Steps to Stop Programs Running in the Background on Windows 11
Step 1: Task Manager
Task Manager is a built-in utility in Windows that shows the programs running in the background. To access it, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc or right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager. In Task Manager, click the More Details button to show additional information.Step 2: CPU Usage
Check the CPU column on the Processes tab to see the programs utilizing the most CPU. If you find any program using too much CPU, select it and click the End Task button to stop it.Step 3: Memory Usage
Check the Memory column to see programs using too much memory. If you find any program causing high memory usage, select it and click the End Task button.Step 4: Startup Programs
Some unwanted programs start automatically with Windows, which can cause slow performance. To disable startup programs, go to Task Manager, click the Startup tab, and select the program you want to disable. Click the Disable button to stop it from launching at startup.Step 5: Uninstall Unwanted Programs
Unwanted programs can cause slow computer performance. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features to see the installed programs. Select the program you want to uninstall, click the Uninstall button, and follow the on-screen instructions.Step 6: System Configuration
System Configuration is a tool that allows you to disable startup programs, services, and other settings that can slow down your computer. To access it, press Win+R, type msconfig, and click OK. Go to the Services tab, tick the Hide all Microsoft services box, and click Disable all. Go to the Startup tab and disable the programs you don’t need.Step 7: Registry Editor
Note: Editing the registry can cause system damage. Proceed with caution. Registry Editor is a tool that stores settings and options for Windows. To access it, press Win+R, type regedit, and click OK. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, select the program you want to disable, right-click it, and select Delete.Step 8: System Settings
Adjusting system settings can help stop background programs and improve system performance. Go to Settings > System > Focus Assist and choose the Focus assist’s Off option, which stops notifications and other distractions.Step 9: Antivirus Software
Antivirus software can slow down the computer if it’s scanning in the background. To stop the antivirus from running in the background, right-click the antivirus icon on the taskbar and select Disable.Step 10: Windows Updates
Windows updates are essential for security and stability, but they can run in the background, causing slow performance. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced Options > Delivery Optimization and set the slider to Off.Step 11: Power Settings
Power settings can also affect computer performance. Go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep and select the additional power settings. Click Change plan settings, and set the settings to High performance.Step 12: Defragment Drive
Defragmenting the drive can improve computer performance. To access the Disk Defragmenter tool, go to the Start menu and type defragment. Select the tool, choose the drives you want to defragment, and click Optimize.Other Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Disable Visual Effects
Visual effects can make the computer look good, but they can also slow down performance. To disable them, go to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings > Performance > Settings. Choose Adjust for best performance.Tip 2: Update Drivers
Outdated drivers can cause slow computer performance. To update your drivers, go to Device Manager, right-click the device, and select Update Driver.Tip 3: Remove Malware
Malware can cause slow computer performance. To remove it, use an antivirus to scan and remove malware.Tip 4: Use Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a tool that removes temporary files, unwanted files, and other data that is no longer needed. Go to the Start menu and type Disk Cleanup. Select the tool and choose the drive you want to clean up.Tip 5: Disable OneDrive Sync
OneDrive can cause slow computer performance if it’s syncing in the background. To disable it, right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar, select Help & Settings > Settings, go to the Account tab, and uncheck the box next to “Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows.”Tip 6: Use CCleaner
CCleaner is a tool that removes unwanted files, temporary files, and other data that is no longer needed. Download and install CCleaner, select the files you want to remove, and click the Clean button.Tip 7: Use ReadyBoost
ReadyBoost is a feature that allows you to use a USB drive to improve computer performance. Go to Settings > System > About and select the ReadyBoost option.Tip 8: Use System Restore
System Restore allows you to restore your system to a previous working state. Go to the Start menu and type System Restore. Select the tool and follow the on-screen instructions.Tip 9: Reduce Animations
Animations can also slow down performance. Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Other options and set the slider to Off for “Play animations in Windows.”Tip 10: Use an SSD
Replacing your HDD with an SSD can significantly improve computer performance. SSDs have faster read and write speeds, improving data access times. In conclusion, stopping programs running in the background can significantly improve computer performance and speed up various programs. Use the steps and tips above to optimize your computer performance.Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
1. Improving system performance
When you stop programs running in the background, you can free up system resources that can be allocated to other processes. This way, your computer can run faster and more smoothly.
2. Extending battery life
Background programs can consume a lot of battery power, even when you’re not using them. By stopping such programs, you can extend your laptop’s or tablet’s battery life.
3. Reducing memory usage
Background programs can also hog memory, leading to slower system performance and even crashes. By stopping such programs, you can reduce memory usage and avoid these issues.
