How to Disable Automatic Tab Discarding in Chrome

Understanding Automatic Tab Discarding in Chrome

Chrome, the ubiquitous web browser from Google, is known for its speed and vast ecosystem of extensions. However, one feature that can sometimes frustrate users is automatic tab discarding. This built-in mechanism is designed to free up memory by automatically unloading inactive tabs. While this can be beneficial for overall performance, particularly on systems with limited resources, it can also lead to the annoyance of constantly reloading tabs you want to keep open. If you find yourself frequently encountering this issue, you might want to learn how to disable automatic tab discarding chrome.

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why Chrome discards tabs automatically. The primary reason is memory management. As you open more tabs, Chrome consumes more of your computer’s random-access memory (RAM). When memory becomes scarce, Chrome aggressively looks for ways to reclaim it. Automatic tab discarding identifies tabs that haven’t been used recently and unloads them from memory. This means the tab remains visible in your browser window, but the webpage’s content is removed from RAM. When you click on the tab again, Chrome has to reload the page from scratch.

Another contributing factor is battery life. On laptops and other mobile devices, keeping numerous tabs active can drain the battery quickly. By discarding inactive tabs, Chrome reduces the overall system load, which can help extend battery life.

While these are valid reasons for the feature, it’s not always desirable for users. Many people use Chrome to keep important information readily available, such as documents they are working on, articles they plan to read later, or web applications that run in the background. Constantly having to reload these tabs can be disruptive and time-consuming. Moreover, in some cases, it can lead to data loss if the web application doesn’t properly save your progress. For example, if you are writing a long email or filling out a complex form and Chrome discards the tab before you save, you could lose all your work. Therefore, disabling automatic tab discarding in chrome becomes a desirable option for many.

This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to prevent Chrome from automatically discarding your tabs, allowing you to keep your frequently used tabs alive and readily accessible. We will explore several methods, catering to different user preferences and technical skill levels.

Utilizing Chrome Flags to Prevent Tab Discarding

Chrome Flags are experimental features that are not yet part of the stable release of Chrome. They provide access to a wide range of settings and functionalities that can be used to customize the browser’s behavior. One of these flags allows you to disable automatic tab discarding. However, it’s important to remember that Chrome Flags are experimental, and using them can sometimes lead to instability or unexpected behavior. Proceed with caution and only modify flags that you understand. This is one of the most direct methods to disable automatic tab discarding chrome.

Here’s how to disable automatic tab discarding using Chrome Flags:

First, type `chrome://flags` into the address bar and press Enter. This will open the Chrome Flags page, which displays a list of all available experimental features.

Next, use the search bar at the top of the page to search for “Automatic tab discarding”. Alternatively, you could search for “tab discarding” or “discarding mode”.

Among the search results, locate the flag labeled “Discarding mode”. This flag controls the behavior of Chrome’s automatic tab discarding feature.

Click the drop-down menu next to the “Discarding mode” flag. By default, it is usually set to “Default.” Change this setting to “Disabled.”

Once you have disabled the flag, a button labeled “Relaunch” will appear at the bottom of the page. Click this button to restart Chrome. This is necessary for the changes to take effect.

After Chrome restarts, the automatic tab discarding feature should be disabled. Your tabs should no longer be automatically unloaded from memory, even if they are inactive for extended periods.

Keep in mind that Chrome Flags are subject to change. Google may remove or modify flags at any time, so this method may not work in future versions of Chrome. If you experience any issues after disabling this flag, you can always revert to the default setting by following the same steps and selecting “Default” from the drop-down menu.

Leveraging Chrome Extensions to Manage Tab Behavior

Another way to prevent Chrome from discarding your tabs is to use a Chrome extension. Several extensions are designed specifically to manage tab behavior and prevent automatic unloading. These extensions often offer more granular control over tab discarding than Chrome Flags, allowing you to customize the behavior to your specific needs.

One popular extension is “The Great Suspender (revived)”. While the original “The Great Suspender” is no longer actively maintained, several revived versions are available. This extension allows you to automatically suspend inactive tabs after a specified period of time. However, unlike Chrome’s built-in discarding feature, “The Great Suspender” provides more control over which tabs are suspended and when. You can also whitelist specific websites or domains to prevent them from being suspended.

