Background apps on a Chromebook can slow down your device and drain your battery. If you’re not using these apps, it’s best to close them to improve performance. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to close background apps permanently on a Chromebook. One method is to use the Task Manager. The Task Manager shows you a list of all running apps, and you can use it to close any apps that you don’t need. To open the Task Manager, press the Search key and type “Task Manager.”
Another way to close background apps is to use the Chrome Task Manager. The Chrome Task Manager shows you a list of all running Chrome processes, and you can use it to close any processes that you don’t need. To open the Chrome Task Manager, press the Shift + Esc keys. Finally, you can also close background apps by signing out of your Chromebook. When you sign out, all of the apps that you are running will be closed. To sign out, click on the profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the screen and select “Sign out.”
Closing background apps can help improve the performance of your Chromebook and extend its battery life. If you’re not using an app, be sure to close it to keep your device running smoothly.
Disable Auto-Refresh on Startup
This setting controls whether Chrome should automatically refresh all open tabs when you restart your Chromebook. By default, this setting is enabled, which means that all of your tabs will be refreshed when you reboot your device. This can be convenient if you want to make sure that you have the latest information open in your tabs, but it can also be annoying if you have a lot of tabs open and don’t want to wait for them to all reload.
To disable auto-refresh on startup, follow these steps:
- Open Chrome settings.
- Scroll down to the “On startup” section.
- Select “Continue where you left off.” This will prevent Chrome from refreshing your tabs when you restart your Chromebook.
If you want to keep your tabs open but don’t want them to refresh automatically, you can also use the “Reload” button in the Chrome toolbar. This will only refresh the current tab, not all of your open tabs.
Close Apps from the Shelf
To close apps from the shelf, follow these steps:
- Click the Shelf icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- Find the app you want to close.
- Right-click the app icon.
- Select “Quit” from the menu.
Close Apps from the Overview Screen
To close apps from the Overview screen, follow these steps:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Overview screen.
- Find the app you want to close.
- Right-click the app card.
- Select “Quit” from the menu.
Close Apps from the Chrome App Launcher
To close apps from the Chrome App Launcher, follow these steps:
- Click the App Launcher icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- Find the app you want to close.
- Right-click the app icon.
- Select “Quit” from the menu.
Close All Apps at Once
To close all apps at once, press the“Esc” key on your keyboard. This will close all open apps and return you to the desktop.
Method Shortcut Close Apps from the Shelf Right-click app icon -> Quit Close Apps from the Overview Screen Right-click app card -> Quit Close Apps from the Chrome App Launcher Right-click app icon -> Quit Close All Apps at Once Esc key Use the Task Manager
The Task Manager is a powerful tool that allows you to view and manage all the processes running on your Chromebook. You can use it to close background apps, as well as to see how much memory and CPU each app is using.
To open the Task Manager, press the Esc key, then click on the Task Manager icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
The Task Manager will display a list of all the processes running on your Chromebook. To close a background app, simply click on it and then click on the End Process button.
Close Apps Using the Keyboard
The keyboard shortcut to close a background app is Shift + Esc. This will open the Task Manager, where you can select the app you want to close and click on the End Process button. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Alt + Tab to switch between apps. When you have the app you want to close selected, press Alt + F4 to close it.
Using the Notification Panel
Another way to close background apps is to use the notification panel. To do this, click on the clock icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will open the notification panel, where you will see a list of all the apps that are running in the background. To close an app, simply click on the Close button next to it.
Method Keyboard Shortcut Task Manager Shift + Esc Keyboard Shortcut Alt + Tab > Alt + F4 Notification Panel Click clock icon > Click Close button Disable Background Extensions
Beyond disabling specific apps, you can also prevent all extensions from running in the background. This can be a more comprehensive solution if you’re concerned about multiple extensions consuming resources or impacting your Chromebook’s performance. To disable background extensions:
1. Open the Chrome browser on your Chromebook.
2. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner and select “More tools.”
3. Choose “Extensions” from the drop-down menu.
4. On the Extensions page, locate the “Extensions can run in background” setting. This setting is usually found at the bottom of the page, beneath the list of installed extensions.
5. Toggle the switch next to “Extensions can run in background” to the “Off” position.This will prevent all installed extensions from running in the background, including those that are related to specific apps. It’s worth noting that some essential extensions, such as those used for security or productivity, may still operate in the background even with this setting disabled.
