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How to Reduce RAM Usage in Windows 11 with Chrome & Edge (memory saver guide)

  • ryan00983
  • 9 hours ago
  • 2 min read

If your computer has been feeling slow lately, you’re not alone. Between rising hardware costs and Windows 11 using more system resources, many small business PCs are running closer to their limits than ever before.

One of the biggest culprits is your web browser. Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge can use a significant amount of RAM, especially if you have multiple tabs open throughout the day.

The good news is both browsers now include built-in memory saving features that can make a noticeable difference.

Why browsers use so much memory

Modern browsers are designed to keep multiple tabs active at once. This helps with speed and convenience, but it also means:

  • Each tab uses memory

  • Background tabs stay loaded

  • Extensions add extra overhead

Over time, this can slow down your system, especially on devices with 8–16GB of RAM.

How to enable Memory Saver in Google Chrome

Chrome includes a feature called Memory Saver which automatically frees up memory from inactive tabs.

To turn it on:

  1. Open Chrome

  2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner

  3. Go to Settings

  4. Select Performance

  5. Turn on Memory Saver

Once enabled, Chrome will put inactive tabs to sleep and free up RAM. When you return to a tab, it reloads automatically. 🔧 Updated Edge section (use this)

How to enable Sleeping Tabs in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge includes built-in performance features like Sleeping Tabs and Efficiency Mode, which help reduce memory usage from inactive tabs.

To enable Sleeping Tabs:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge

  2. In the address bar, go to:

    edge://settings/system/managePerformance

  3. Turn on Save resources with sleeping tabs

  4. Adjust how quickly tabs go to sleep (e.g. after 5 or 15 minutes)

Once enabled, Edge will automatically put inactive tabs to sleep, freeing up RAM and improving overall system performance.Extra tips to reduce RAM usage

Along with Memory Saver, you can also:

  • Close unused tabs regularly

  • Remove unnecessary browser extensions

  • Restart your browser occasionally

  • Keep Windows and your browser up to date

When to consider a hardware upgrade

If your system is still struggling after optimising your browser, it may be time to consider a RAM upgrade.

We’ve seen increased demand recently due to higher memory usage across modern applications, especially on Windows 11 systems.

Need help optimising your business PCs?

If your team is dealing with slow systems or performance issues, we can help assess your setup and recommend practical improvements.

We provide IT support for small businesses across Dandenong and Melbourne’s south-east, helping keep systems running smoothly and efficiently.

 
 
 
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