This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable "Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed" for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The Microsoft Edge web browser is based on Chromium and was released on January 15, 2020. It is compatible with all supported versions of Windows, and macOS. With speed, performance, best in class compatibility for websites and extensions, and built-in privacy and security features.
Background extensions and apps will continue running when Microsoft Edge is closed by default.
This allows Microsoft Edge processes to start at OS sign-in and keep running after the last browser window is closed. In this scenario, background apps and the current browsing session remain active, including any session cookies. An open background process displays an icon in the system tray and can always be closed from there.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off "Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed" for Current User from Settings
- Option Two: Enable or Disable "Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed" for All Users using REG file
Turn On or Off "Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed" for Current User from Settings
1 Open Microsoft Edge.
2 Click/tap on the Setting and more (Alt+F) 3 dots button, and click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on System and performance in the left pane. (see screenshot below)
If you do not see a left pane, then either click/tap on the 3 bars menu button towards the top left OR widen the horizontal borders of the Microsoft Edge window until you do.
4 Turn on (default) or off Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed for what you want under System on the right side.
Enable or Disable "Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed" for All Users using REG file
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
This option uses the BackgroundModeEnabled policy for Microsoft Edge.
1 Do step 2 (always on), step 3 (always off), or step 4 (default) below for what you want.
2 Always Turn On "Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed" for All Users
This will override and gray out Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Always_enable_background_extensions_and_apps_when_Microsoft_Edge_closed_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"BackgroundModeEnabled"=dword:000000013 Always Turn Off "Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed" for All Users
This will override and gray out Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Disable_background_extensions_and_apps_when_Microsoft_Edge_closed_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"BackgroundModeEnabled"=dword:000000004 Default User Choice "Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed"
This is the default setting to allow using Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Default_user_choice_background_extensions_and_apps_when_Microsoft_Edge_closed_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"BackgroundModeEnabled"=-5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If Microsoft Edge is currently open, then close and reopen Microsoft Edge to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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