Windows background apps and your privacy (2024)

Control whether an appcan run in the background

  1. SelectStart, then select Settings >Apps> Apps & features.

  2. Scroll to the desired app, select More options on the right edge of the window, then select Advanced options.

  3. In theBackground apps permissions section, underLet this apprun in the background, select one of the following options:

Note:You can also manage background activity for appsfrom the battery settings.

Stop an appfrom running in the background

If you don't want to get notifications or updates for anapp when you're not using it, you can set it so it won't run in the background.

  1. SelectStart, then select Settings > Apps> Apps & features.

  2. Scroll to the desired app, select More options on the right edge of the window, then select Advanced options.

  3. In theBackground apps permissions section, underLet this apprun in the background, select Never.

Exceptions to the privacy settings

Desktop apps won’t appear in the App list. To allow or block desktop apps, use the settings in those applications.

Note:How can you tell if an app is a desktop app? Desktop apps are usually downloaded from the Internet or with some type of media (such as a CD, DVD, or USB storage device). They’re launched using an .EXE or .DLL file, and they typically run on your device unlike web-based apps (which run in the cloud). You can also find desktop applications in Microsoft Store.

Control which apps can run in the background

  1. SelectStart, then select Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

  2. Under Background Apps, make sure Let apps run in the background is turned On.

  3. Under Choose which apps can run in the background, turn individual apps and services settings On or Off.

Stop most apps from running in the background

  1. SelectStart, then select Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

  2. Under Background Apps, make sure Let apps run in the background is turned Off.

Exceptions to the privacy settings

Desktop apps won’t appear in your Choose which apps can run in the background list and are not affected by the Let apps run in the background setting. To allow or block desktop apps, use the settings in those applications.

Note:How can you tell if an app is a desktop app? Desktop apps are usually downloaded from the Internet or with some type of media (such as a CD, DVD, or USB storage device). They’re launched using an .EXE or .DLL file, and they typically run on your device unlike web-based apps (which run in the cloud). You can also find desktop applications in Microsoft Store.

Windows background apps and your privacy (2024)

FAQs

Is it good to turn off background apps on PC? ›

Closing programs running in the background on your computer can free up system resources for your other programs. This can resolve problems where your system is running slowly or two programs are trying to use the same device.

What does background apps mean in Windows? ›

In Windows, apps can continue to perform actions even when you are not actively in the app's window. These are commonly called background apps.

How do I close unnecessary apps running in the background? ›

What are the ways to stop apps running in the background?
  1. Unlock your Android device and tap on the Settings icon.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Battery. ...
  3. Tap on Battery usage to see a list of apps and their battery consumption. ...
  4. Select the app you want to restrict.
  5. Tap on Battery and then Background restriction.
Jun 29, 2024

Is it better to close background apps or leave them open? ›

In fact, closing and reopening apps frequently can consume more battery than leaving them open in the background. Additionally, many apps rely on background app refresh to deliver timely updates, so closing them may prevent them from fetching new content.

Is it OK to clear background apps? ›

When the system requires more resources, it will automatically close apps for you. It's simply not something you need to do yourself. Plus, it's a good thing to have apps running in the background. They will launch very quickly when you open them, making your phone feel faster.

Which is a likely reason you would want to turn off a background app? ›

When Background App Refresh is enabled, apps can check for new data and updates even when you're not using them, which can drain your battery and use up your data. Disabling Background App Refresh can help to improve your iPhone's battery life and performance. It can also save you data if you're on a limited data plan.

Should I let the apps be running in the background? ›

Your Android device can run multiple apps in the background for several reasons. Most of the time, it won't cause battery problems or constrain the phone's memory. One factor causing your Android device's battery to drain too quickly is when there are too many apps running.

What apps are running in the background Windows? ›

Using the Task Manager: Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and go to the “Processes” tab. This view will show all the processes currently running on your computer, including those in the background.

Why turn off background data? ›

Restricting background data puts limits on how and when apps update when you're not using them. Turning off background data means apps can refresh themselves only once you launch the app — they won't be able to update in the background at all.

How do I hide what apps are running in the background? ›

Go to Settings>Apps>Application List>Show System Apps (From Menu)>Android System>Notifications>Apps running in backgroundKeep the important as Low. This will work for now. And you can also customize other system notifications here.

How do I stop my PC from consuming much data? ›

What settings should I change to lower data consumption on Windows? Change settings such as turning on metered connection, disabling background apps, and adjusting update settings to lower data consumption.

How to tell what apps are running in the background? ›

Stop apps working in the background:
  1. To open Quick Settings, from the top of the screen, swipe down twice.
  2. To see the number of active apps running in the background: At the bottom left, tap # active apps. Or, at the bottom right, tap the number next to Settings and Power .
  3. To close each active app, tap Stop.

What background processes can I end? ›

Which Background Processes Can I End?
  • Calculator.exe – it's a Windows calculator app process.
  • NewsAndInterests.exe – it is related to the news widget in the Taskbar.
  • gamingservices.exe – it is related to gaming services.
  • OneDrive.exe – you can stop it when OneDrive is not in use.
May 11, 2024

How do I close all apps running in the background on my PC? ›

Methods to Stop Programs from Running in the Background on Windows 10 and 11. Here are four ways to turn off background programs. All steps are available for Microsoft store apps. To manage background activity, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch task manager and disable apps from Startup.

Do background apps slow down PC? ›

Background processes can significantly impact the speed of your laptop. They consume CPU cycles, memory, and other system resources, which can slow down active tasks. If too many processes are running simultaneously, it can lead to system slowdowns or even crashes.

Is it OK to let apps run in background? ›

Your Android device can run multiple apps in the background for several reasons. Most of the time, it won't cause battery problems or constrain the phone's memory. One factor causing your Android device's battery to drain too quickly is when there are too many apps running.

Is it better to have background app refresh off? ›

But if you don't have unlimited data and are willing to wait for your apps to load, turning off background app refresh is a great way to save some mobile data. If you find yourself always borrowing a charger, turning off background app refresh can help you conserve battery, too.

Does disabling background apps increase FPS? ›

Game Mode deactivates background activities like Windows updates and app notifications to help your computer boost FPS in your games. Game Mode is usually enabled by default in the latest versions of Windows 10 and 11. Your computer should be able to detect when you're gaming and prioritize its resources accordingly.

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