Windows 11 Background Apps Missing? How to Get Them Back

Try the solutions listed in this guide

5 min. read

Updated onApril 2, 2024

updated onApril 2, 2024

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Key notes

Windows 11 allows you to control whether or not the Microsoft Store apps should run in the background. The permission options can be accessed in the Settings app of Windows 11 PC.

However, some of the Windows users have reported that they are unable to configure the background app permissions as the option is missing on their Windows 11 computers.

Why are the background apps options missing in Windows 11?

The background app permissions may be missing for several reasons as listed below.

If you are searching for ways to fix the missing background app options in Windows 11, refer to this guide for effective help.

How do fix the background apps missing issue in Windows 11?

Here are some preliminary steps that you need to implement before trying out the solutions listed below.

If the background apps option is still available in Windows 11, proceed to these methods.

1. Edit Group Policy Editor

If the background apps are not available on a work computer, it may be because the background app permissions are disabled via the group policy editor. You can easily modify the group policy to enable the background apps on Windows 11 devices.

Group Policy Editor is only available in the Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions of the Windows 11 operating system and not on a Home edition by default. However, you can easily enable thegroup policy editor on Windows HomePC by following the instructions listed in this guide.

2. Edit the Windows Registry

Reboot your PC now, and the background apps option for all the apps downloaded from Microsoft Store will now be enabled on your Windows 11 PC.

3. Run SFC and DISM scans

Background apps can go missing in Windows 11 if your system files are damaged. You can run the SFC and DISM scans to repair corrupt system files and images if necessary, or even use athird-party repair appto ease the process significantly.

4. Repair the Settings app

A glitch in the Settings app can be the reason why the background apps permission option is missing in Windows 11. You can rule out this case by resetting the Settings app.

That’s pretty much it! Hopefully, one of the methods listed below succeeded in bringing the missing background apps back on Windows 11 PCs.

You may want to check out this guide iftoo many processes are running in the backgroundwithout your permission.

If the issue persists after repairing the app, you can try resetting the Settings app from the same menu. After that, you should see the background app permissions option as before.

Windows 11 Background Apps Missing? How to Get Them Back#

Why are the background apps options missing in Windows 11?#

How do fix the background apps missing issue in Windows 11?#

1. Edit Group Policy Editor#

2. Edit the Windows Registry#

3. Run SFC and DISM scans#

4. Repair the Settings app#