Windows 11 allows users to customize their system settings to personalize their computing experience. One such customization is the ability to manage background apps. Background apps are programs that run in the background even when they are not actively being used. By controlling which apps run in the background, users can optimize system performance, improve battery life on laptops, and reduce resource usage. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to change background apps on Windows 11.
Step 1: Click on the Start button located in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar.
Step 2: From the Start menu, click on the "Settings" icon, which resembles a gear.
Step 3: In the Settings window, click on the "System" category.
Step 4: In the left sidebar of the System settings, click on "Apps & features."
Step 5: On the right side of the window, scroll down and click on the "Background apps" option.
Step 6: You will now see a list of apps that are currently allowed to run in the background. To disable an app from running in the background, simply toggle off the switch next to its name.
Step 7: If you want to disable all background apps at once, you can toggle off the switch located at the top of the page that says "Let apps run in the background."
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Improves system performance by reducing resource usage. | 1. Certain apps may require background access for certain features or functionality. |
| 2. Increases battery life on laptops and portable devices. | 2. Disabling background apps for critical system processes may cause stability issues. |
| 3. Provides greater control over system resources. | 3. Some apps may not function properly if background access is disabled. |
By managing the apps that run in the background on Windows 11, you can optimize your system performance and improve battery life. However, it is important to note that some apps rely on background access for certain features or functionality. Therefore, it is recommended to only disable background access for non-essential apps and closely monitor any changes in app behavior after making adjustments.
Video Tutorial:How do I stop certain apps from running in the background?
What is the shortcut for background apps in Windows 11?
In Windows 11, the shortcut for background apps is slightly different from the previous versions. Instead of using a dedicated shortcut key combination, you can now access the background apps feature through the Taskbar settings. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen. A context menu will appear.
2. From the menu, select "Taskbar settings." This will open the Taskbar settings window.
3. In the Taskbar settings, scroll down to find the "System" section.
4. Within the "System" section, locate the "Notification area" option and click on it.
5. On the next screen, click on the "Turn system icons on or off" link.
6. In the list of system icons, find the "Background apps" option and toggle it on or off according to your preference.
7. Once toggled on, you will see an icon for background apps in the system tray on the right side of the Taskbar.
By following these steps, you can easily manage and control the background apps feature in Windows 11 without the need for a specific shortcut key combination.
Please note that the instructions provided are based on the assumption that you are using the official release of Windows 11. If you are using a pre-release or beta version, the steps or options may vary.
How do I manage background apps?
Managing background apps is an important aspect of optimizing your device’s performance and battery life. Here are some steps to effectively manage background apps on your smartphone:
1. Access the App Switcher: On iPhone models with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to access the App Switcher. On iPhone models with a home button, simply double-click the home button to access it.
2. Identify background apps: In the App Switcher, you’ll see a list of recently used apps. These apps may be running in the background, consuming system resources and potentially affecting performance. Swipe left or right to navigate through the list and identify the apps you wish to manage.
3. Force-close unnecessary apps: To close an app, swipe it up or off the top of the screen in the App Switcher. This action terminates the app completely and removes it from the background. However, closing frequently used apps may not always result in performance improvements, as modern operating systems are adept at managing resources efficiently. You can selectively close apps that you know are causing issues or consuming excessive resources.
4. Disable background app refresh: Some apps may continue to run in the background to refresh their content, even when they are not active. To manage this, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Background App Refresh" and selectively disable the feature for apps that you don’t need to update constantly in the background. This can help conserve battery life and reduce data usage.
5. Adjust location access: Many apps request access to your location, and they may continue to use location services even when running in the background. To manage this, go to "Settings" > "Privacy" > "Location Services." Here, you can review which apps have access to your location and choose to allow access only when using the app or disable it entirely for specific apps.
6. Update apps and software: Keeping your apps and iOS up to date ensures you have the latest bug fixes, performance enhancements, and security patches. App developers often release updates to address memory leaks and improve background behavior, so regularly updating your apps can also help in managing background processes effectively.
By following these steps, you can take control of your background apps, streamline your smartphone’s performance, and potentially extend its battery life.
How do I close all running Apps in Windows 11?
Closing running apps in Windows 11 is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Click on the "Task View" button: In the taskbar, next to the Start button, you’ll find an icon that looks like two overlapping rectangles. Click on this icon, or press the Windows key + Tab on your keyboard to open the Task View.
2. View running apps: Once you’re in the Task View, you will see all the running apps and windows displayed in a grid-like view. Each app will have a preview thumbnail.
3. Close individual apps: Hover over the thumbnail of the app you want to close and click on the "X" button that appears at the top-right corner of the preview thumbnail. Alternatively, you can swipe up on the app if you’re using a touch-enabled device.
