Are you experiencing sluggish performance and frequent crashes on your Chromebook? One potential culprit could be the accumulation of background apps running in the background, consuming system resources and slowing down your device. While it’s convenient to keep frequently used apps open, this practice can take a toll on your Chromebook’s performance over time. To restore optimal functionality and speed, it’s essential to close background apps permanently. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to effectively close background apps on your Chromebook and keep it running smoothly.
To begin, open the Task Manager by pressing “Search + Esc”. This will display a list of all running apps, including those that are hidden in the background. Identify the apps you want to close by hovering over them with the mouse cursor. When the “X” button appears in the upper-right corner of the app window, click on it to close the app immediately. Repeat this process for any other apps you want to close. By eliminating unnecessary background apps, you can free up system resources and improve the overall performance of your Chromebook. Additionally, closing background apps can also help extend battery life, as active apps consume power even when not in use.
Disable Background App Refresh
Background apps running in the background can drain your Chromebook’s battery and slow down its performance. By disabling background app refresh, you can save battery life, improve performance, and reduce interruptions. Here are the steps on how to do it:
- Open the Settings app on your Chromebook.
- Click on the “Apps” section.
- Click on the “Background apps” tab.
- Find the app you want to disable and toggle the switch to “Off”.
Additional Information
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when disabling background app refresh:
- Disabling background app refresh may affect the functionality of some apps. For example, you may not receive notifications from apps that you have disabled background refresh for.
- You can disable background app refresh for all apps at once by clicking on the “Disable all” button at the top of the “Background apps” tab.
- You can enable background app refresh for specific apps by toggling the switch to “On” for those apps.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Disable all | Disables background app refresh for all apps. |
| Disable for individual apps | Disables background app refresh for specific apps. |
| Enable for individual apps | Enables background app refresh for specific apps. |
Uninstall Unneeded Apps
To permanently close background apps on your Chromebook, consider uninstalling any unnecessary apps. Uninstalling apps not only frees up system resources but also prevents them from running in the background and consuming memory. Here’s how to uninstall apps:
Identify Unneeded Apps
Review the list of installed apps and identify those that you rarely use or no longer need. Consider apps that are similar in functionality to others you have installed.
Uninstall Apps
To uninstall an app, hover over its icon in the app launcher or on the shelf. Right-click and select “Remove from Chrome.” Alternatively, you can follow these steps:
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| App Launcher | Open the app launcher and right-click on the app icon. Select “Uninstall.” Confirm your action by clicking “Uninstall.” |
| Settings | Go to Settings > Apps. Find the app you want to uninstall. Click the three dots next to the app name and select “Uninstall.” |
Verify Uninstallation
Once you have uninstalled the app, check the app launcher and shelf to ensure it has been removed. If it still appears, try restarting your Chromebook or power washing it to completely remove all traces of the app.
Force-Quit Background Processes
To permanently terminate background processes on a Chromebook, you’ll need to force-quit them using the Task Manager. Here’s how:
1. Open the Task Manager
Right-click the bottom taskbar and select “Task Manager” or press the keyboard shortcut “Search + Esc”.
2. Identify Background Processes
In the Task Manager, all open tabs and apps will be listed. To distinguish background processes from active ones, sort the list by “Memory footprint” or “CPU usage” in descending order. Processes with zero active memory or CPU usage are likely running in the background.
3. Force-Quit Processes
To force-quit a background process, select it from the list and click the “End process” button. A confirmation prompt will appear; click “End process” again to confirm.
Here are additional details on force-quitting background processes:
- Memory Impact: Quitting a background process will immediately free up memory it was consuming, improving overall system performance.
- CPU Usage: Force-quitting redundant or unnecessary background processes can reduce CPU load, making your Chromebook run faster.
- Battery Life: Some background processes can drain battery life even when the Chromebook is idle. Shutting them down can extend battery life.
- Data Loss: In rare cases, force-quitting a background process may lead to data loss if the process was still saving or writing data. It’s generally safe to force-quit non-essential processes.
- Process Resumption: Some background processes may be necessary for certain system functions and may restart automatically after being force-quit.
Use Task Manager
The Task Manager is a powerful tool that allows you to see what apps are running on your Chromebook and how much memory and CPU they’re using. You can also use the Task Manager to close apps that you’re not using. To open the Task Manager, press Search + Esc or click the three dots in the bottom-right corner of the screen and select Task Manager.
The Task Manager will show you a list of all the apps that are running on your Chromebook. You can sort the list by name, memory usage, or CPU usage. To close an app, click on it and then click the End process button.
Close Apps Forever
If you want to close an app so that it doesn’t start up again when you restart your Chromebook, you can use the following steps:
- Open the Task Manager.
