Google Chrome is the most popular internet browser for Windows users. It is also known to consume system resources the moment you start it. Among these resources is the computer. RAM. Fortunately, there are a few tricks to reduce the number of uses of Google Chrome and prevent your laptop from sounding like it’s seconds away from liftoff.
RAM, or random access memory, is temporary storage. It is the storage needed to launch applications, files, and other computer programs. Think of it like a capacitor that stores energy before a battery starts distributing it where it’s needed. The battery, in this case, is the internal memory of your PC, be it HDD or SSD. This fast acceleration approach allows you to launch files, folders, and applications without waiting for your internal memory to sift through thousands or millions of other files. Unfortunately, some programs use more RAM than their fair share, leaving little for other programs.
Sign in to Chrome. Chrome is a RAM hog that only gets worse the more you use it. As you start piling on extensions, themes, and apps, for example, Chrome only gets slower and noisier. We’re all familiar with laptop freaks who freak out when they launch Chrome, right?
Why does Chrome use a lot of RAM?
Chrome is an excellent web browser. It’s easy to see why someone would want to use something so customizable that it has become the standard by which most websites are built and tested. Naturally, the only way you can accomplish many of the things you do really well is by grabbing land for the resources you need to do it. One of these resources is RAM. And Chrome needs a lot… although it has improved slightly in recent years.
If you open your Task Manager while using Chrome, you will notice multiple Google Chrome processes running. The reason is that it creates a separate process for each running tab, extension, and plugin. Doing so increases system stability because each tab is independent of the others. Even if one fails, the other tabs continue to work. This is one of the features that we love about Chrome, blocking a tab or extension, for example, does not block the browser. But that has a cost.
Another benefit of separating the processes is increased security as data from each tab is not shared without permission. Unfortunately, multiple processes mean that Chrome has to duplicate many of its background tasks. It is similar to opening the same program multiple times, so it requires more RAM.
How to reduce Chrome’s RAM usage
Many Chrome users have a love/hate relationship with the software. It offers the speed and simplicity that revolutionized Internet browsing, but at the expense of your precious RAM. Upgrading your RAM to somewhere higher than 8 GB can solve this problem. But unfortunately, not everyone has the money to do so.
If upgrading your hardware isn’t an option, improving the way you use Chrome is the way to go. Here are some ways to free up some of your RAM while using Chrome.
Close unnecessary tabs
The most obvious way to reduce the RAM used by Chrome is to close unnecessary tabs. If you think you already have the information you need from a website, close the corresponding tab. Alternatively, you can always try using fewer tabs when browsing the Internet.
Avoid creating new tabs for every website and web page you visit. Your computer takes time to clear the RAM used by a process. The sooner you close a tab, the faster you can free up more RAM. If you really need to return to a website from time to time, opt to bookmark it. That way you’ll never lose it, but you won’t be continually using system resources.
Uninstall old extensions
Extensions are mini-programs that provide additional functionality that is not native to Google Chrome. Unfortunately, some older third-party extensions don’t update as diligently as they should.
Outdated extensions may not work properly with Google Chrome and in some cases create process loops that can crash your system. Follow the steps below to uninstall an old Chrome extension.
1. Open Google Chrome settings.
two. Click on Extensions in the left side navigation panel. This will open a new tab that lists all of your installation extensions.
3. Find your old extension and click the Remove button. You can also disable it, but uninstalling is a more complete and permanent solution.
4. Click you want to remove the extension and restart Chrome.
Run a malware scan for your computer
Some malware viruses are designed to run continuously in the background while Chrome is running. This type of malware became more prevalent after cryptocurrencies went mainstream. Cryptomining malware programs use your system resources, including RAM, to solve complex problems. Once resolved, the malware developers receive cryptocurrency.
With an up-to-date antivirus program, you can find and remove these viruses that plague your system. Keep in mind that the best cure for viruses is prevention. Be sure to avoid sketchy websites and never install any program unless you are sure it does not contain malware.
reset chrome
If none of the above tricks work, your best option is to reset Chrome. You can reset your browser by software or by hardware. To restart Google Chrome, Go to Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean > Reset settings to their original defaults > Reset settings. Doing this will only undo most of the settings and customizations you have made to your browser. To completely reset (hard reset) your Google Chrome browser, you will need to uninstall and reinstall it.
