Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsChrome’s Memory Saver is a built-in desktop setting, not a paid upgrade or separate product. Find it under Settings > Performance, switch it on, then choose how soon unused tabs should become inactive: Moderate waits longer, Balanced is Google’s recommended middle setting, and Maximum acts sooner.
What Chrome Memory Saver does
Memory Saver deactivates tabs you are not currently using to free computer memory for other tasks. When you return to an inactive tab, Chrome automatically reloads it. That can reduce the amount of memory held by idle tabs, but it also means a tab may need to reload before you can continue using it.
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Google describes the settings in relative terms and does not publish fixed inactivity times or measured memory reductions for them. The exact timing and the benefit on a particular computer therefore cannot be predicted from the setting alone. Google Chrome Help: Personalize Chrome performance.
How to turn on Memory Saver and choose a level
- Open Chrome on your computer.
- Open the three-dot menu and select Settings.
- Select Performance.
- Turn on Memory Saver.
- Choose Moderate, Balanced (recommended), or Maximum.
These instructions apply to desktop Chrome. Google says performance settings cannot be personalized on Android or iOS.
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Which Memory Saver level should you choose?
The levels trade off how aggressively Chrome saves memory against how long an unused tab waits before deactivation. Google does not attach a specific number of minutes or a RAM-savings figure to any level.
| Level | Relative memory-saving aggressiveness | When unused tabs become inactive | Practical fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Moderate | After a longer period | Choose it if keeping tabs ready for longer matters more than deactivating them quickly. |
| Balanced (recommended) | Balanced | After an optimal period, in Google’s description | A reasonable starting point if you do not have a specific preference. |
| Maximum | Maximum | After a shorter period | Choose it if you prefer unused tabs to be deactivated sooner. |
The practical-fit descriptions are interpretations of Google’s relative labels, not guarantees of a particular memory or speed improvement.
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How to keep a particular site active
If a site loses useful state or its activity is interrupted when a tab is deactivated, add it to Chrome’s exception list. In Chrome, open Settings > Performance > Always keep these sites active. You can add a site that is currently open or enter a web address manually. Google’s help page explains URL patterns for domains, subdomains, paths, and wildcards; check its examples if you need an exception broader or narrower than one address.
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Memory Saver does not necessarily deactivate every unused tab. Google lists these conditions as ones that may prevent deactivation:
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- Audio or video is playing, or a call is active.
- The tab is sharing the screen.
- The page is sending notifications.
- A download is active.
- A form is partially filled in.
- The tab is pinned.
- A USB or Bluetooth device is connected to the page.
These are possible reasons, not a guarantee that a tab in any one situation will always remain active.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to try if Chrome still feels slow
Memory Saver addresses unused-tab memory, but it may not resolve every cause of slow browsing. Google’s separate speed guide recommends a few other browser-management steps:
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- Update Chrome. Install any available browser update.
- Close tabs you do not need. Memory Saver is not a substitute for closing pages you have finished using.
- Review extensions. Turn off or remove extensions you do not need.
- Check Chrome Task Manager. Sort tasks by memory to find resource-heavy tabs or background pages. You can select a task and end it, but any unsaved work in that task will be lost.
Chrome also offers page-preloading controls, which relate to browsing speed rather than tab memory management. Preloading has separate privacy implications: Chrome may use cookies if allowed and may encrypt and send pages through Google to conceal your identity from sites. Review Google’s explanation before changing that setting. Google Chrome Help: Speed up Google Chrome.
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