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Windows 11 has more than one kind of “background app,” so the right fix depends on what you want to stop. A Store app can be denied background permission in Settings. A traditional desktop program may need its own setting or a startup entry disabled. A process that is already running can be closed from Task Manager, but that is only a temporary stop.
Use the per-app Settings method first. It is the safest option when you want to stop one app without affecting everything else.
Stop one app from running in the background
On current Windows 11 versions, the most reliable per-app route is through Installed apps:
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- Go to Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the app you want to restrict. You can use the search box to avoid scrolling through the list.
- Select the app’s More options button, shown as ….
- Choose Advanced options.
- Under Background app permissions, open Let this app run in background.
- Select Never.
Never prevents the supported app from running in the background when you are not using it. That also means the app cannot deliver background notifications or perform background updates while it is inactive.
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What the three choices mean
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Always | Allows background activity, notifications, syncing, and updates. |
| Power optimized (recommended) | Lets Windows decide when the app may run in the background. It can still allow periodic activity, notifications, or updates. |
| Never | Stops the app from running in the background when it is not being used, including its background notifications and updates. |
Microsoft documents these options in its guide to Windows background apps and privacy.
If the Advanced options link is missing
Not every installed app exposes background-permission controls. If Advanced options does not appear for an app, Windows is not offering this control for that app through the Installed apps page.
This is common with conventional desktop programs installed from a website or physical media. Microsoft describes these as desktop apps, typically launched through .EXE or .DLL files. The Windows background-app permission setting is primarily for Microsoft Store and UWP-style apps; it is not a universal control for every program on the computer.
For a desktop program, open the program itself and inspect its settings. Look for options such as:
- Start with Windows
- Launch at startup
- Continue running when the window is closed
- Minimize to the notification area
- Run in the background
Turn off the relevant option, then fully exit the program if it is still running.
Use the battery settings route
On a Windows 11 laptop or tablet with a battery, you can sometimes manage an app from its battery-usage entry:
- Open Settings.
- Go to System > Power & battery.
- Expand Battery usage.
- Under Background usage per app, find the app.
- Select the app’s … button.
- Choose Manage background activity.
- Set Let this app run in background to Never.
The battery page is available only on devices with a battery, and it does not offer Manage background activity for every app. If the command is absent, use Apps > Installed apps instead—or use the program’s own settings if it is a desktop app.
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Turn off background activity for most supported apps
Some Windows 11 installations still show Microsoft’s older global control:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Privacy & security > Background apps if that page is present on your system.
- Under Background Apps, turn Let apps run in the background Off.
Microsoft’s support documentation also describes an alternative on that page: leave the global control on, then use Choose which apps can run in the background to turn individual apps or services off.
However, this page is not present on every Windows 11 build, edition, or device. If you cannot find it, that does not mean the feature is broken. Use the per-app path at Settings > Apps > Installed apps > … > Advanced options.
This global switch applies to supported Windows apps, not conventional desktop programs. It will not stop every process shown in Task Manager.
Close apps that are running right now
Changing a background permission does not necessarily terminate a process that is already active. To close the current instance:
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- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- If Task Manager opens in its compact view, select More details.
- Stay on the Processes tab and look under Background processes.
- Select the app or process.
- Choose End task.
Use care when ending a process you do not recognize. Windows components, security software, drivers, and other programs may appear as background processes. Ending the wrong process can close an app, interrupt a task, or cause a temporary system problem.
End task is temporary. It closes the current process but does not change the app’s background permission. The program may return when it starts with Windows, when another program launches it, or when its own service or scheduled behavior runs.
Stop an app from launching with Windows
If the app returns after you close it, check its startup entry:
- Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Select Startup apps in the left sidebar.
- Choose the app.
- Select Disable.
This prevents that startup entry from launching with Windows. It does not necessarily disable every background mechanism used by the program. A desktop app may still have its own background setting, Windows service, scheduled task, or another startup method.
For that reason, a practical sequence for a desktop program is:
- Turn off Start with Windows or a similar option inside the program.
- Disable its entry under Task Manager > Startup apps.
- Use End task to close the copy that is currently running.
Apply a background-app restriction with Group Policy
Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education include Local Group Policy Editor. Windows 11 Home does not include it by default.
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To force supported Windows apps not to run in the background:
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- Type
gpedit.mscand press Enter. - Go to:
Computer Configuration
> Administrative Templates
> Windows Components
> App Privacy - Open Let Windows apps run in the background.
- Set the policy to Enabled.
- Set Default for all apps to Force Deny.
- Select OK.
This forces supported Windows apps to the equivalent of Never and removes ordinary per-app user control. It is more appropriate for managed PCs or organizations than for a personal computer where you only want to restrict one or two apps.
Group Policy affects supported Windows apps, not every conventional desktop program. Enterprise policy can also override background settings for particular apps, which may explain why a control is unavailable or cannot be changed.
Which method should you use?
| Goal | Best method | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Stop one supported app in the background | Settings > Apps > Installed apps > … > Advanced options, then Never | Some apps do not expose the control. |
| Reduce background activity across supported apps | Privacy & security > Background apps, if available | It does not control desktop apps and may be absent on your build. |
| Stop an app immediately | Task Manager > Processes > End task | The app can relaunch later. |
| Prevent a startup launch | Task Manager > Startup apps > Disable | It does not cover services, scheduled tasks, or all app-specific behavior. |
| Enforce a rule for supported Windows apps | Group Policy > App Privacy > Force Deny | Requires Pro, Enterprise, or Education and affects users broadly. |
What happens after you disable background activity?
The app should continue to work when you open it normally. What changes is what it can do while you are not using it. Depending on the app, you may stop receiving notifications, automatic synchronization, or background updates until you launch it again.
Windows also applies resource limits to background applications: foreground apps receive more memory and execution time, while background apps receive less. Restricting background activity can still be useful for a distracting app, an unwanted notifier, or a program that consumes battery or network data.
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Why can’t I find Background apps in Windows 11 Settings?
The older Settings page is not shown on every Windows 11 build or device. Try Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the app’s … button, and open Advanced options. If that link is also missing, Windows does not expose background control for that app through Settings.
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Does setting an app to Never uninstall or disable it?
No. It prevents the supported app from running in the background when you are not using it. You can still open and use the app normally.
Does Power optimized stop an app completely?
No. Power optimized lets Windows decide when background activity is appropriate. The app may still perform periodic syncing, send notifications, or install updates.
Why is an app still running after I disabled background activity?
The process may already have been running, may be a desktop program outside Windows’ background-app controls, or may be started by a startup entry, service, or scheduled task. Use Task Manager to inspect the process and the Startup apps tab to check startup behavior.
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No. End task closes the current process only. It does not change permissions or startup settings, so the app can relaunch.
Can I control desktop apps with the global background-app switch?
No. Microsoft’s background-app controls primarily apply to Store/UWP-style apps. Desktop programs installed through an EXE or DLL generally require their own background settings or Windows startup controls.
What if I need background notifications from an app?
Leave its setting at Always or Power optimized instead of Never. Never prevents background notifications and updates while the app is not being used.
The Bottom Line
For one supported app, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > … > Advanced options and set Let this app run in background to Never. Use Task Manager’s End task only when you need to close the current process, and disable Startup apps when the program keeps launching with Windows. For traditional desktop software, check the program’s own settings—Windows’ background-app switch does not control every program.
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