Do I Need to Keep EXM Open in the Background?

In most cases, no, you do not need to keep EXM open in the background.

Once your optimizations have been applied, they stay applied unless they are manually reverted, changed by Windows, or affected by another program.

The one exception: Game Mode

The main reason you may need to keep EXM open is if you want to use Game Mode.

Game Mode relies on EXM actively running so it can manage the features tied to that mode while you are gaming.

If EXM is fully closed, Game Mode will not stay active.

When you do not need EXM open

You do not need to keep EXM running in the background for:

  • previously applied optimizations

  • most system changes already made through the app

  • settings that have already been written to Windows

Those changes are typically applied to the system itself, not only while the app is open.

When you should keep EXM open

You should keep EXM open if you are:

  • actively using Game Mode

  • using a feature that depends on EXM being live and running in real time

For most users, this is only relevant during a gaming session where Game Mode is being used.

Important note

Closing EXM does not normally remove your applied optimizations.

However, if a feature is designed to work only while EXM is actively running, such as Game Mode, then that feature will stop once the app is closed.

Need Help?

If you have any questions or run into anything unexpected, our support team is ready to help at support@exmtweaks.com.