Disable app access to background activity (breaks Cortana, Search, live tiles, notifications)

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script prevents Windows apps from running in the background 1 2 3.

This script may improve system performance by reducing resource usage.

This script configures:

• Windows policy (LetAppsRunInBackground 1 2)
• Privacy settings user interface (BackgroundAccessApplications!GlobalUserDisabled 3)

Caution

Disabling app access may affect the functionality of certain Microsoft Store, third-party, and system applications. This may impact the functionality of apps that rely on background tasks, such as Cortana and Search 2. It may also impact live tile updates, along with notifications such as text messages, email and voicemail 3.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Disable app access to personal information

This action belongs to Disable app access to personal information category. This category enhances your privacy by restricting app access to sensitive personal data. These scripts enable you to enforce the principle of least privilege ensuring that apps only have access to the information absolutely necessary for their legitimate function, thereby minimizing potential... Read more on category page ▶

Disable OS data collection

This action belongs to Disable OS data collection category. This category configures Windows using 153 scripts. These scripts are organized in 33 categories. The category includes 14 subscripts and 13 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Disable app access to background activity (breaks Cortana, Search, live tiles, notifications).
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

HELP: Step-by-step guide

1. Click on Start menu

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

:: Disable app access (LetAppsRunInBackground) using GPO (re-activation through GUI is not possible)
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy!LetAppsRunInBackground"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy'; $data = '2'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy' /v 'LetAppsRunInBackground' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy!LetAppsRunInBackground_UserInControlOfTheseApps"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy'; $data = '\0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy' /v 'LetAppsRunInBackground_UserInControlOfTheseApps' /t 'REG_MULTI_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy!LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceAllowTheseApps"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy'; $data = '\0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy' /v 'LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceAllowTheseApps' /t 'REG_MULTI_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy!LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceDenyTheseApps"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy'; $data = '\0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy' /v 'LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceDenyTheseApps' /t 'REG_MULTI_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications!GlobalUserDisabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications' /v 'GlobalUserDisabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Restore app access (LetAppsRunInBackground) using GPO
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy!LetAppsRunInBackground"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy' /v 'LetAppsRunInBackground' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy!LetAppsRunInBackground_UserInControlOfTheseApps"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy' /v 'LetAppsRunInBackground_UserInControlOfTheseApps' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy!LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceAllowTheseApps"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy' /v 'LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceAllowTheseApps' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy!LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceDenyTheseApps"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy' /v 'LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceDenyTheseApps' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications!GlobalUserDisabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications' /v 'GlobalUserDisabled' /f 2>$null"

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