How to Put Apps to Sleep in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide for Better Performance

Keeping background apps running on your Windows PC can consume system resources and reduce battery life. Luckily, both Windows 11 and Windows 10 offer options to put apps to sleep or limit their background activity, improving system performance and extending battery life.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through how to put apps to sleep in Windows 11 and Windows 10 using various methods. These steps will include managing background apps, using the power & sleep settings, and utilizing third-party tools for more control.

Why Put Apps to Sleep?

Putting apps to sleep can improve system performance, especially on laptops or PCs with limited resources. It prevents applications from consuming CPU, RAM, and battery when they are running in the background but not actively in use.

Method 1: Using Power & Sleep Settings (Windows 11)

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 provide built-in tools to manage background app activity through power and sleep settings.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to System and click on Power & battery (Windows 11)

Step 2: Manage Background Apps

1. Scroll down to Battery usage (Windows 11).
2. In Windows 11, click Battery usage by app to view the apps running in the background.
3. Find the app you want to manage, then click the three dots … next to the app.
4. Select Manage background activity.

Step 3: Disable Background Activity

1. Toggle off the option that allows the app to run in the background.

This will put the app to sleep, ensuring it does not consume system resources when not actively in use.

Method 2: Managing Background Apps Through App Permissions (Windows 11)

Windows allows you to control which apps can run in the background by managing permissions.

Step 1: Access App Permissions

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I.
2. Go to Apps and then click Apps & features.

Step 2: Select and Configure the App

1. Scroll through the list or search for the app you want to put to sleep.
2. Click on the three dots next to the app’s name, then select Advanced options.

Step 3: Adjust Background Permissions

1. Under the Background apps permissions section, select Never from the drop-down menu to prevent the app from running in the background.

This setting will immediately stop the app from using background resources unless opened manually.

Method 3: Use Battery Saver Mode (Windows 11/10)

Battery Saver mode is another effective way to automatically put apps to sleep when your laptop or tablet battery reaches a certain level. When Battery Saver is enabled, Windows limits background activity and reduces system performance to conserve energy.

Step 1: Enable Battery Saver Mode

1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
2. Navigate to System > Power & battery (Windows 11) or Battery (Windows 10).

Step 2: Enable Battery Saver

1. Toggle Battery Saver on or set it to turn on automatically when your battery falls below a certain percentage.

When Battery Saver is active, most background apps are automatically put to sleep to conserve battery life.

Method 4: Use Task Manager to Manually Suspend Apps (Windows 11)

If you prefer manual control over which apps to suspend, Task Manager offers a direct way to put specific apps to sleep without changing system settings.

Step 1: Open Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. If the Task Manager opens in compact mode, click More details at the bottom to expand it.

Step 2: Select and Suspend an App

1. Navigate to the Processes tab to see all running applications.
2. Right-click the app you want to put to sleep and choose Suspend.

This will temporarily pause the app’s activity, putting it to sleep until you resume it or reopen it.

Method 5: Using Third-Party Tools to Put Apps to Sleep

If you want even more control over which apps run or sleep in the background, third-party tools can help manage app activity efficiently. One popular tool is Process Lasso.

Step 1: Download and Install Process Lasso

1. Download Process Lasso from the official website.
2. Install the tool following the on-screen instructions.

Step 2: Put Apps to Sleep

1. Open Process Lasso and navigate to the Active Processes tab.
2. Right-click the app you want to put to sleep.
3. Select Terminate or configure the app to run with fewer system resources using the ProBalance feature.

Method 6: Manage Startup Apps (Windows 11)

You can prevent certain apps from starting up automatically when you boot Windows, ensuring they don’t run in the background unless opened manually.

Step 1: Access Startup Apps Settings

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I.
2. Navigate to Apps > Startup.

Step 2: Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps

1. Toggle off any apps you do not want to launch automatically during startup.

This reduces the number of apps running in the background right from the start, improving system performance.

FAQs on Putting Apps to Sleep in Windows 11/10

1. What does “putting an app to sleep” mean in Windows?

Putting an app to sleep means suspending its background activity, stopping it from using system resources like CPU, RAM, and battery. The app will remain inactive until you open it again.

2. Will putting apps to sleep affect their functionality?

No, it won’t affect their functionality when you actively use them. However, background tasks (like receiving notifications or syncing data) may be paused until the app is reopened.

3. Can I wake up an app after putting it to sleep?

Yes, when you manually open the app, it automatically resumes normal activity. The app is “woken up” from sleep.

4. Does Windows 11 automatically put apps to sleep?

Windows 11 has built-in power-saving features that automatically limit background activity for certain apps, especially when Battery Saver mode is enabled.

5. How do I stop unnecessary apps from running in the background?

You can control background app permissions by navigating to Settings → Apps → Apps & features. You can disable the background activity for individual apps here.

6. Does putting apps to sleep improve battery life?

Yes, putting apps to sleep reduces CPU, RAM, and battery usage, improving overall battery life on laptops and tablets.

Conclusion

By putting apps to sleep or managing their background activity, you can significantly improve the performance and battery life of your Windows 11 or Windows 10 device. Using built-in features like Power & Sleep settings, Battery Saver, and Task Manager, or using third-party tools, you can control which apps consume system resources and ensure your PC runs smoothly.

If you have any questions or need further help managing background apps, feel free to reach out!