--- a/chrome/browser/background/background_mode_manager.cc
+++ b/chrome/browser/background/background_mode_manager.cc
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ void BackgroundModeManager::RegisterPref
   registry->RegisterBooleanPref(prefs::kChromeCreatedLoginItem, false);
   registry->RegisterBooleanPref(prefs::kMigratedLoginItemPref, false);
 #endif
-  registry->RegisterBooleanPref(prefs::kBackgroundModeEnabled, true);
+  registry->RegisterBooleanPref(prefs::kBackgroundModeEnabled, false);
 }
 
 
