How to fix the problem of too many background processes running on Windows PC

These processes are the main culprits causing your PC to run slowly and take long load times. Most of these processes do not need to be running all the time. So, TipsMake.com has compiled a list of methods to disable background processes so you can significantly speed up your PC.

How to fix too many background processes running on Windows

Now, let's discuss how to remove unwanted apps and clean up background processes.

1. Kill the process manually using Task Manager

You can free up your system resources by force closing any running applications that consume a lot of memory. Before using this method, make sure you are not actively using a running application. Also, remember not to end Microsoft processes.

To get started, open Windows Task Mananger by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Win + X. Then, navigate to the Processes tab , right-click on it, and make sure the Memory section is selected. This will sort the apps in order of their memory consumption.

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Select the app you want to close and click the End Task button at the bottom right of the menu. You can also right-click on the application and select End Task in the context menu that appears.

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The best types of processes to disable using this method are system tray applications and services, such as Discord, Slack, and antivirus programs. These programs always run in the background and never close, even when you exit their main application window. Therefore, they contribute to many background processes that you often see in Task Manager.

2. Disable startup processes

As the name suggests, the boot process starts running as soon as you start your Windows PC. These programs are often the reason your computer takes a long time to start up and runs in the background even when not in use.

To reduce the number of startup processes, open Task Mananger and click the Startup tab to open its menu. You will find a list of all boot processes and their activation status here. Right-click any process you want to disable and select the Disable option in the context menu.

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Alternatively, you can use the Disable button at the bottom right of the menu. All Microsoft processes in this menu can be safely disabled because they are not important to your PC. Furthermore, you can use Autorun to manage your startup programs.

3. Delete third-party processes

Third-party processes are activated when you install external software on your computer. They have no user interface and run entirely in the background. Like the startup process, these programs run when you open your PC.

You can disable these processes by opening Task Manager and clicking the drop-down menu next to the desired application. Select the Open Services option to launch the Services program.

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In this program, find the third-party service you want to disable, right-click it, and select Properties . This will open the properties menu for that service. Click the Startup type drop-down menu and select the Disabled option . Click Apply > OK to close the window.

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4. Free up system resources using System Configuration

Removing third-party processes one after another can be tiring. Luckily, there is a faster method to disable these processes en masse.

Press Win + R keys to launch the Run application. Next, enter msconfig in the text box and press Enter. Next, select the Services tab and make sure the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox is selected. Click the Disable all button , then select Apply > OK.

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The System Configuration utility will prompt you to restart your PC. Click Restart to make your changes.

5. Turn off system monitoring tools

System monitoring tools test your computer to collect performance and resource usage statistics. They work inside your computer and consume system resources. Microsoft includes system monitoring tools in your Windows operating system that you should never turn off.

However, some third-party applications also embed system monitoring tools into their installation packages. They run independently of the original software and often appear in the notification tray. Most of these programs do not appear in Task Manager and are difficult to remove.

Therefore, the best way to remove system spying tools is to identify and exclude them when installing the original software. This is another reason why you should be careful and aware of the dangers of third-party apps.

How to prevent the recurrence of having too many background processes

Many of the methods discussed earlier are only effective during a single computer session. Everything returns to its original state when restarting the computer. Therefore, to permanently stop background processes from running on your PC, you can try the following methods.

1. Turn off background applications

Most pre-installed Windows apps from the Microsoft Store run in the background. These apps don't consume a lot of memory or seriously impact performance. However, if you want to save as much system resources as possible, you can disable them so they run in the background.

Click the Start menu and select the Settings app. Open the Privacy menu and select the Background apps section . From the resulting menu, you can prevent your PC from running all background apps or disable individual apps.

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2. Uninstall unwanted applications

With the cheap and easy prices to buy SSDs and HDDs today, we have enough storage space to install programs haphazardly. Most of these apps have no side effects other than taking up storage space. However, some processes running in the background can slow down your PC.

Therefore, it's best to uninstall any apps you don't use. To remove a program from your PC, open Settings > Apps . Select any app you want to remove and click the Uninstall button .

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Lesley Montoya

Update 13 September 2023