- Click on the app that you want to close.
- Click the More details button.
- Click the Disable button.
The app will now be disabled and will no longer start up when you restart your Chromebook.
Disable Apps Automatically
You can also disable apps automatically using the following steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on Apps.
- Click on the Installed apps tab.
- Find the app that you want to disable and click on it.
- Click the Disable button.
The app will now be disabled and will no longer start up when you restart your Chromebook.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Task Manager | 1. Open Task Manager (Search + Esc) 2. Select app and click “End process” |
| Disable Apps | 1. Open Settings app 2. Go to Apps > Installed apps 3. Select app and click “Disable” |
Enable Guest Mode
Guest Mode provides a temporary user account that allows guests to use a Chromebook without accessing your personal data or settings. It’s a great way to let others use your device without compromising your privacy.
- Open the Chromebook Settings by clicking on the gear icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down and click on the “Advanced” option at the bottom of the left-side menu.
- Click on the “Manage other users” option under the “People” section.
- Click on the “Add guest user” button in the top-right corner of the window.
- A new guest user account will be created. You can now log in as the guest user by clicking on their profile picture in the login screen.
When a guest user is logged in, they will have their own separate desktop and will not have access to your files, apps, or settings. Any changes they make will be deleted when they log out.
Guest Mode is a great way to protect your privacy and keep your Chromebook secure when you’re letting others use it.
Reset Chromebook to Factory Settings
This option will erase all data from your Chromebook and restore it to its original state. It should only be used as a last resort, as it will delete all your files, apps, and settings. To reset your Chromebook:
1. Turn off your Chromebook.
2. Press and hold the Esc + Refresh keys, then press the Power button.
3. Release the Esc + Refresh keys when the Chromebook starts up.
4. The Chromebook will display a recovery screen.
5. Select the “Powerwash” option.
6. Enter your Google account password and click the “Continue” button.
Your Chromebook will now be reset to factory settings. Once the reset is complete, you will need to sign in to your Google account and set up your Chromebook again.
Detailed Steps for Resetting Chromebook to Factory Settings:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Power down the Chromebook. |
| 2 | Hold down the Esc and Refresh keys simultaneously and switch on the Chromebook by pressing the Power button. |
| 3 | Release the Esc and Refresh keys when the Chromebook begins to boot up. |
| 4 | A recovery screen will appear on the Chromebook. |
| 5 | Click on the “Powerwash” option using the arrow keys on the keyboard or the touchpad. |
| 6 | Enter your Google account password and confirm the reset by clicking on the “Continue” button. |
Refresh the App
If an app is misbehaving, refreshing it can resolve the issue. To refresh an app, follow these steps:
- Click the app’s icon on the shelf.
- Click the three dots in the app’s top-right corner.
- Select “Refresh.”
Close the App
If refreshing the app doesn’t resolve the issue, you can close it. To close an app, follow these steps:
- Click the app’s icon on the shelf.
- Click the three dots in the app’s top-right corner.
- Select “Close.”
Force Quit the App
If an app is unresponsive, you can force it to quit. To force quit an app, follow these steps:
- Press the “Search” key.
- Type “chrome://task-manager” and press “Enter.”
- Select the app you want to force quit.
- Click the “End process” button.
Disable Background Activity
You can disable background activity for an app to prevent it from running in the background. To disable background activity for an app, follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings.” (note: Chrome OS Version 89 and later) Or “Chrome Settings” (note: Chrome OS Versions 88 and earlier)
- Click “Privacy and security.”
- Click “Site settings.”
- Click “Background activity.”
- Find the app you want to disable background activity for.
- Click the toggle switch next to the app’s name to disable background activity.
Uninstall the App
If you don’t use an app anymore, you can uninstall it to remove it from your Chromebook. To uninstall an app, follow these steps:
- Click the app’s icon on the shelf.
- Click the three dots in the app’s top-right corner.
- Select “Uninstall.”
- Click the “Uninstall” button to confirm.
Factory Reset Your Chromebook
If you’re having persistent problems with apps, you can factory reset your Chromebook. Note: This will erase all data from your Chromebook, so be sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
- Go to “Settings.” (note: Chrome OS Version 89 and later) Or “Chrome Settings” (note: Chrome OS Versions 88 and earlier)
- Click “Advanced.”
- Click “Reset settings.”
- Click the “Powerwash” button.
- Click the “Restart” button to confirm.
Contact Chromebook Support
If you’re still having problems with apps, you can contact Chromebook support for help. Here’s how:
| Contact Option | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Online Help Center |
Available 24/7 |
|
2 |
Phone Support |
Available Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM EST |
|
3 |
Email Support |
Available 24/7 |
|
4 |
Live Chat |
Available Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM EST |
Update Chromebook Software
Ensuring your Chromebook’s software is up to date is crucial for optimizing performance, security, and stability. Here’s how to update your Chromebook’s software:
- Connect your Chromebook to a stable internet connection.
