Microsoft just gave Edge a great new feature to ensure the browser doesnt
slow down the PC, and its tempting me to switch from Google Chrome

Date:
Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:57:41 +0000

Description:
In the Edge vs Chrome battle, Microsoft just landed a telling blow a nifty new RAM limiter feature.

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Microsoft Edge just got a smart feature that a fair few people have been keenly awaiting for a long time now the ability to control how much RAM the web browser gobbles up, with a useful side serving for gamers here, too.

Windows Latest reports that resource controls are now live in the finished (stable) version of Edge, after having been in testing since around the
middle of 2024 .

These are controls to limit how much RAM that Edge uses (certainly not the only hardware resource in a computer, but a major part of the picture, particularly for a web browser when running a whole load of tabs).

The resource controls panel offers a slider that can be adjusted to make all of the system RAM on your PC available to Edge, or as little as 1GB.

You can also choose whether that limit applies all the time, or only when youre playing a PC game. The latter option allows those keen on gaming to
have Edge operating normally, with the full amount of RAM , when doing other tasks, but whenever a PC game is running, the browsers allocation of system memory can be trimmed down considerably to help ensure games run a bit more smoothly.

It likely wont be a world of difference for gamers, but every extra frame helps in terms of having a better gameplay experience. Google Chrome, take notes. (Image credit: Wachiwit / Shutterstock) Analysis: A definite Edge over Chrome

You might be thinking: why would I want to have Edge running while Im gaming, anyway? Fair point, and closing the browser completely is obviously going to free up the maximum amount of memory resources for the PC game youre playing.

However, there may be situations where youre tackling a single-player game
and get stuck, needing to consult a walkthrough. So, in that case, you might want Edge running in the background with the walkthrough open so you can Alt-Tab between the game and the tips. Youll want a minimal impact on your gaming session, so you can turn Edge right down to use just a small amount of RAM.

Obviously, Edge can be limited in the general use of your computer, too, giving more of your RAM to the other apps you have running on your PC, but Id be very careful about being too stingy with the memory allocation for Microsofts browser. Turning it down to the absolute minimum of 1GB of RAM (or near there) is likely to make Edge chug like a rusty old steamboat,
especially if you have multiple tabs open.

My advice, then, is not to go too far to the left (minimum) side with that
RAM slider, and start with a more middling setting to test the waters. As you might imagine, itll be a bit of trial-and-error as to exactly where might be best to position the slider for your particular system.

Overall, the new resource controls are a smart move to give Edge something extra over its big rival Chrome . Googles browser does have performance
alerts , along with a Memory Saver feature (which makes tabs that havent been used for a while inactive to save RAM), but this doesnt provide anything like the same level of control as this fresh introduction for Edge.

Ive got to say that Im more tempted than ever to switch to Edge at this
point. I do use Microsofts browser as a secondary option right now, here and there, but maybe its time to start thinking about adopting it as a primary candidate or at least giving that a whirl for a time. You might also like Microsoft gets rid of Edge uninstall advice page after facing criticism over it having nothing to do with removing the app, and just promoting the browser instead Has the rush to upgrade to Windows 11 just begun? New stats show a marked uptick as Windows 10 End of Life looms later in 2025 How to use Microsoft Edge



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/microsoft-just-gave-edge-a-great-new- feature-to-ensure-the-browser-doesnt-slow-down-the-pc-and-its-tempting-me-to-s witch-from-google-chrome


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