How to Stop Background Apps from Slowing Down Your Windows Machine

Is your Windows computer running slower than usual? One of the most common culprits is background apps silently using up your system resources. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a tech expert to take back control and speed up your PC. This guide will walk you through practical steps to identify, manage, and stop background apps from slowing down your Windows machine.

Why Background Apps Slow Down Your PC

When apps run in the background, they consume CPU, RAM, disk space, and sometimes even your internet bandwidth. Over time, the accumulation of these processes—especially from apps you don’t even use regularly—can lead to noticeable slowdowns. Background apps can include:

Messaging tools (like Skype or Teams)
Cloud services (OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.)
Game launchers (Steam, Epic Games)
Update managers
Pre-installed bloatware

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Background Apps

1. Disable Background Apps via Windows Settings

Windows allows you to prevent specific apps from running in the background.

Steps:

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Privacy & security > Background apps (or just search "Background apps" in the Settings search bar).
You’ll see a list of apps that run in the background. Toggle Off for any app you don’t need.

💡 Tip: Apps like Weather, Tips, and Feedback Hub can usually be safely turned off.

2. Use Task Manager to Identify Resource-Hungry Apps

Use Task Manager to spot apps that are using up your CPU, RAM, or disk in real-time.

Steps:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab.
Sort by CPU, Memory, or Disk to see which apps are hogging resources.
Right-click any unnecessary app and click End task.

⚠️ Be cautious—only close apps you recognize and know are non-essential.

3. Disable Startup Programs

Apps that launch on startup can significantly slow boot times and overall performance.

Steps:

Open Task Manager again.
Click the Startup tab.
Right-click and Disable unnecessary programs.

Common apps to disable:

Adobe Reader
Microsoft Teams (unless used daily)
Spotify
OneDrive (if not syncing files regularly)

4. Uninstall Unnecessary Applications

If you're not using certain programs, uninstall them entirely.

Steps:

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Browse the list and uninstall apps you don’t need.

Look out for:

Trial antivirus software
Manufacturer bloatware (like HP Support Assistant, Dell Update)
Old games or tools you never use

5. Turn Off Background Services

Some services run in the background even if the app isn’t open.

Steps:

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
Check Hide all Microsoft services (to avoid disabling essential ones).
Review and uncheck third-party services you don’t need.

Click Apply, then OK, and restart your PC.

6. Use Windows' Built-in Performance Troubleshooter

Steps:

Press Windows + S and search for Troubleshoot.
Select Other troubleshooters.
Run the Performance troubleshooter if available.

This tool helps detect and fix background performance issues automatically.

Bonus Tips for Ongoing Speed Boosts

Keep Windows Updated: New updates often contain performance improvements.
Run Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense: Remove temp files and system clutter.
Install a Lightweight Antivirus: Some antivirus software can slow your system.
Upgrade Your RAM or SSD: If you frequently multitask, a hardware upgrade can drastically improve speed.

Final Thoughts

Background apps may seem harmless, but when left unchecked, they can seriously drag down your Windows PC’s performance. With just a few quick adjustments, you can stop these apps from running unnecessarily, reclaim your system resources, and enjoy a faster, smoother computer.

Take control of your PC today—your future self will thank you.

````Retro-futurism````

Friday, May 30, 2025