I have only one tab open. However, Google Chrome has multiple processes running in the background in Task Manager. How do I stop Google Chrome from running several processes?
You may notice that Google Chrome creates multiple processes on your Windows computer when you run the Chrome browser. You see these Chrome.exe processes when you open Windows Task Manager.
Why does Google Chrome need to run so many processes? Why does each Chrome process do? Here are the answer and ways for disabling multiple processes on Google Chrome.
Google Chrome & Multiple Processes
Google Chrome opens a process for every tab, extension or addon once you open the Chrome browser. In other words, each time you open a tab, Chrome creates a process.
Each time you install a plugin, Chrome opens another process for the plugin. Chrome creates a process for each element of the browser.
Why Does Chrome Need To Create So Many Proccesses
Why does Google Chrome create so many Windows processes? Hmm, think about it. If there is only one process, and the browser crashes, then you lose everything.
To prevent complete failure, Chrome creates a process for each tab, extension, etc. So, if one tab/process crashes, the others remain fully functional. The same holds true for plugins and extensions.
Google Chrome Task Manager
To see which processes are running, access Google Chrome’s Task Manager by pressing “Shift” + “Esc“. Each process in the Chrome Task Manager also runs in the Windows Task Manage as a process.
Hence, if you choose the “End process” in the Chrome Task Manager, it also terminates the process in Windows Task Manager. Here, you also see the GPU Process.
How To Terminate Google Chrome Processes
Now you know a bit about Google Chrome and the multiple processes that it creates. However, how do you disable background processes and stop Chrome from using too much of your computer’s memory?
There are two ways to turn off the processes. One way is to use the Google Chrome Task Manager. The other involves stopping background processes altogether.
And, of course, there is a third way for those of us concerned about memory issues with Chrome. However, let us get the two most important things out of the way first.
Turn Off Chrome Background Processes
- Select “Menu” > “Settings” > “Show advanced settings…”
- Uncheck the “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed” option in the “System” section.
This setting prevents Google Chrome from running in the background even after you close the Chrome browser. Apps that run in the background include Google Now and Hangouts.
End Processes via Google Task Manager
- With Google Chrome open, press “Shift” + “Esc.“
- The Google Chrome Task Manager should appear
- Left click the process you want to end
- Click end process
Use the Google Chrome Task Manager to manage processes that use too much memory. You can view the amount of memory each process uses in the second tab of the Chrome Task Manager.
Use Less Tabs & Extensions
And, thirdly, use fewer tabs and extensions. If you have a tab open and you’re not using it, try bookmarking the page instead. You can sync Chrome bookmarks across all your devices.
Also, disable unnecessary plugins and extensions as these lead to more processes and memory usage. Delete them if you do not need or use them.
Are you having trouble with Google Chrome and multiple processes? Or do you know of any other tips? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
Google should stop making excuses for this deficiency with Chrome. I understand all the performance reasons why you would want to keep multiple processes running, and I understand how to disable processes from running in the background when Chrome is stopped. Unfortunately none of this helps if you like to leave chrome open so that you don’t have to keep launching it. Invariably I STILL must pull up Task Manager to kill off Chrome processes that are, more than likely, hogging memory resources and sending the system into ‘molasses mode’.
So either I am completely missing a way to really prevent this problem, or Google hasn’t found a way to fix it. EIther way, I am not happy.
Google should stop making excuses for this deficiency with Chrome. I understand all the performance reasons why you would want to keep multiple processes running, and I understand how to disable processes from running in the background when Chrome is stopped. Unfortunately none of this helps if you like to leave chrome open so that you don’t have to keep launching it. Invariably I STILL must pull up Task Manager to kill off Chrome processes that are, more than likely, hogging memory resources and sending the system into ‘molasses mode’.
So either I am completely missing a way to really prevent this problem, or Google hasn’t found a way to fix it. EIther way, I am not happy.
The problem that I keep running into is that, even with background processes disallowed, no sites with any type of background/data completion permissions and no extensions, I still have 2 ‘Google Chrome’ processes in windows task manager (Comodo KillSwitch) after I close Chrome. They are not persistent, so when I kill them they stay dead until I open Chrome again, but will stay active until I kill them again…any ideas?
48 chrome processes( chrome 80) open in task manager with 2 tabs open and 3 extensions quad core 3 gig cpu ground to a halt ( it took chrome task manager to delete some processes before windows task manager even appeared) total of 2 gB memory taken by chrome , it looks like chrome preloads every link or video page on a web page which has to be nonsense
I have the background apps under system unchecked but I still have 7 or 8 processes open in task manager, 2 or 3 that are huge. Why? And when I try to close them in task manager I have to select them several times or on some I get a warning that access is denied. Why?