Closing the extra apps and background processes will greatly free up system resources. Learn how to achieve this with the following guide for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Use the utilities in the order they appear.
Why There Are so Many Background Processes and Apps
You may wonder what many apps and their processes are doing. Just a decade ago, Windows operating systems were much lighter compared to what is offered today, as there were fewer processes to deal with. Windows 11 feels especially resource-intensive as it comes bundled with preinstalled programs, an enhanced search engine, rich media players, and several third-party software. Each new software you install creates an oversized memory footprint. Software developers now prefer rich graphics, which can take a toll on RAM and CPU performance. Some internal processes remain in the background even after you uninstall the main application. All these background processes and apps are not indispensable. A good rule of thumb is to assume that the core Microsoft processes are essential to your PC’s health and should not be removed. You can safely eliminate duplicate instances of a process unless they’re malware disguised as legitimate processes. The remaining objective is to identify non-Microsoft processes that can be safely eliminated.
1. End Unnecessary Tasks in Task Manager
The Task manager is the first place to look when your PC feels weighed down and is running slow. It offers the fastest way to end unresponsive programs, such as browser windows and their associated processes. Note: do not terminate any Windows system processes, such as Runtime Broker from the Taskbar. There are many other ways to reduce their instances on your PC. Note: if you install a VPN application, it may automatically add itself to the Startup tab. That can consume a lot of memory, so it is best to disable it from here.
2. Disable Unnecessary Windows Services
The Task Manager only offers a temporary reprieve from unnecessary background processes. Use the Windows Services Manager tool if you don’t want to see an unimportant application after a subsequent reboot.
3. Use MSConfig to Disable Non-Microsoft Services
Microsoft has a handy “System Configuration” utility (also called MSConfig) that helps you zero in on any non-Microsoft services in the background that are easily removable. Do not select any services related to Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, hardware or drivers.
4. Uninstall Apps and Modify Performance Options in Control Panel
Is your computer really slow? If you are unable to get a good performance, then it may be a good idea to uninstall apps directly from Control Panel and modify a few performance options as shown below. This method works like a charm for older laptops and PCs, as you get an immediate boost in CPU and RAM performance.
5. Power-Optimize Your Background Apps
As a user, you have the option to control whether the apps should consume more resources than needed from the “Apps & features” menu as shown here. The Windows 11 option is slightly different from the Windows 10 option.
6. Do a Periodic Disk Cleanup and Defragment
With regular usage, a Windows hard disk acquires a lot of clutter due to old updates, downloaded programs, and fragmented files. Doing a periodic disk cleanup and defragmenting your hard drive solves the problem.
7. Stop Persistent Apps and Processes in PowerShell
Windows PowerShell (Admin) is a powerful utility to immediately terminate stubborn processes that seem to never go away. It is also very easy to use: you just need to copy-paste the commands shown here.
8. Automatically End Hidden Processes in Registry Editor
To deal with stubborn Windows processes that come back after a restart, Windows offers a handy “AutoEndTasks” feature in Registry Editor. Image credit: sdecoret via Adobe Stock. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.
