Why Is Microsoft Edge Using Too Much Memory? Discover Easy Steps to Lower RAM Usage!

Can You Quickly Stop Microsoft Edge From Slowing Down Windows 11? Find Out the Most Effective Fixes!

Microsoft Edge, like many browsers, can use a lot of memory. This is more likely if you have many tabs open or lots of extensions running. Sometimes, this makes your whole computer feel slow. Fixing high memory use is not hard. Use the steps below to help your computer run smoother and your browser stay fast.

Steps to Lower Edge’s Memory Use

Solution 1: Set a Memory Limit With Resource Controls

The latest Edge (version 125 and up) lets you cap the amount of RAM it uses. This is great if you play games or want other apps to stay fast.

How to Set a Memory Limit:

1. Open Edge.
2. Click the three dots in the upper right.
3. Choose “Settings“.
4. Click “System and performance“.
5. Find “Resource controls” and turn it on.
6. Decide when the RAM limit should apply (“Always” or “When gaming”).
7. Choose how much RAM Edge can use. If you set it too low, some tabs will sleep or reload more often.

Tip: Watch memory use in the “Browser essentials” sidebar.

Solution 2: Turn On Efficiency Mode and Sleeping Tabs

Efficiency mode makes Edge use less power and memory. Sleeping tabs go to sleep when not in use, freeing up memory.

How to Enable:

1. In Settings, go to “System and performance“.
2. Turn “Efficiency mode” to “Always“.
3. Turn on “Save resources with sleeping tabs” and “Fade sleeping tabs“.

Solution 3: Close Unused Tabs and Stop High-Usage Processes

Each tab and extension uses RAM.

How to Check:

1. Press Shift + Esc in Edge to open its Task Manager.
2. Sort by “Memory” to see the biggest users.
3. Select and end unimportant or heavy processes.

Solution 4: Clean Edge’s Cache and Cookies

Cache and cookies can build up and slow things down.

How to Clear:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Set range to “All time“.
3. Check “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files“.
4. Click “Clear now” (This will sign you out of most sites).

Solution 5: Turn Off Hardware Acceleration

Sometimes, using your computer’s graphics chip can cause problems.

How to Disable:

1. Type edge://settings/system in the address bar.
2. Turn “Use graphics acceleration when available” off.
3. Restart Edge.

Solution 6: Remove Unneeded Extensions

Some extensions use lots of memory.

How to Manage:

1. Click the Extensions icon or go to edge://extensions.
2. Remove or turn off ones you don’t need.
3. Restart Edge.

Solution 7: Disable Startup Boost and Background Processes

Edge can run in the background for faster starts, but this uses memory.

How to Turn Off:

1. In Settings > “System and performance“.
2. Turn off “Startup boost“.
3. Turn off “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed“.

Solution 8: Check for Problematic Sites

Some web pages use lots of memory because of scripts and media.

1. Use Edge’s Task Manager (Shift + Esc) to spot the worst tabs.
2. Try the same page in a different browser. If it slows both, the site may be the problem.
3. Limit time on heavy sites if possible.

Solution 9: Upgrade RAM or Change Virtual Memory If Needed

If you keep running out of memory with several apps open, upgrading helps.

Upgrading RAM to 16GB (or more) means more smooth multitasking.

Adjust virtual memory:

1. Right-click “This PC” > Properties > “Advanced system settings“.
2. Under “Performance“, click “Settings” > “Advanced” > “Virtual memory“.
3. Uncheck “Automatically manage…“, select drive, set “Initial size” to 1.5x your RAM (in MB), max to 3x.
4. Click “Set“, “OK“, and restart.

With these easy actions, Edge will use less memory and your computer can run faster and smoother. Make these changes as needed, and enjoy a faster Windows 11 experience every day.