Adjust App Permissions
To further refine app behavior and restrict background activity, you can adjust individual app permissions. Here’s how:
1. Open the Settings menu:
Click on the clock icon in the lower-right corner to open the system tray. Then, select the gear icon to access the Settings menu.
2. Navigate to the “Apps” section:
In the left sidebar of the Settings menu, click on the “Apps” option. This will display a list of all installed apps.
3. Select the desired app:
Locate the app you want to adjust permissions for and click on it. This will open the app’s settings page.
4. Review and adjust permissions:
Under the “Permissions” tab, you will see a list of permissions that the app has requested. Review each permission carefully and disable any that you do not want the app to have.
5. Additional tips for managing app permissions:
– **Disable unnecessary permissions:** Only grant permissions that are essential for the app to function.
– **Review permissions periodically:** Regularly check the permissions granted to apps and make adjustments as needed.
– **Consider using a permission manager:** There are browser extensions available that can help you manage app permissions more easily.
Set Power-Saving Mode
Power-Saving Mode is designed to extend your Chromebook’s battery life by automatically closing background apps and processes when the device is not actively used. Turning this feature on can significantly reduce the number of background processes and improve your Chromebook’s overall performance.
How to Enable Power-Saving Mode:
- Click on the status area in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
- Select the “Settings” icon (gear icon).
- Navigate to the “Device” section.
- Click on the “Power” tab.
- Slide the “Power-Saving Mode” toggle to the “On” position.
- Confirm your selection by clicking on the “Enable” button.
When Power-Saving Mode is enabled, you will receive a notification when background apps are closed. You can also manually close background apps from the “Task Manager” (accessed by pressing “Alt + Shift + Esc”).
Additional Benefits of Power-Saving Mode:
Benefit Description Extended Battery Life Reduces power consumption by closing unnecessary background processes. Improved Performance Frees up system resources by closing unneeded apps, resulting in faster performance. Reduced Heat Generation Less background activity means less heat generation, extending the lifespan of your Chromebook. Create a Guest Account
Creating a guest account on your Chromebook can help prevent background apps from running, as guest accounts do not have permission to access your personal data or run certain apps.
Steps:
- Click on the time in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Select the “Settings” icon.
- Scroll down and click on “Manage other users.”
- Click on “Add guest user.”
- A new guest account will be created.
- Sign out of your current account and sign in to the guest account.
- Any background apps that were running in your main account will be closed.
Use a Third-Party Chrome Extension
Introducing the Chrome Extension, a powerful tool that empowers you to bid farewell to persistent background apps, reclaiming your Chromebook’s resources and restoring its pristine performance. Here’s how you harness its potential:
Step 1: Locate the Chrome Web Store
Launch the Chrome browser and navigate to the Chrome Web Store, a treasure trove of extensions to enhance your browsing experience.
Step 2: Search for Background App Manager
Enter “Background App Manager” into the search bar and press “Enter” to unveil a list of matching extensions.
Step 3: Install Background App Manager
Identify the Background App Manager extension from the search results and click the “Add to Chrome” button. Confirm your selection by clicking “Add extension” when prompted.
Step 4: Activate the Extension
Once installed, the Background App Manager icon will reside in your browser’s toolbar, ready to be activated. Click it to reveal a drop-down menu.
Step 5: Select Background Apps
The drop-down menu displays a list of active background apps. Select the ones you wish to terminate. You can also choose “All” to close every running background app in one swift click.
Step 6: Click “Close”
Once you’ve made your selections, hit the “Close” button to banish the chosen background apps from your Chromebook’s memory.
Step 7: Enjoy the Enhanced Performance
With unwanted background apps out of the way, your Chromebook will regain its agility and efficiency, allowing you to breeze through tasks and enjoy a smoother browsing experience.
Step 8: Disable the Extension (Optional)
If you need to temporarily disable the Background App Manager extension, simply visit the Chrome Extensions page by clicking the puzzle piece icon in your browser’s toolbar. Locate Background App Manager and toggle the switch to the “Off” position. You can re-enable it whenever you wish by flipping the switch back to “On.”
Reset Your Chromebook
If you’ve tried all the other methods and your background apps are still running wild, it may be time to reset your Chromebook.
