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

What happens when you turn off background apps in Windows 10? ›

When you're not actively using the app, it won't run in the background. You won't receive any notifications or updates for the app, but this will help save the most power.

What are Windows background apps? ›

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. You can decide which apps will run in the background, and which won't.

How do I find out what apps are running in the background on Windows? ›

To check background processes on a computer, you can use the following methods: 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.

Should background apps be on or off? ›

Limiting the number of apps that you allow to refresh and run in the background will be beneficial to your phone's battery life. Try turning it off on one of the apps that updates frequently (we're looking at you, Facebook) and see if you experience any improvements.

Should you turn off all background apps? ›

While background apps refreshing don't drain your resources as much as screen brightness and cellular connection, stopping apps from refreshing can help conserve your battery and data for when you really need them.

Should I turn off background apps in laptop? ›

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.

How do I check background activity? ›

Go to Settings > System > Developer Options. If you don't see Developer Options, scroll down and select About phone, then look for Build number and tap it seven times. Tap Running Services. It shows the apps currently running on your Android, how much RAM they're consuming, and how long each has been running.

What does app background activity mean? ›

Background Activity means that most of the app's battery usage — such as playing music or tracking location — happened while the app was in the background. No Cell Coverage and Low Signal means that your device was searching for a signal or being used with a low signal.

How do I clean up apps 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.

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

You could also go to "Task Manager" through the start menu's search bar. If you want to know what apps are running in the background you can use the free Android app "Task Manager". It can be downloaded from Google Play Store.

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 find hidden apps on my computer? ›

Press the Windows key + R to open the run command window. Then type shell:AppsFolder into the text entry box and click OK.

What apps are running in the background Windows 10? ›

Click Start—Settings—Privacy—Background Apps. And the in the right side, you can see all the background apps running in your computer. ctrl+Alt and click Delete>>>task manager >>you will see all.

Which background processes can I end? ›

End these Windows Task Manager processes to make your PC run...
  • How to open Task Manager. Opening your task manager in Windows is super easy. ...
  • End ctfmon.exe. ...
  • End OneDrive.exe. ...
  • End LockApp.exe. ...
  • End NewsAndInterests.exe. ...
  • End GrooveMusic.exe. ...
  • There's one more thing you can do. ...
  • Read More.
Apr 13, 2023

What happens when you stop background apps? ›

Nothing happens unless you touch system applications ! For instance : You have stopped some of the background apps like music , alarm , some other app . They cause nothing , but you need to start them again manually !

What happens when apps are running in the background? ›

Background applications can eat up your battery and utilize the resources. There are some applications which probably won't be optimized well, some might be malicious or have malware, or some applications just have a bug. Don't worry! Closing these background apps just takes a little knowledge.

What does apps running in background mean? ›

Terminology. Some important terms related to background work might be used in multiple, contradictory ways. For this reason, it's important to define our terms. Key Term: An app is running in the background if none of its activities are visible to the user, and the app isn't running any foreground services.

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