4. Greater control over your computer
Stopping programs running in the background can give you more control over your computer and make it easier to manage.
5. Improving security
Some background programs can pose security risks by accessing sensitive information or communicating with malicious servers. By stopping these programs, you can improve your computer’s security.
Disadvantages
1. Limiting functionality
Some background programs are essential for certain features or services to work properly, so stopping them may limit functionality or cause issues.
2. Losing data
If you have any unsaved data or work in progress, stopping a program running in the background can result in losing that data unless you save it first.
3. Interrupting updates
Stopping some background programs can uninterruptedly disrupt ongoing updates, leading to incomplete updates or software glitches.
4. Affecting multitasking
Stopping some programs running in the background can affect your ability to multitask, especially if you rely on these programs to keep certain apps working or functioning.
5. Causing system instability
Stopping some programs running in the background can cause system instability plus errors or crashes, making your computer unusable until you restart it.
FAQ
1. What does it mean when a program is running in the background in Windows 11?
When a program is running in the background, it means it is still active but not visible on your screen. It may be using system resources such as memory and CPU even if you’re not actively using it.
2. Why should I stop programs running in the background?
Stopping programs running in the background can free up system resources which can improve your computer’s performance and responsiveness. It can also help extend your battery life on laptops.
3. How can I see what programs are running in the background?
You can see what programs are running in the background in Windows 11 by opening the Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard or right-click the Start menu and select Task Manager. Click the “More details” button to expand the view and see what programs are running.
4. How do I stop a program running in the background from the Task Manager?
To stop a program running in the background from the Task Manager, select it from the list of processes and click “End task” at the bottom right corner of the window. If it’s a program causing issues, you can right-click it and select “End process tree” to stop all related processes.
5. What if I don’t want to stop the program completely?
You can right-click the program in the Task Manager and select “Suspend” to temporarily pause the program’s activity. To resume it, right-click it again and select “Resume.”
6. Can I prevent programs from running in the background automatically?
You can prevent programs from running in the background automatically by changing the settings in Windows 11’s Startup programs list. Open the Task Manager, click the “Startup” tab, and disable any programs you don’t want to run in the background on startup.
7. What if a program keeps running in the background even after I’ve closed it?
If a program keeps running in the background even after you’ve closed it, it may be set to continue running in the background. You can disable this behavior by going into the program’s settings and disabling options like “Keep program running in the background.”
8. Will stopping programs running in the background affect my ability to multitask?
No, stopping programs running in the background should not have any effect on your ability to multitask. It may actually improve your ability to do so by freeing up system resources.
9. Can stopping programs running in the background cause other issues?
If you stop a critical system process, it can cause issues with your computer’s stability and functionality. It’s important to only stop programs you can identify and don’t need running in the background.
10. What if I accidentally stopped a critical system process?
If you accidentally stopped a critical system process, it can cause your computer to crash or become non-responsive. Restart your computer to restore any stopped processes.
11. Can I stop programs running in the background on my phone?
Yes, you can stop programs running in the background on your phone by accessing the app switcher and swiping away any apps you don’t want running in the background. You can also limit or disable background activity for specific apps in your phone’s settings.
12. Will stopping apps running in the background improve my phone’s battery life?
Yes, stopping apps running in the background can improve your phone’s battery life by reducing the amount of resources they use when you’re not actively using them.
13. Can I stop all programs running in the background at once?
No, you’ll need to stop programs running in the background one at a time using the Task Manager. You can also prevent programs from running in the background automatically by adjusting the Startup programs list in Windows 11.
How to Stop Programs Running in the Background on Windows 11
Have you ever noticed that your computer seems to be running slow or that programs are taking a long time to load? This could be due to programs running in the background. When you open a program, it may continue to run after you close it, using up system resources and slowing down your computer. In this article, we will show you how to stop programs running in the background on Windows 11.
The first thing you should do is check which programs are running in the background. To do this, right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager. This will open the Task Manager window, which shows a list of all the programs and processes currently running on your computer.
Next, look for any programs that you don’t need to have running in the background. For example, if you’re not currently using your printer, you can disable the printer software from running in the background. To do this, right-click on the process and select End Task.
If you want to prevent a program from running in the background every time you start your computer, you can disable it from running on startup. To do this, open the Task Manager and go to the Startup tab. Here, you will see a list of all the programs that start up with your computer. Simply right-click on the program you want to disable and select Disable.
Conclusion and Closing
Stopping programs from running in the background can help to improve the performance of your computer and make it run more smoothly. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily identify and disable any unnecessary programs running in the background. Remember to regularly check your Task Manager to ensure that your computer is running efficiently. Thank you for reading and we hope you found this article helpful.
Until next time, happy computing!