- Click on the time and date displayed at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Select the “Settings” icon (gear-shaped).
- In the “Settings” menu, navigate to the “About Chrome OS” section.
- Click on the “Check for updates” button.
- If updates are available, they will begin downloading automatically.
- Once the updates are downloaded, you will be prompted to restart your Chromebook.
- Click on the “Restart” button to complete the software update process.
How To Close Background Apps Forever On Chromebook
Chromebooks are known for their speed and efficiency, but sometimes you may notice that your Chromebook is running slowly or lagging. This can be caused by a number of factors, including having too many background apps open.
Background apps are apps that continue to run even when you’re not using them. They can include things like checking for updates, downloading files, or running background processes. While some background apps are necessary, others can be unnecessary and can slow down your Chromebook.
If you’re experiencing performance issues on your Chromebook, one of the first things you should do is close any unnecessary background apps. Here’s how:
- Open the Chrome browser.
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select “More tools.”
- Select “Task manager.”
The Task Manager will show you a list of all the apps that are currently running on your Chromebook. To close an app, simply click on it and then click on the “End process” button.
Troubleshoot Common Causes
9. Automatic Background App Opening
Automatic background app opening can occur due to several reasons. One common cause is having extensions or plugins installed that automatically start certain apps when the Chromebook boots up. To check for this, go to the Chrome Web Store and disable any extensions or plugins that you don’t need. Additionally, some apps may have settings that allow them to run in the background. Review the settings of the apps you have installed and disable any unnecessary background activity.
Another potential cause of automatic background app opening is having certain websites open in the background. When you visit a website, it may sometimes load external scripts or resources that can trigger background processes. To prevent this, close any unnecessary tabs or windows in your browser.
If the issue persists, you may consider resetting your Chromebook to its factory settings. This will erase all data and settings on your Chromebook, so be sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Unnecessary extensions or plugins | Disable or remove unnecessary extensions or plugins. |
| App settings | Review app settings and disable unnecessary background activity. |
| Background websites or scripts | Close unnecessary browser tabs or windows. |
| Persistent problem | Reset Chromebook to factory settings (back up data first). |
Optimize Chromebook Performance
Use the Task Manager to Quit Apps
- Press Search + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab.
- Select the app you want to close and click End process.
Disable Background Apps
- Open Settings (icon in the bottom-right corner).
- Navigate to System > Extensions.
- Toggle off the switch for the app you want to disable.
Disable Rarely Used Extensions
- Open Settings > Extensions.
- Remove any unused extensions by clicking the Remove button.
Restart Your Chromebook Regularly
- Click the clock in the bottom-right corner.
- Select the Power icon.
- Choose Restart.
Clear the Cache
- Open Settings > Privacy and security.
- Under Clear browsing data, click Clear now.
- Select Cached images and files and click Clear data.
Delete Unwanted Files
- Open the Files app.
- Navigate to the Downloads folder.
- Select unnecessary files and press Delete.
Use Task Groups
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Select Create new task group.
- Drag and drop apps into the task group to isolate their background activity.
Manage Tabs Wisely
- Close tabs you’re not using.
- Use the Tab group feature (right-click on a tab > Add to new group) to organize and pause tabs.
Adjust Memory Settings
- Open Settings > System > Memory.
- Check Optimize device memory by freeing up unused memory when needed.
Install Android Apps Carefully
- Only install essential Android apps from the Play Store.
- Disable background activity for Android apps (go to Android settings > Apps & notifications).
How To Close Background Apps Forever On Chromebook
Background apps on Chromebook can eat up battery life and RAM. If you’re not using an app, it’s best to close it so it’s not running in the background. Here’s how to close background apps forever on Chromebook:
- Open the Chrome browser.
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Select “More tools” from the menu.
- Select “Task manager” from the submenu.
- The Task Manager will open. Select the app you want to close.
- Click on the “End process” button.
The app will now be closed and will no longer be running in the background.
People also ask about How To Close Background Apps Forever On Chromebook
How do you completely close an app on a Chromebook?
To close a Chrome app completely, open the app and press:
- Ctrl + Q (Windows, Linux, Chrome OS)
- Cmd + Q (Mac)
How do you close all background apps on a Chromebook?
To close all background apps on a Chromebook, open the Task Manager and click on the “End all processes” button.
How do you prevent an app from running in the background on a Chromebook?
To prevent an app from running in the background on a Chromebook, open the Task Manager and click on the “Disable” button next to the app.
