Windows 10 Tip: How To Disable App from Running Background

Out of the box, Windows 10 allows built-in apps as well as UWP apps to run not only front but background as well. For example, the Mail app that comes with Windows 10 runs in the background by default so it keeps checking new emails and delivering notifications when a new email arrives.

While it’s a good feature, when over-used with all the apps installed from Store it could over-whelming the system and make the system slower. Or, it could drain the battery faster than usual on laptops with all these apps.

Well, if this concerns you or you are experiencing a slower performance, here is a setting in Windows 10 now that lets you prevent all apps from running background.

Open Settings app, go to Privacy > Background apps and switch the option under Background apps section to off.

Once it’s set off, all apps can only be run when it’s brought to the front or launched. No more apps allowed to be run at the back.

Alternatively, you can still allow Background apps to run but disable those that don’t necessary to be run at all time, such as Calculator, Camera, or Bubble Witch 3 Saga apps listed in the screenshot.