How to Stop Opera GX from Running in the Background

Opera GX is a popular web browser known for its gaming-centric features and performance optimization tools. However, like many modern applications, it can continue to run in the background even after you’ve closed it, consuming system resources and potentially impacting performance. If you prefer to stop Opera GX from running in the background, follow these steps:

1. Disable Opera GX Background Processes

By default, Opera GX may keep background processes running to enable quick startup and continue background tasks like updates and notifications. To disable these processes:

1. Open Opera GX: Launch the browser to access its settings.
2. Access Settings: Click on the Opera GX menu icon (three horizontal lines or the “O” icon) in the top-left corner of the browser window, then select Settings.
3. Advanced Settings: Scroll down and click on Advanced to reveal more options.
4. System: Within the Advanced settings, find the System section.
5. Background Apps: Locate the option labeled Continue running background apps when Opera GX is closed and toggle it off. This will ensure that all Opera GX processes terminate when you close the browser.

2. Using Task Manager to End Background Processes

If you want to ensure that all Opera GX processes are terminated immediately, you can use the Task Manager:

1. Open Task Manager: Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. Find Opera GX Processes: In the Task Manager, look for any processes labeled Opera GX or similar.
3. End Tasks: Select each Opera GX process and click on End task. This will manually stop any remaining Opera GX processes running in the background.

3. Configure Startup Programs

Opera GX might be set to start automatically when you boot your computer. To disable this:

1. Open Task Manager: Access the Task Manager as described above.
2. Startup Tab: Navigate to the Startup tab.
3. Disable Opera GX: Find Opera GX in the list of startup programs. Right-click on it and select Disable. This will prevent Opera GX from starting automatically when you turn on your computer.

4. Check Browser Extensions

Certain extensions or add-ons in Opera GX might be causing the browser to run in the background. To manage extensions:

1. Open Extensions Page: Click on the Opera GX menu icon and select Extensions > Extensions.
2. Disable Unnecessary Extensions: Review the list of installed extensions and disable any that you do not need by toggling them off.

5. Regularly Update Opera GX

Ensure that you are using the latest version of Opera GX, as updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes:

1. Check for Updates: Click on the Opera GX menu icon, go to Update & Recovery, and click on Check for update.
2. Update the Browser: If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.

By following these steps, you can effectively stop Opera GX from running in the background, ensuring that your system resources are used more efficiently and your computer’s performance is optimized. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, consider reaching out to Opera GX’s support team or visiting their help forums for additional guidance.