to turn off background apps 23H2 | Windows 11 Forum
October 19, 2024 - Not all apps have this feature. Go to Apps, installed apps and go through them. For example 'Copilot'. Click on the 3dots and select 'Advanced options'; apps only with this option works. Select 'let this app run in the background'. Select never.
MakeUseOf
makeuseof.com › home › windows › how to disable background apps in windows 11
How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 11
October 6, 2023 - While Windows can intelligently manage and power-optimize background apps, it can still drain your battery and increase data usage. Fortunately, Windows lets you change the background permission for individual Microsoft Store apps. Here we show you how to disable individual or all background apps in Windows 11.
Windows Report
windowsreport.com › windows 11 › how to › how to turn off background apps in windows 11
How to Turn Off Background Apps in Windows 11
December 3, 2025 - Some users are interested to disable background apps in Windows 11 because it seems like they can slow down the PC performance. The easiest way to perform this action is through the Settings menu. Task Manager allows you to disable traditional desktop programs from running in the background. To turn off specific background apps, the Local Group Policy Editor can also support you.
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › techtips › disable-background-apps-in-windows-11
How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 11? - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - ... Step 1: Open Task Manager, To open Task Manager, right-click at the taskbar, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Step 2: Go to the Startup tab on the Task Manager window then find the app which runs in the background and has to be disabled.
YouTube
youtube.com › guiderealm
How To Disable Background Apps On Windows 11 - Full Guide - YouTube
I show you how to disable background apps on windows 11 and how to stop background apps in windows 11 in this video. For more videos like this then please le...
Published June 24, 2024 Views 222K
Winaero
winaero.com › home › windows 11 › windows 11 disable background apps
Windows 11 Disable Background Apps
August 11, 2021 - Unfortunately, Windows 11 does not include an option in Settings to turn off the background work for all apps with a single kill switch. However, while the GUI option is not present, this still can be done with a Registry tweak.
Pureinfotech
pureinfotech.com › home › how to disable background apps on windows 11
How to disable background apps on Windows 11 - Pureinfotech
3 weeks ago - Under the “Background apps permissions” section, use the “Let this app run in the background” setting and select the Never option. Quick note: The default option is “Power optimized,” meaning that Windows 11 will manage the app ...
Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-stop-an-app-from-running-in-the-background-on-Windows-11-without-modify-advanced-settings-start-up-option-or-background-activity-settings-The-app-doesnt-have-advanced-features-or-pop-up-in-startup
How to stop an app from running in the background on Windows 11 without modify, advanced settings, start up option, or background activity settings - Quora
The LG interactive flat panel offers a multi-touch screen, smart viewing, whiteboard software, and more. ... Please click Start—Settings—Privacy—Background apps. On the right side, you will see all the background apps on your computer.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/windows11 › how can i disable useless background processes?
r/Windows11 on Reddit: How can I disable useless background processes?
December 13, 2022 -
I just upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 and I've got 260 programs in the background, and it's really eating away my RAM and CPU. I want to know how I can turn them off.
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How can I disable useless background processes? Specifically, which do you consider useless ?
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As always, just uninstall unnecessary apps. Everything else will optimize and settle down over the first week or two as the new OS performs the necessary new indexing, caching, etc. In other words, don't panic. :)
YouTube
m.youtube.com › live › 5tfECNNp4Cw
How to Disable Background Apps on Windows 11 - 3 Ways
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Published February 18, 2022
MiniTool System Booster
systembooster.minitool.com › home › boost pc › 5 ways – how to turn off background apps on windows 10/11?
5 Ways – How to Turn off Background Apps on Windows 10/11
June 17, 2024 - To disable these background apps and improve the system performance, you can try a piece of PC tune-up software called MiniTool System Booster. This tool aims to enhance the system performance of your computer from all aspects.