Windows 10: Background Applications

This question is NOT related to windows background app control found in settings.


I have applications that, in the middle of the day, hours after my computer was turned onthus nothing to do with start-up, randomly start on their own and run in the background. Zoom, dropbox, and skype will start running randomly in the background without my clicking to open, use, or in any way interact with the apps. I've not used skype for 4 years, dropbox is set to do nothing but still runs, and zoom I only use 2 days a week. My questions is: how do you stop non-standard windows apps from running whenever?

Is there a way to prevent an app from starting itself and running on its own and slowing my computer down? Again, I am not speaking about windows apps such as alarm, camera, one note, etc found on the settings page. Everything is turned off already and whatever windows apps I could uninstall have been removed as it is although why we can't remove all still blows my mind, I hate the lack of control windows 10 has.

My computer is a 2016 MSi and is still running moderately well. I service it monthly on my own, but these random runnings slow down my computer and cause issues when I need it to work. When you search for this answer, you just get the windows standard answer which no where near addresses anything I am experiencing. Also, I am not a computer person so I need more to be walked through things to help me understand better. Appreciate any help, even if its "that's not possible".

:)

 

Background applications

Hi Robert,

We understand that you don't want some apps to run on the background of your computer. What we suggest is to
control which apps are allowed to run in the background. To see which apps have permission, just follow the below steps:

• Open the Start menu or Start screen and select “Settings.”
• Click or tap the “Privacy” icon in the Settings.
• Scroll down to the bottom of the list and select “Background apps.”
  
• You’ll see a list of apps that have permission to run in the background with an “On/Off” toggle.

Just bear in mind that, apps normally run in the background to update their live tiles, download new data, and receive notifications. If you want an app to continue performing these functions, you should allow it to continue running in
the background.

Feel free to update us with the results.

 

Windows Applications Stating as Background Process not as Windowed Applications

Hi Les,

It happens that your current user profile has a different treatment to your applications.
To ensure that we can provide the appropriate resolution for your concerns with your applications, we’d like to ask you a few questions:

• What were the recent changes made on your computer before you experienced this issue?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
• Did you receive any error messages?
• Do you have a third-party application that minimizes applications as a background process?
• How does these applications get included to your background processes?
• What are these applications?
• Do they have a settings of full screen mode?

In addition, we recommend performing a full system scan for your computer to see if there are viruses, malware, malicious programs or script that prevents your computer to work properly. To do this, follow these steps:

Step #1: Perform a full system scan.

• Press Windows + S to open Search Box.
• Type Windows Defender, then click it.
• In Home tab, select Full under
  Scan options.
• Click Scan now to begin the thorough scanning of your computer.
• Wait for the process to finish.
• If there are any findings, send us the results through screenshot.
• Before closing the application, make sure that Windows Defender is always turned on.

Step #2: Set a schedule on
Windows Defender to perform periodic scans. Visit this link:
Schedule a scan in Windows Defender Antivirus to know how to set scan schedules for your computer.

We’re looking forward to your response.

 

Slideshow as desktop background.

Hi Marilyn,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to try the steps below and check if it helps.

• Press Windows Logo Key + I. Then click on Personalization.
• Click on Background to change it.

For reference:

Change desktop background and colors



Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.