Microsoft Edge has earned a reputation as an efficient, Chromium-based browser that comes pre-installed on Windows 11. Yet, many users have reported instances of high memory usage that seem to hog vital system resources and rob other applications of their fair share. If you’ve noticed Microsoft Edge bloating your system’s memory footprint, you’re not alone. Below, we delve into eight practical, step-by-step methods to reclaim your computer’s performance and ensure your browsing experience remains smooth and responsive.
Microsoft Edge is engineered to be a leaner alternative to dominant browsers like Google Chrome. Despite its efficient design, the high memory usage can still arise when users load too many tabs or pile on excessive extensions. This phenomenon isn’t a flaw exclusive to Edge—it’s a common challenge among modern browsers driven by complex web experiences.
User Behavior Is Crucial:
Even the most optimized system can falter under the weight of poor habits. By consciously limiting the number of simultaneously open tabs and periodically cleaning your browsing data, you’re not only ensuring smoother performance but also prolonging the lifespan of your hardware.
Hardware Upgrades Are an Option:
While software tweaks can alleviate memory strain to a point, there comes a moment when system upgrades (like additional RAM) might be needed if high-resource websites or multitasking demands persist.
A Balancing Act:
Internet users often need to balance functionality with performance. Is that extension really essential? Do you really need all those open tabs at once? Taking control over these aspects can transform your computing experience.
By keeping these tips in mind and implementing them step-by-step, Windows users can enjoy a faster, more responsive PC, ensuring that Microsoft Edge remains an asset rather than an obstacle in your everyday digital tasks. Whether you’re a power user juggling multiple accounts or simply someone who values a snappy, efficient browser experience, these strategies are designed to help you reclaim control over your device’s memory and boost overall performance.
Stay tuned for more insights on Windows performance optimizations, and remember—a well-tuned browser is the first step towards a well-tuned system. Happy browsing!
Source: TechPP Fix Microsoft Edge High Memory Usage on Windows - TechPP
Understanding Microsoft Edge’s Memory Behavior
Despite its streamlined design compared to some of its competitors, Microsoft Edge can sometimes stretch its memory usage beyond what most users deem acceptable. Under typical conditions, browsing with two or three active tabs should only pull in roughly 500MB or less of memory. However, several factors contribute to spikes in usage:- Multiple Open Tabs: Every additional tab consumes memory. Unused but open tabs can accumulate data over time.
- Excessive Extensions: While extensions add functionality, each one runs a background process and contributes to the overall resource load.
- Heavy Websites: Certain websites—especially those offering dynamic content or running SaaS applications—can be particularly demanding.
- Advanced Features: Graphical enhancements and background processes may also amplify memory usage.
1. Start Fresh: Close Tabs & Restart
Before diving into more technical tweaks, let’s start with the basics. If Microsoft Edge appears to be consuming an unusual amount of memory, consider these initial steps:- Close Unnecessary Tabs: An overloaded browser with countless open pages isn’t just a visual clutter—it can bog down your system.
- End Processes in Task Manager: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and observe the memory footprint of Microsoft Edge. If it looks suspiciously high, try closing it from the Task Manager.
- Restart Your PC: Sometimes, an old adage holds true—a fresh start can often clear out any memory glitches and reset performance parameters.
2. Clear Out the Crumbs: Cookies & Cache
Cached data and cookies are meant to speed up your browsing experience, but over time, they can become bloated or even corrupt, causing unexpected memory spikes. Here’s how to clean house:- Access the History Menu: Click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of Edge or simply press Ctrl+H.
- Initiate the Cleanup: In the History panel, click on the Bin icon to open the “Delete browsing data” overlay.
- Adjust Settings Appropriately: Set the Time Range to “All time” and check the boxes for Cookies and other site data as well as Cached images and files. You might also include browsing history and download history for a truly fresh start.
- Finalize and Restart: Click “Clear now,” wait a few moments for the cleanup to complete, and then restart your PC. Open Microsoft Edge again to verify if the memory consumption has normalized.
3. Identify the Troublemaker: Resource-Hungry Websites
Not all high memory usage originates from Edge itself. Sometimes, a single website loaded with heavy scripts, multimedia content, or complex SaaS functionalities can spike resource consumption:- Monitor Activity in Task Manager: Expand the Microsoft Edge process in Task Manager to inspect which websites are using disproportionate resources.
- Test Across Browsers: To isolate the culprit, open the same website in another browser and compare resource usage.
- Consider Alternatives: If a particular website is straining Microsoft Edge—but functions normally on other browsers—you might want to switch to using another browser for that site.
