---
title: "Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS): should you disable it for gaming?"
description: "BITS downloads files in the background using bandwidth the PC is not using. What the tweak changes, when it helps, when it hurts and how to undo it."
url: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-bits-service
author: Frost LIVE, Founder of Frozen Tweaks
published: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
category: "Network"
source: Frozen Tweaks (https://frozentweaks.com)
---

# Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS): should you disable it for gaming?

**Short answer:** BITS downloads files in the background using bandwidth the PC is not using. Windows Update, the Microsoft Store and some game launchers depend on it. This tweak sets the service to Disabled. It sets the bits service to Disabled.

## In the app

- Switch: Disable BITS (Network, Pro, Advanced)
- 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-1043

## What it does

BITS downloads files in the background using bandwidth the PC is not using. Windows Update, the Microsoft Store and some game launchers depend on it. This tweak sets the service to Disabled.

In the app the switch is called "Disable BITS", described there as: Stops Background Intelligent Transfer Service to avoid stealth downloads.

## When it helps

- Stopping background downloads that start on their own while you play online.

## When it hurts

- Windows Update, Store app updates and Defender definition downloads can fail until you switch it back.
- BITS already yields to foreground traffic, so the gain is usually small.

## What it writes

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

Services (startup type):

| Service | With the tweak | Switching it off |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `bits` (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) | Disabled | Manual |

Source: Tweaks/bitsoff.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
sc config "bits" start= disabled
```

Put it back:

```bat
sc config "bits" start= demand
```

## How to undo it

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. It sets bits to Manual.

## Verdict

A blunt tool. Pausing updates is the cleaner way to keep downloads out of a session.

## Questions

### What does the "Disable BITS" tweak change in Windows?

It sets the bits service to Disabled.

### Is "Disable BITS" safe to switch on?

A blunt tool. Pausing updates is the cleaner way to keep downloads out of a session. The main cost: Windows Update, Store app updates and Defender definition downloads can fail until you switch it back.

### How do I undo it?

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.

### Is "Disable BITS" free in Frozen Tweaks?

It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

## Related guides

- [How to Reduce Input Lag on PC: The Whole Latency Chain](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/reduce-input-lag)

## More tweak explainers

- [ETW autologgers](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-etw-autologgers)
- [WLAN AutoConfig (WlanSvc)](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-wlan-autoconfig)
- [SSDP Discovery and UPnP Device Host](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-upnp-ssdp-services)

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