Reduce unnecessary app background activity through supported Windows settings. Preserve notifications, synchronization, and essential functions for apps you still use.
Restrict background activity for apps that do not need to run when closed. This can reduce unwanted notifications and background work, but it does not prevent every desktop program or service from running.
Open **Settings** and review installed apps. Identify applications that need background notifications, file synchronization, messaging, or device integration. Restricting these functions may delay updates or prevent alerts from appearing until the app is opened.
Open **Settings > Apps > Installed apps**, select the three-dot menu for a supported app, and open **Advanced options**. If a **Background apps permissions** control is available, review its current setting. Not every application exposes this option.
For apps that do not need background execution, change the available permission to **Never**. The app may stop updating content, syncing, or delivering notifications while closed. You can still launch it manually in most cases.
Open **Settings > Apps > Startup** and turn off unnecessary applications that launch when you sign in. This is separate from background permissions and will not disable a Windows service or every scheduled task. Tray icons and automatic launch features may disappear.
Open the settings of apps that continue working after you close them. Disable optional background sync, auto-launch, or tray behavior if the application offers those controls. This may stop automatic updates or connected-device features.
Restart Windows, then test notifications, cloud files, messaging, and any affected peripherals. If an expected function stops working, restore the permission or app-specific setting that controls it.
The app may be a traditional desktop program or may not expose the supported Windows background permission. Check the app's own settings instead.
Restore the app's background permission if available, re-enable its background sync, and check Windows notification settings.
Check Settings > Apps > Startup and the app's own configuration. Background permission controls do not govern all services, scheduled tasks, or desktop applications.
It may reduce background work, but the impact depends on the app and workload.
No. It restricts supported background activity without uninstalling the application.
You can restrict many apps, but doing so may interrupt notifications, sync, backups, or connected-device features.
Return to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, open the affected app's Advanced options, and restore its previous Background apps permissions setting. Re-enable any required Startup entry under Settings > Apps > Startup and restore app-specific sync settings.
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