Windows background apps and your privacy (2024)

Control whether an appcan run in the background

  1. SelectStart, then select Settings >Apps> Apps & features.

  2. Scroll to the desired app, select More options on the right edge of the window, then select Advanced options.

  3. In theBackground apps permissions section, underLet this apprun in the background, select one of the following options:

Note:You can also manage background activity for appsfrom the battery settings.

Stop an appfrom running in the background

If you don't want to get notifications or updates for anapp when you're not using it, you can set it so it won't run in the background.

  1. SelectStart, then select Settings > Apps> Apps & features.

  2. Scroll to the desired app, select More options on the right edge of the window, then select Advanced options.

  3. In theBackground apps permissions section, underLet this apprun in the background, select Never.

Exceptions to the privacy settings

Desktop apps won’t appear in the App list. To allow or block desktop apps, use the settings in those applications.

Note:How can you tell if an app is a desktop app? Desktop apps are usually downloaded from the Internet or with some type of media (such as a CD, DVD, or USB storage device). They’re launched using an .EXE or .DLL file, and they typically run on your device unlike web-based apps (which run in the cloud). You can also find desktop applications in Microsoft Store.

Control which apps can run in the background

  1. SelectStart, then select Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

  2. Under Background Apps, make sure Let apps run in the background is turned On.

  3. Under Choose which apps can run in the background, turn individual apps and services settings On or Off.

Stop most apps from running in the background

  1. SelectStart, then select Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

  2. Under Background Apps, make sure Let apps run in the background is turned Off.

Exceptions to the privacy settings

Desktop apps won’t appear in your Choose which apps can run in the background list and are not affected by the Let apps run in the background setting. To allow or block desktop apps, use the settings in those applications.

Note:How can you tell if an app is a desktop app? Desktop apps are usually downloaded from the Internet or with some type of media (such as a CD, DVD, or USB storage device). They’re launched using an .EXE or .DLL file, and they typically run on your device unlike web-based apps (which run in the cloud). You can also find desktop applications in Microsoft Store.

Windows background apps and your privacy (2024)
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