---
title: "Background apps: the policy values that actually stop UWP apps running"
description: "The LetAppsRunInBackground policy, why the Settings toggle is not always enough, and what stops working when you disable it."
url: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-background-apps
author: Frost LIVE, Founder of Frozen Tweaks
published: 2026-08-30
updated: 2026-10-08
category: "Debloat"
source: Frozen Tweaks (https://frozentweaks.com)
---

# Background apps: the policy values that actually stop UWP apps running

**Short answer:** Setting LetAppsRunInBackground to 2 under SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy denies all UWP apps background execution, with GlobalUserDisabled set to 1 as the per-user equivalent. It reliably stops Store apps consuming CPU, memory and network while you play, which the Settings toggle alone does not always achieve on Windows 11.

## In the app

- Switch: Disable Background Apps (Debloat, Free, Standard)
- Undo: Yes. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.
- Catalog row: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks#t-1020

## What it does

UWP and Store apps can run background tasks, such as syncing, notifications and live tiles, without a visible window. Each is small; collectively they are a steady drip of CPU, disk and network.

Windows 11 removed the global master toggle from Settings, which is why the policy value is the reliable route.

## When it helps

- Removes a steady background load, most noticeable on lower-core-count CPUs.
- Reduces unexpected network activity during a match.
- One of the more reliable stutter reductions on older or budget systems.

## When it hurts

- Store app notifications stop arriving, including Mail, Calendar and messaging apps.
- Anything relying on background sync stops syncing until opened.
- It does not affect classic desktop applications at all, which is where most people's real background load actually is.

## What it writes

Read from the app's source. "Switching it off" is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values:

| Key | Value | With the tweak | Switching it off | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy` | `LetAppsRunInBackground` | `2` | Not set (the value is deleted; Windows decides) | Machine-wide policy denying UWP apps background execution. |
| `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications` | `GlobalUserDisabled` | `1` | Not set (the value is deleted; Windows decides) | Per-user equivalent, covering the path the Settings UI writes to. |

Source: Tweaks/background_apps.hpp in the app's source, app 2.0.0, checked 2026-10-08.

## The same change by hand

Run in a Command Prompt opened as administrator. Make a restore point first.

```bat
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy" /v "LetAppsRunInBackground" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications" /v "GlobalUserDisabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
```

Put it back:

```bat
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy" /v "LetAppsRunInBackground" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications" /v "GlobalUserDisabled" /f
```

See what it is set to now:

```bat
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy" /v "LetAppsRunInBackground"
```

## How to undo it

Delete the LetAppsRunInBackground policy value and set GlobalUserDisabled back to 0. Switching it off in Frozen Tweaks deletes both values.

## Verdict

Worth doing if you do not depend on Store app notifications. Be aware it only covers UWP apps: pruning your startup list matters more.

## Related guides

- [Windows 11 Gaming Optimization: What Still Works in 2026](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/windows-11-gaming-optimization)
- [Low-End PC Gaming Optimization: Getting Playable Frame Rates](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/low-end-pc-gaming-optimization)
- [How to Increase FPS on PC: The Complete 2026 Guide](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/how-to-increase-fps-on-pc)
- [ARC Raiders FPS Boost: Fixing Unreal Engine 5 Stutter](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/arc-raiders-fps-boost)

## More tweak explainers

- [Windows Search indexing](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-windows-search-indexing)
- [Xbox services](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-xbox-services)
- [Widgets, News and Copilot](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-widgets-news-copilot)

---
Written by Frost LIVE, founder of Frozen Tweaks. Canonical version: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-background-apps