Stop Windows 10 Apps Running in Background - Guide
Background App Permissions in Windows 10
Windows 10 applications are granted permission to operate in the background, enabling features like live tile updates, data synchronization, and notification delivery.
This background activity, however, can contribute to battery drain, even when the applications are not actively in use.
Controlling Background App Activity
Users retain control over which applications are permitted to run in the background. This allows for optimization of system resources and battery life.
It’s possible to restrict background processes even for applications you frequently utilize.
Unnecessary Background Processes
Certain universal Windows apps may be granted background execution privileges by default, despite offering limited utility.
For instance, the "Get Office" application, primarily designed to prompt users about Microsoft Office purchases, is often authorized to run in the background unnecessarily.
Managing these permissions ensures that only essential applications consume system resources while operating in the background.
Managing Background App Activity in Windows
Related: Understanding Battery Drain from Applications in Windows 10.
Applications with background execution permissions are visible on the battery usage screen, providing an estimate of their power consumption. However, proactive disabling of unused apps is recommended to conserve resources.
To review and modify background app permissions, access the Start menu or Start screen and navigate to "Settings." Within the Settings window, select the "Privacy" icon.
Scroll to the bottom of the privacy settings and choose "Background apps." A list of applications with background access will be displayed, each accompanied by an "On/Off" toggle. By default, most apps are configured to run in the background.
Switch the toggle to "Off" for any application you wish to prevent from background operation. It’s important to consider the implications of this change.
Disabling background access for certain apps can affect their functionality. For instance, preventing the Alarms app from running in the background may result in missed alarms. Similarly, the Mail app will not provide immediate notifications for new emails if background access is denied. Apps utilize background processes for tasks like live tile updates, data synchronization, and delivering notifications.
If these features are important to you, maintain background access permissions. Otherwise, feel free to disable background activity for the app. The application remains fully functional upon launch, though data retrieval may experience a slight delay.
Extending Battery Life: Preventing Background App Activity with Battery Saver
Related information can be found in: A guide to utilizing and configuring Windows 10’s Battery Saver Mode.
Employing Battery Saver mode is an effective method to achieve this goal. When activated, this mode restricts applications from operating in the background, except for those you explicitly permit. This conserves system power.
By default, Battery Saver mode engages automatically when the battery level reaches 20%. However, it can also be manually initiated by selecting the battery icon within the notification area and then clicking the "Battery saver" quick settings tile.
This feature proves especially beneficial when background app functionality is generally acceptable, but power conservation becomes critical in specific situations.
Customizing Battery Saver Settings
Further customization of Battery Saver mode is possible through the Settings application. Navigate to the Settings app, then select "System," followed by the "Battery saver" category, and finally click the "Battery saver settings" link.
While Battery Saver mode is active, applications are prevented from running in the background unless they are specifically added to the "Always allowed" list within these settings.
Addressing Desktop Application Behavior
Related: Optimizing Windows 10 Boot Times
It's important to note that the aforementioned settings do not govern the operation of conventional Windows desktop applications. These configurations exclusively impact Windows 10's modern, mobile-inspired universal applications – initially termed "Metro" apps in Windows 8. Windows 10 provides greater oversight of these newer app types.
Consequently, managing background activity for desktop applications necessitates a more traditional approach. Simply closing desktop applications when they are not in use is the primary method. Furthermore, verify that applications aren't concealed within the notification area and executing silently in the background.
To view all icons residing in the system tray, click or tap the arrow positioned to the left of it. Then, right-click on any unwanted applications and select the option to close them. The Startup tab within Task Manager also allows you to disable automatic loading of these background applications upon system login.
Further Considerations: Uninstalling Universal Apps
If you find the newer universal apps undesirable, it is possible to uninstall many of Windows 10’s pre-installed applications. However, this is not an officially supported feature, and Windows 10 may automatically reinstall these apps following their removal.
Therefore, a more practical solution is to prevent these apps from running in the background, unpin their tiles from the Start menu, and minimize their visibility. This approach offers a more stable and less disruptive experience.