4. Activate Efficiency Mode and Sleeping Tabs
Windows 11 has embraced features that extend battery life and optimize resource usage, not just for laptops but for desktop users too. Two notable features in Edge are Efficiency Mode and Sleeping Tabs:- Efficiency Mode:
- Navigate to Edge’s Settings by clicking the three-dot icon.
- Go to “System and performance.”
- Locate and toggle on Efficiency Mode. For an extra boost, also enable “Turn on efficiency mode when connected to power.”
- This feature minimizes system resource consumption without sacrificing performance.
- Sleeping Tabs:
- In the same “System and performance” section, toggle on “Save resources with sleeping tabs.”
- Also consider activating “Fade sleeping tabs” so inactive tabs visibly recede into slumber.
5. Tinker with Graphics Acceleration Settings
Edge’s Graphics Acceleration is designed to offload graphic-rich tasks to your GPU, freeing up the CPU. However, in some cases, this feature can lead to unexpected memory hogs:- Access Settings: Visit Edge’s Settings and head to “System and performance.”
- Toggle the Option: React to the “Use graphics acceleration when available” setting. Depending on your system’s configuration, you might gain performance by turning it off or, conversely, by enabling it.
- Test and Observe: Make the change and restart the browser to see if there’s an improvement in resource usage.
6. Prevent Phantom Processes: Disable Startup Boost and Background Extensions
A persistent background presence of Microsoft Edge can drain memory even when you’re not actively browsing:- Disable Startup Boost:
- In the “System and performance” section, toggle off the “Startup boost” option. This stops Edge from preloading background processes every time your PC boots.
- Shut Down Background Extensions:
- Likewise, disable the feature under “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.”
- This ensures that closing the browser also ends all related background processes.
7. Leverage the Performance Detector
Microsoft Edge incorporates a nifty feature known as Performance Detector, which continuously monitors resource usage and flags tabs or processes that deviate from normal behavior:- Activate Performance Detector:
- Head to “System and performance” in Edge’s Settings.
- Toggle the “Performance detector” on to allow Edge to monitor resource usage actively.
- Follow Recommendations:
- When Performance Detector flags an issue, follow the on-screen recommendations to resolve abnormal behavior.
8. Streamline by Removing Unnecessary Extensions
Extensions can often be double-edged swords: while they enhance functionality, they also multiply background processes and escalate memory consumption:- Access Extensions:
- Click on the Extensions icon on the toolbar to review all installed add-ons.
- Trim the Fat:
- For each unessential extension, click the three-dot icon next to it and select “Remove from Microsoft Edge.”
- Consider limiting your extensions to those that are absolutely necessary for your daily tasks.
Additional Considerations and Broader Implications
Why Does Edge Seem to Handle Memory Better Than Chrome?Microsoft Edge is engineered to be a leaner alternative to dominant browsers like Google Chrome. Despite its efficient design, the high memory usage can still arise when users load too many tabs or pile on excessive extensions. This phenomenon isn’t a flaw exclusive to Edge—it’s a common challenge among modern browsers driven by complex web experiences.
User Behavior Is Crucial:
Even the most optimized system can falter under the weight of poor habits. By consciously limiting the number of simultaneously open tabs and periodically cleaning your browsing data, you’re not only ensuring smoother performance but also prolonging the lifespan of your hardware.
Hardware Upgrades Are an Option:
While software tweaks can alleviate memory strain to a point, there comes a moment when system upgrades (like additional RAM) might be needed if high-resource websites or multitasking demands persist.
A Balancing Act:
Internet users often need to balance functionality with performance. Is that extension really essential? Do you really need all those open tabs at once? Taking control over these aspects can transform your computing experience.
Conclusion
High memory usage by Microsoft Edge on Windows doesn’t have to be a persistent headache. With a few adjustments—from clearing your cookies and cache to leveraging Efficiency Mode, tweaking graphics settings, and curtailing background processes—you can transform your browser into a more resource-efficient tool. Along with proper extension management and an occasional restart or two, these eight approaches can help you strike the perfect balance between a feature-rich browsing experience and optimal system performance.By keeping these tips in mind and implementing them step-by-step, Windows users can enjoy a faster, more responsive PC, ensuring that Microsoft Edge remains an asset rather than an obstacle in your everyday digital tasks. Whether you’re a power user juggling multiple accounts or simply someone who values a snappy, efficient browser experience, these strategies are designed to help you reclaim control over your device’s memory and boost overall performance.
Stay tuned for more insights on Windows performance optimizations, and remember—a well-tuned browser is the first step towards a well-tuned system. Happy browsing!
Source: TechPP Fix Microsoft Edge High Memory Usage on Windows - TechPP
