- Microsoft is implementing a new feature to limit Edgeâs RAM usage on Windows devices.
- It allows you to set how much memory should be allocated for the browser while gaming or all the time.
- To manage resource controls, open Microsoft Edge> System and Performance, turn on âResource controls,â and set the memory limit for the browser.
- If the option is missing, you can enable it manually with this
--enable-features=msEdgeResourceControlsRamLimiter
 command.
Microsoft is building a feature that will allow you to limit the system memory usage of Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 and 10. According to the company, starting with version 125, the default browser for Windows devices will include new âResource controlsâ settings to manage RAM usage.
One of the constant problems with web browsers, especially Google Chrome, has been out-of-control memory usage, and this relates to Microsoft Edge because this browser is based on the Chromium engine, also developed by Google.
Microsoft has come up with ways to optimize its browser for performance with different features, such as the âEfficiency modeâ to optimize system resources when running on battery and the âSleeping tabsâ feature that puts tabs to sleep after some time of inactivity to free up system resources, including memory. However, the company is now taking it one step further with the new âResource controlsâ settings that allow you to specify exactly how much memory Microsoft Edge can use.
In this guide, I will teach you the steps to configure the memory limiter on the default browser of Windows.
Limit RAM usage on Microsoft Edge
To limit the amount of RAM that Edge can use on Windows, use these steps:
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Open Microsoft Edge.
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Click the Settings and more (three dots) button from the top-right.
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Choose the Settings option.
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Click on System and performance.Â
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Turn on the Resource controls toggle switch under the âManage your performanceâ section.
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Choose the âWhen youâre PC gamingâ option to turn on the feature only to reduce memory while playing games or the âAlwaysâ option to keep the feature always monitoring the resources.
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You can use the âControl how much RAM Edge can useâ slider to set the browserâs RAM limit.
Once you complete the steps, the settings will apply to the browser. Furthermore, you will also view the feature working from the âBrowser essentialsâ panel along with the other features.
Browser essentials RAM usage view
Itâs important to note that limiting the system resources that the browser can access will affect performance, depending on how much you restrict the setting.
Although this is a handy feature, you should allow the system to control the system resources automatically unless itâs really needed.
Enable RAM limiter on Edge
The feature is available in the latest preview of Microsoft Edge in the Beta Channel. If the feature isnât available, you will have to enable it manually by right-clicking the browser shortcut, choosing the âPropertiesâ option, and appending the --enable-features=msEdgeResourceControlsRamLimiter
line at the end of the âTargetâ setting. Then, click the âApplyâ and âOKâ buttons.
Microsoft Edge enable RAM limiter
Itâs unclear when this feature will roll out to users, but since thereâs a working preview in the browser, I expect it may take a few releases before everyone can access it. However, itâs important to note that not every feature that passes through the Canary Channel is guaranteed to ship in the final version.
Are you planning to enable the RAM limiter on Microsoft Edge? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Update May 3, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.
Source: Pureinfotech