ADMX Viewer
Microsoft.Policies.AppPrivacy• Machine

Let Windows apps run in the background

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.

Policy Details

Policy Name
LetAppsRunInBackground
Registry Key
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy
Supported On
At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
Available Languages
en-us

Configuration Elements

Put user in control of these specific apps (use Package Family Names):

Force allow these specific apps (use Package Family Names):

Force deny these specific apps (use Package Family Names):

Default for all apps:

Type: enum

Allowed Values
  • 0 User is in control
  • 1 Force Allow
  • 2 Force Deny

LetAppsRunInBackground_UserInControlOfTheseApps_List

Type: multiText

LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceAllowTheseApps_List

Type: multiText

LetAppsRunInBackground_ForceDenyTheseApps_List

Type: multiText