Policy

Let Windows apps run in the background

Windows 11 25H2

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Policy overview

Key metadata and intent for this policy.

ClassComputer
CategoryWindows Components > App Privacy
Supported onAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, WindowsServer2016

This policy setting specifies whether Windows apps can run in the background. You can specify either a default setting for all apps or a per-app setting by specifying a Package Family Name. You can get the Package Family Name for an app by using the Get-AppPackage Windows PowerShell cmdlet. A per-app setting overrides the default setting. If you choose the "User is in control" option, employees in your organization can decide whether Windows apps can run in the background by using Settings > Privacy on the device. If you choose the "Force Allow" option, Windows apps are allowed to run in the background and employees in your organization cannot change it. If you choose the "Force Deny" option, Windows apps are not allowed to run in the background and employees in your organization cannot change it. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, employees in your organization can decide whether Windows apps can run in the background by using Settings > Privacy on the device. If an app is open when this Group Policy object is applied on a device, employees must restart the app or device for the policy changes to be applied to the app.

Internal name
LetAppsRunInBackground
Policy ID
1e312df22c23
Elements
4

Registry values

How enabled and disabled states update the registry.

No explicit registry values are set for enabled or disabled states.

Policy elements

Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.

ElementTypeRegistry mappingConstraints & behavior
LetAppsRunInBackground_UserInControlOfTheseApps_List
ID LetAppsRunInBackground_UserInControlOfTheseApps_List
list
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy\LetAppsRunInBackground_UserInControlOfTheseApps
Type REG_MULTI_SZ
None
LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceAllowTheseApps_List
ID LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceAllowTheseApps_List
list
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy\LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceAllowTheseApps
Type REG_MULTI_SZ
None
LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceDenyTheseApps_List
ID LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceDenyTheseApps_List
list
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy\LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceDenyTheseApps
Type REG_MULTI_SZ
None
Default for all apps:
ID LetAppsRunInBackground_Enum
enum
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy\LetAppsRunInBackground
Type REG_DWORD
Options: User is in control (0), Force Allow (1), Force Deny (2)

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