4. Close all apps: If you want to close all the running apps at once, you can simply click on the "Close All" button located at the top-right corner of the Task View. This will close all the open applications on your Windows 11 system.
Remember that closing an app doesn’t necessarily mean it’s completely terminated. Some apps might continue to run in the background for various reasons. If you want to ensure a particular app is fully closed, you can open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find the desired app in the "Processes" or "Details" tab, and right-click on it to select "End task."
Closing running apps can help optimize system resources and improve overall performance. It’s a good practice to close unnecessary apps regularly, especially if you notice performance issues or want to free up memory for other tasks.
How do I select apps to run in the background?
When it comes to selecting apps to run in the background on your smartphone, there are a few factors you should consider. Here’s a professional point of view on how to make the best choices:
1. Importance: Determine which apps are essential for running in the background based on your usage patterns. For instance, messaging apps like WhatsApp or email clients may be crucial for receiving notifications and staying connected even when you’re not actively using them.
2. Battery Usage: Keep an eye on your device’s battery consumption. Some apps running in the background can significantly impact battery life. Look for apps known for excessive background activity and consider limiting their background usage or replacing them with alternative options that are more power-efficient.
3. Data Usage: Certain applications consume data in the background, which can impact your monthly mobile data cap. Evaluate apps that require constant background syncing or data updates and decide whether it’s necessary or if you can manually check for updates when needed.
4. Privacy and Security: Be cautious of apps that run in the background and require access to sensitive information or have excessive permissions. Regularly check the permissions granted to each app and assess their necessity. It’s always advisable to limit background access for apps that you don’t fully trust.
5. Performance Impact: Older smartphones or devices with limited RAM may experience performance issues if too many apps are running simultaneously in the background. Be mindful of the number of apps you allow to run in the background to maintain optimal device performance.
To configure app background settings:
– On iOS: Open the "Settings" app, go to "General," then "Background App Refresh." You can individually enable or disable background app refresh for each app listed.
– On Android: Settings may vary slightly depending on the device manufacturer. In general, go to "Settings," select "Battery," then "Battery Usage." Here you’ll find a list of apps and their battery usage, as well as the option to control background activity.
Overall, selecting apps to run in the background requires a balance between functionality, power efficiency, data usage, and device performance. Assess your requirements, keep an eye on battery and data consumption, and regularly evaluate app permissions to make informed choices that suit your needs.
What is the shortcut key to see background running apps?
To view background running apps on an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Plus with iOS 16, you can use a simple shortcut key combination. Follow these steps:
1. Unlock your iPhone and go to the home screen.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen. This action triggers the app switcher, which displays the currently running apps.
3. In the app switcher, you can see the thumbnails of the currently running apps arranged in a vertical stack.
4. Scroll through the app thumbnails by swiping left or right to find the desired app. You can preview each app by swiping its thumbnail upwards.
5. To switch to a specific app, tap on its thumbnail. This will bring the app to the foreground, and you can interact with it directly.
Using this shortcut key combination allows you to easily access and switch between background running apps on your iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Plus running iOS 16.
How do I stop unnecessary programs from running in the background?
To stop unnecessary programs from running in the background, follow these steps:
1. Identify the programs running in the background: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows or Command+Option+Esc on Mac to open the Task Manager or Activity Monitor respectively. Look for processes that consume a significant amount of CPU or memory resources.
2. Determine which programs are unnecessary: Review the list of programs running and identify ones that you don’t frequently use or ones that you don’t need running constantly.
3. Disable startup programs: On Windows, click on the "Startup" tab in the Task Manager and disable programs that you don’t want to start automatically when your computer boots up. Similarly, on Mac, go to "System Preferences," click on "Users & Groups," select your username, and click on the "Login Items" tab to remove unnecessary startup programs.
4. Adjust settings within programs: Some programs have their own settings to control background tasks or update checks. Check the preferences or settings within the programs themselves and disable any background processes or automatic updates that you don’t need.
5. Utilize built-in system tools: Both Windows and Mac operating systems offer built-in tools to manage startup programs and services. On Windows, you can use the "System Configuration" tool by searching for it in the Start menu and accessing the "Startup" tab to disable unwanted programs. On Mac, you can use the "Login Items" tab in "Users & Groups" settings or visit the "Extensions" and "Launch Agents" folders in the "Library" directory to manually disable unnecessary items.
6. Use third-party software: There are also third-party applications available that specialize in managing startup programs and background processes. These apps can provide more advanced features such as preventing certain programs from launching altogether or delaying their startup until your computer has fully booted.
By following these steps, you can effectively identify and stop unnecessary programs from running in the background of your computer, which should help improve system performance and reduce resource usage.