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10 Tech How-To

How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 10

Guide 10-12162 · Updated · Step by step

Background apps in Windows 10 keep running even when you close them, consuming CPU, memory, and battery life. Disabling them can speed up your PC, extend laptop battery life, and reduce data usage. This guide shows you the two main ways to turn off background apps: through the Settings app and via the Registry Editor for more control.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 10 PC with administrator access (for the Registry method).
  • Basic familiarity with navigating Windows settings.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Disable All Background Apps via Settings

  1. Click the Start button (Windows logo) in the bottom-left corner.
  2. Click the gear icon to open Settings.
  3. Select Privacy.
  4. In the left sidebar, scroll down and click Background apps.
  5. Under “Background apps,� you’ll see a toggle that says “Let apps run in the background.� Turn this toggle Off to disable background running for all apps.

Method 2: Disable Individual Apps via Settings

  1. Follow steps 1–4 above to reach the Background apps page.
  2. You’ll see a list of apps with individual toggles. Scroll through and turn Off the toggle next to any app you don’t want running in the background.
  3. Leave toggles On for apps you need, like Mail or Messaging, if you want them to receive notifications.

Method 3: Disable Background Apps via Registry (Advanced)

This method gives you finer control, especially for apps that don’t appear in Settings. It requires editing the Windows Registry, so proceed carefully.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
  3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy.
  4. If the AppPrivacy key doesn’t exist, right-click on Windows, select New → Key, and name it AppPrivacy.
  5. Right-click in the right pane, select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  6. Name it LetAppsRunInBackground.
  7. Double-click the new value, set its data to 2 (which means “Deny� for all users), and click OK.
  8. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC for the change to take effect.

Common Mistakes

  • Turning off all background apps blindly – Some apps (like email or messaging) may stop showing notifications, and certain system utilities might not work correctly.
  • Confusing “Background apps� with “Startup apps� – Background apps run after they’re opened; startup apps launch when Windows boots. Disabling background apps doesn’t stop startup programs.
  • Using the Registry without backing up – A wrong registry edit can cause system instability. Always export the key before modifying it.
  • Forgetting to restart after Registry changes – Some changes only take effect after a reboot.

Tips

  • Use the Battery usage page (Settings → System → Battery) to see which apps are using the most battery in the background, then disable only those.
  • If you rely on live tiles (like Weather or News), disabling background apps may stop them from updating.
  • For a quick check of what’s running, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look under the “Processes� tab. You can right-click any app and select “End task� to stop it immediately.
  • If you want to keep notifications from a specific app, leave its background toggle on.

Troubleshooting

Background apps still running after disabling them – Some system services and certain Microsoft Store apps may ignore the setting. Check if the app has its own “run in background� option in its settings. For stubborn apps, use the Registry method to enforce the policy.

Can’t find “Background apps� in Settings – This page is only available on Windows 10 version 1709 or later. If you’re on an older build, update Windows. Alternatively, use the Registry method.

Registry edit doesn’t work – Ensure you’re editing the correct registry key and that the value name is spelled exactly LetAppsRunInBackground. Also, the policy might be overridden by Group Policy if you’re on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise. Check with your system administrator.

System performance hasn’t improved – Disabling background apps may not dramatically speed up a PC that’s slow due to other issues like low RAM or a failing hard drive. Use Task Manager to identify other resource hogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling background apps affect my notifications?

Yes, apps that rely on background running to fetch notifications (like email or social media) may stop showing them until you open the app.

Can I re-enable a single app after turning off all background apps?

Yes, go back to Settings → Privacy → Background apps and turn on the toggle for that specific app. The global setting only turns off all at once; individual toggles still work.

Does this save battery life on a laptop?

Yes, especially if you disable apps that frequently sync or update in the background. The effect varies depending on the number and type of apps.

What’s the difference between “Background apps� and “Startup apps�?

Background apps run after you open them, even when you close the window. Startup apps launch automatically when Windows starts. They are controlled separately.

Is it safe to disable all background apps?

Generally yes, but some system apps like “Windows Search� or “Settings� might not function fully. It’s best to disable only third-party apps you don’t need.

Will this affect Windows updates?

No, Windows Update runs as a system service, not as a background app. Disabling background apps won’t stop updates.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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