How to Put Apps to Sleep in Windows 10: Boost PC Speed & Battery Life

Ever feel like your computer is dragging its feet, even when you’re not doing much? Well, often, it’s because apps are secretly running in the background, munching on your system’s power and memory. Luckily, Windows 10 gives you a neat trick to rein them in: putting them to sleep. Essentially, you tell certain apps to stop working behind the scenes until you actually open them. This quick guide will walk you through accessing your Windows settings, finding those sneaky background apps, and giving them a much-needed rest. It’s like pressing a digital snooze button for your software, helping your PC feel zippier and perhaps even extending your battery life.

Tutorial – How to Put Apps to Sleep in Windows 10

You know, sometimes your computer feels sluggish, right? A big reason for that is often apps running quietly in the background without you even realizing it. This section will show you how to find those apps and put them to sleep, which means they won’t use up your computer’s brainpower or battery until you decide to open them. It’s a simple process, and I promise, your computer will thank you.

Step 1: Open your Windows Settings.

Your journey begins by clicking on the Start button, which looks like a little window pane, usually in the bottom-left corner of your screen. From there, you’ll want to click the gear icon labeled “Settings.”

This “Settings” window is your control center for a lot of what goes on inside your computer. Think of it as the main dashboard where you can adjust everything from your display settings to your privacy settings. It’s a good place to get familiar with, especially for managing how your apps behave.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Apps” section.

Once you’re in the Settings window, you’ll see a bunch of categories like “System,” “Devices,” and “Network & Internet.” Look for the one labeled “Apps” and click it.

This “Apps” section is designed to help you manage all the software installed on your computer. It gives you a clear overview and control over what’s there and how it functions, making it easy to find what you’re looking for when you want to make changes to an application.

Step 3: Select “Apps & features” from the left menu.

After clicking “Apps,” you’ll usually land right on the “Apps & features” page, but if not, just click it in the menu on the left side of the window. This is where Windows lists almost every application you have installed.

This particular list is incredibly handy because it shows you everything from big programs like video editors to smaller utilities. It’s like an inventory of all your digital tools, letting you see their size and install date, and offering options for managing them.

Step 4: Find the app you want to put to sleep.

Now, scroll down through the list of apps until you find the specific one you want to manage, or use the search bar if you know its name. Once you locate it, click on the app’s name to select it.

You might have a lot of apps listed here, so don’t be afraid to use the search box if you’re looking for something specific. Clicking the app simply highlights it and reveals more options for that particular software.

Step 5: Click on “Advanced options.”

After selecting the app, you’ll see a button appear beneath its name that says “Advanced options.” Go ahead and click this button.

Not every app will have this “Advanced options” button; typically, it’s available for apps you’ve downloaded from the Microsoft Store. These are often called Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, and they’re designed to integrate deeply with Windows 10’s power management features.

Step 6: Adjust the “Background apps permissions.”

Within the “Advanced options,” you’ll find a section called “Background apps permissions.” There’s a dropdown menu here; click on it and choose “Never” from the options.

Choosing “Never” for background apps permissions is the key step to putting an app to sleep. This tells Windows that you don’t want this specific app to run or update in the background when you’re not actively using it, which is perfect for saving resources.

Once you’ve set an app’s “Background apps permissions” to “Never,” that app will no longer consume your computer’s resources, like CPU cycles or battery power, when you’re not actively using it. It’s like closing a book when you’re done reading, rather than leaving it open on your desk. The app will only spring to life when you click its icon to open it, ensuring your computer stays snappier and uses less energy overall.

