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How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 10

Control which supported Windows 10 apps can run in the background, reduce unnecessary activity, and understand which desktop apps are not affected by the Background apps privacy setting.

By ShantanuPublished
  • Applies to Windows 10
  • 2 min read
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Illustration of active and paused background apps beside a laptop.

Windows 10 support status: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. The settings below remain useful on existing Windows 10 installations, including eligible systems using Extended Security Updates, but Windows 10 is no longer in normal free support.

Some Windows 10 apps can continue running in the background to sync data, refresh content, or send notifications. Windows lets you control this behavior for supported apps.

Disable background activity for Store-style apps

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy > Background apps.
  3. To stop most supported apps from running in the background, turn off Let apps run in the background.
  4. To control apps individually, leave the main switch on and turn specific apps off under Choose which apps can run in the background.

Turning background activity off can reduce notifications or prevent an app from syncing until you open it again.

Desktop apps are different

Traditional desktop programs installed as .exe or .msi applications do not necessarily appear in the Background apps list and are not controlled by this privacy setting.

For those programs, use the app’s own settings. Look for options such as:

  • Start with Windows
  • Run in background
  • Keep running when closed
  • Minimize to notification area

Also review startup apps

A program that launches every time you sign in can consume resources even if it is not controlled by the Background apps page.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Open the Startup tab.
  3. Disable only apps you do not need to launch automatically.

Do not disable security, input-device, storage, or hardware-management software unless you understand what it does.

Avoid disabling services just to stop “background apps”

The recovered version of this guide included MSConfig, Group Policy, and Registry methods that broadly disabled background behavior. Those approaches can affect unrelated Windows components and are unnecessary for normal app management.

Use the supported privacy setting, startup settings, or the application’s own controls first.

Official reference

Microsoft: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/windows-background-apps-and-your-privacy

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