IMPORTANT: Resetting your Chromebook will erase all of your local data, so make sure you back up any important files before you begin.
To reset your Chromebook, follow these steps:
1. Click the clock in the lower-right corner of the screen.
2. Select the Settings icon.
3. Scroll down and click Advanced.
4. Click Reset settings.
5. Click Reset.
6. Enter your Google password.
7. Click Reset.
8. Your Chromebook will restart and the reset process will begin.
9. Once the reset is complete, your Chromebook will be restored to its factory settings. You will need to sign in to your Google account again and reinstall any apps you want to use.Here are some additional tips for preventing background apps from running:
Tip Description Use the Task Manager to close apps The Task Manager can be used to see which apps are running and to close any apps that you don’t need. Disable background apps from running You can disable background apps from running in the Settings app. Uninstall unnecessary apps If you don’t use an app, uninstall it. This will prevent it from running in the background. Keep your Chromebook updated Google releases regular updates for Chrome OS that fix bugs and improve performance. Make sure you keep your Chromebook updated to the latest version. How To Close Background Apps Forever On Chromebook
Tips for Enhanced Performance
1. Force Quit Unwanted Apps
Simply right-click the app’s icon in the taskbar and select “Quit” to terminate it immediately.
2. Use a Keyboard Shortcut
Press “Alt + Shift + Esc” to open the Task Manager, then select the app you want to close and click “End Process.”
3. Close Apps from the System Tray
Click the up arrow in the taskbar to reveal the system tray, then right-click on the app icon and select “Close.”
4. Disable Auto-Starting Apps
Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps, then select the app you want to disable and toggle off the “Allow app to run in the background” option.
5. Use Extensions to Manage Background Apps
Install extensions like “The Great Suspender” or “Background App Killer” to automatically suspend or kill unwanted background apps.
6. Regularly Restart Your Chromebook
Restarting your Chromebook clears memory and closes all background apps, improving performance.
7. Use a Task Manager
Open the Task Manager (“Alt + Shift + Esc”) to view all running apps and processes, and terminate any unnecessary ones.
8. Disable Unneeded Extensions
Go to chrome://extensions/ and disable any extensions you’re not actively using to reduce background activity.
9. Limit Background Activity in Settings
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Background activity and adjust the settings to limit app activity when not in use.
10. Use a Chromebook with More RAM
If your Chromebook has limited RAM, consider upgrading to a model with more memory to handle more background apps without compromising performance.
Chromebook Model Memory Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 4 GB Acer Chromebook Spin 713 8 GB Asus Chromebook CX9 16 GB How To Close Background Apps Forever On Chromebook
If you’re looking to improve the performance of your Chromebook, one of the best things you can do is to close any unnecessary background apps. These apps can take up valuable memory and resources, which can slow down your Chromebook and make it more difficult to use. Additionally, closing background apps can help to improve your Chromebook’s battery life.
To close background apps on your Chromebook, follow these steps:
- Open the Chrome browser.
- Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- Select “More tools” from the menu.
- Select “Task manager” from the submenu.
- In the Task Manager window, you will see a list of all the apps that are currently running on your Chromebook. To close an app, click on the “End process” button next to the app’s name.
Once you have closed all of the unnecessary background apps, your Chromebook should run faster and smoother. You may also notice an improvement in your Chromebook’s battery life.
People Also Ask
How do I close background apps on my Chromebook permanently?
To close background apps on your Chromebook permanently, you can follow the steps above and then click on the “X” button next to the app’s name in the Task Manager window. This will close the app and prevent it from running in the background again.
How do I stop apps from running in the background on my Chromebook?
To stop apps from running in the background on your Chromebook, you can follow the steps above to close the apps. You can also disable the “Background apps” setting in your Chromebook’s settings. To do this, open the Settings app and click on the “Apps” tab. Then, click on the “Background apps” setting and select “Disable” from the dropdown menu.
How do I improve the performance of my Chromebook?
In addition to closing background apps, there are a number of other things you can do to improve the performance of your Chromebook. These include:
- Keeping your Chromebook up to date with the latest software updates.
- Removing any unused apps and extensions.
- Clearing your browsing data.
- Running a virus scan.
- Resetting your Chromebook to factory settings.