Tips for Putting Apps to Sleep in Windows 10

• Not all apps can be put to sleep this way: This “Advanced options” method mostly works for apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, also known as Universal Windows Platform apps. Traditional desktop software, like Google Chrome or Adobe Photoshop, usually won’t have this option.
• This is different from closing an app: Putting an app to sleep stops its background activity, but it doesn’t fully shut it down. When you open it again, it might start a bit faster than if you had completely closed and relaunched it.
• Check your startup apps too: Some programs might not run in the background, but they launch as soon as you turn on your computer. You can manage these in Task Manager under the “Startup” tab to further speed up your boot time.
• Monitor your PC’s performance: After putting some apps to sleep, keep an eye on your computer. Does it feel faster? Is your laptop’s battery lasting longer? If an app you frequently use seems sluggish when you open it, you might want to switch its background permission back to “Let Windows decide.”
• Consider uninstalling unused apps: If you have apps you never use, putting them to sleep is a good first step. But for the ultimate resource saving, you might just want to uninstall them completely. No app, no resource use, right?
• Be selective with essential apps: Think twice before putting crucial apps like your antivirus software, cloud syncing services, or messaging apps to sleep. They often need to run in the background to do their job properly and keep you protected or connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the real benefit of putting apps to sleep?

The main benefit is improved performance and battery life for your computer. When apps are put to sleep, they stop using your computer’s processor, memory, and network resources in the background. This frees up those resources for the apps you are actively using, making your computer feel faster and more responsive, and helping your laptop’s battery last longer.

Does “sleeping” an app close it completely?

No, putting an app to sleep doesn’t close it completely. Think of it like a paused game; it’s still there, just not actively doing anything. The app will simply stop its background activities, like checking for updates or syncing data, until you open it again. When you do launch it, it will resume its normal operation.

Can I “wake up” a sleeping app easily?

Absolutely, waking up a sleeping app is as simple as clicking its icon and opening it. Once you open the app, it will run as usual. If you want to allow it to run in the background again even when closed, you’d go back to the “Advanced options” in Settings and change its “Background apps permissions” back to “Let Windows decide” or “Always.”

Why don’t some of my apps have “Advanced options”?

The “Advanced options” feature for background app permissions is primarily designed for Universal Windows Platform, or UWP, apps. These are typically apps you’ve installed from the Microsoft Store. Older, traditional desktop programs, often called Win32 applications, are managed differently by Windows and usually don’t offer this specific setting.

Is this feature available in older Windows versions?

This method of managing background app permissions via “Advanced options” was introduced and refined in Windows 10. Earlier versions of Windows might have different, less direct ways to manage background processes, but the specific “put to sleep” functionality described is unique to Windows 10 and later.

Summary

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Go to Apps.
3. Select Apps & features.
4. Find the desired app.
5. Click Advanced options.
6. Set Background apps permissions to “Never.”

Conclusion

So, there you have it, folks, a straightforward way to take back control of your Windows 10 computer. Learning how to put apps to sleep in Windows 10 is more than just a cool trick; it’s a fundamental step toward a healthier, snappier, and more energy-efficient digital life. Think about it, every little bit of processing power or battery juice saved from a background app adds up. It’s like finding a leak in your energy budget and patching it up. You might not notice a massive difference from just one app, but imagine the collective sigh of relief your PC breathes when several apps are no longer constantly demanding its attention.

We’ve all been there, right? You’re trying to get something important done, and your computer suddenly feels like it’s wading through mud. More often than not, the culprits are those silent, unseen apps doing their thing in the background. By actively managing their permissions, you’re not just speeding up your machine; you’re also extending the life of your laptop’s battery and potentially even prolonging the lifespan of your hardware by reducing unnecessary strain. It’s a proactive approach to PC maintenance, much like changing the oil in your car.

This isn’t about being a digital Scrooge, hoarding every bit of processing power. It’s about being smart and efficient. You want your computer to work for you, not the other way around. Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, I encourage you to explore your app list. Take a moment to identify which apps truly need to run in the background and which ones can take a much-deserved nap. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little; you can always change the settings back if an app misbehaves or if you find yourself needing its background functions. Your computer is a powerful tool, and by understanding these simple settings, you become the master of its domain. Keep exploring, keep optimizing, and enjoy a smoother Windows 10 experience.