• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Technipages

Smart phone, gadget and computer tutorials

  • Topics
    • Android
    • Gaming
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • iOS
    • MacOS
    • Office
    • Software
    • Windows
    • Definitions
  • Product Reviews
  • Downloads
  • About
Windows 10: Configure Which Apps Can Run in the Background

Windows 10: Configure Which Apps Can Run in the Background

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Mel Hawthorne Leave a Comment

Having your apps continuously check for new messages or notifications in the background can use a fair amount of battery power. One or two apps running in the background don’t really make too much difference to the battery life of a laptop.

You’ll likely think that some apps, such as Skype and other communications apps, are well worth the small reduction in battery life to receive notifications as they come in. However, other apps may not have any valid reason to be allowed to run in the background. This guide will cover how to configure which apps are and aren’t allowed to run in the background in Windows 10.

The allowed background apps can be configured in the Privacy section of the Settings app. To open Settings to the right page, press the Windows key, type “Background apps” and hit enter.

Configure which apps are allowed to run in the background or disable the ability entirely.

There are only two sets of options for background apps. The first setting “Let apps run in the background” is a simple slider. Click it to toggle whether any apps are allowed to run in the background or not. If this setting is set to “Off”, any app-specific settings will be overridden.

Tip: You can only disable the ability to run in the background for Windows Store apps. Third-party apps downloaded from the internet cannot be configured in this way. Consider closing them manually, if you need to save battery life.

Further down the page is a list of all apps installed that can run in the background. You can deny any or all of them permission to run in the background by clicking their slider, to the “Off” position.

Tip: Consider what an app does before disabling its ability to run in the background. For communications apps like Skype, the confidence that notifications will be reliably received while it runs in the background will probably outweigh the potential battery savings. However, for apps like the Photos app or Calculator, there are no real reasons to allow them to run in the background.

You Might Also Like

  • Linux Mint: How to Configure a Background SlideshowLinux Mint: How to Configure a Background Slideshow
  • 4 Free Android Apps to Erase Picture Background4 Free Android Apps to Erase Picture Background
  • Windows 10: How to Configure a Metered ConnectionWindows 10: How to Configure a Metered Connection
  • Windows 10: Configure How Often you are Asked for FeedbackWindows 10: Configure How Often you are Asked for Feedback
  • Windows 10: How to Configure Text ScalingWindows 10: How to Configure Text Scaling
  • Windows 10: Configure Diagnostic DataWindows 10: Configure Diagnostic Data
  • Windows 10: Configure Virtual MemoryWindows 10: Configure Virtual Memory
  • Linux Mint: How to Configure the Titlebar of WindowsLinux Mint: How to Configure the Titlebar of Windows
  • Windows 10: How to Configure Colour Blindness FiltersWindows 10: How to Configure Colour Blindness Filters

Filed Under: Windows Tagged With: Windows 10

Reader Interactions

Did this help? Let us know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Android 10: How to Adjust the Keyboard Size
  • OneNote Error Code 0xE00001AE – Fix
  • WhatsApp: How to Change Your Phone Number
  • Fix OneNote Error 0xe00001bb: Section Is Corrupted
  • Zoom: How to Show the Unread Message Icon
  • How To Calculate Tips on Android
  • What to Do If Chrome Download Needs Authorization
  • Fix OneNote Error 0xE401065D, 0xE000145C, 0xE4010640

Who’s Behind Technipages?

Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

Follow me on Twitter, or visit my personal blog.

You May Also Like

  • 10 Best Speaker Booster Apps
  • 10 Best Android Phone Cleaner Apps in 2019
  • Windows 95/98
  • Microsoft Windows NT
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Top 8 Itunes Alternatives for Windows
  • Windows Media Player (WMP)

© Copyright 2021 Technipages · All Rights Reserved · Privacy