Another useful extension is simply named “Disable automatic tab discarding”. This extension aims to be lightweight and straightforward, directly preventing Chrome from automatically discarding any tabs. It doesn’t offer as many customization options as “The Great Suspender,” but it’s a simpler solution for users who just want to disable the feature entirely.

To install and use an extension, follow these steps:

First, open the Chrome Web Store by typing `chrome.google.com/webstore` in the address bar and pressing Enter.

Next, use the search bar at the top of the page to search for the extension you want to install (e.g., “The Great Suspender (revived)” or “Disable automatic tab discarding”).

Click on the extension you want to install.

On the extension’s page, click the “Add to Chrome” button.

A confirmation dialog will appear, asking you to confirm that you want to install the extension. Click “Add extension” to confirm.

Once the extension is installed, it will typically add an icon to the Chrome toolbar. You can click on this icon to access the extension’s settings and configure its behavior.

Pros and Cons of using Extensions: Extensions offer an easier solution than diving into Chrome flags. They also provide granular control. However, extensions can affect browser performance, and you need to trust the third party developer.

Adjusting Chrome’s Memory Saver Settings

Modern versions of Chrome include a built-in feature called “Memory Saver,” designed to improve performance by automatically putting inactive tabs to sleep. This is a more refined version of the earlier tab discarding feature. While the goal is similar, the Memory Saver offers more user control. You can choose to turn Memory Saver on or off completely, or you can create an exception list of websites that should always stay active.

To adjust Chrome’s Memory Saver settings, follow these steps:

First, click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the Chrome window to open the Chrome menu.

Next, select “Settings” from the menu.

In the Settings menu, click on “Performance” in the left-hand sidebar.

On the Performance page, you will find the “Memory Saver” option. You can toggle this option on or off to enable or disable the feature.

If you want to keep Memory Saver enabled but prevent it from putting specific websites to sleep, you can add them to the “Always keep these sites active” list. To do this, click the “Add” button next to the list and enter the website’s address.

By carefully adjusting these settings, you can balance the benefits of Memory Saver with the need to keep important tabs active.

Managing Resources to Minimize Tab Discarding

Even with automatic tab discarding disabled, it’s still important to manage your browser resources effectively. Opening too many tabs can still lead to performance issues, even if Chrome isn’t actively discarding them. This is particularly true if you have a lot of tabs with resource-intensive content, such as videos, animations, or complex web applications. If Chrome or the computer is slow, you can disable automatic tab discarding chrome but also take other steps.

Chrome includes a built-in Task Manager that can help you identify tabs that are consuming a lot of resources. To open the Chrome Task Manager, press Shift+Esc (Windows) or Search+Esc (Chromebook). On macOS, you can find it under the “Window” menu.

The Chrome Task Manager displays a list of all active tabs and extensions, along with their CPU usage, memory footprint, and network activity. By monitoring these metrics, you can identify tabs that are hogging resources and close them if they are not needed.

Another way to manage your tabs is to use Chrome’s tab grouping feature. This allows you to organize related tabs into groups, which can help you keep your browser window tidy and reduce clutter. You can create a tab group by right-clicking on a tab and selecting “Add tab to new group”. You can then name the group and assign it a color. This method can help make closing unnecessary tabs simpler.

Troubleshooting Persistent Tab Discarding Issues

Even after following the steps above, you may still encounter instances where Chrome discards your tabs. If this happens, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

Double-check your Chrome Flags settings to ensure that the “Discarding mode” flag is still set to “Disabled.” Sometimes, Chrome updates can reset flags to their default values.

Disable any conflicting extensions. Some extensions may interfere with Chrome’s tab management features. Try disabling extensions one by one to see if any of them are causing the issue.

Restart Chrome. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.

Update Chrome to the latest version. New versions of Chrome often include bug fixes and performance improvements.

If you are still experiencing issues, it’s possible that your system is running low on memory. Close any unnecessary applications to free up memory. If possible, consider upgrading your computer’s RAM.

Conclusion

Automatic tab discarding in chrome can be a useful feature for managing memory and extending battery life, but it can also be frustrating for users who want to keep important tabs active. Fortunately, Chrome provides several ways to disable or customize this feature. By using Chrome Flags, installing a tab management extension, or adjusting Chrome’s Memory Saver settings, you can tailor the browser’s behavior to your specific needs. Remember to balance convenience with system performance and choose the method that works best for you. Don’t forget that periodically reviewing and closing unnecessary tabs, even with tab discarding disabled, is good practice. By taking these steps, you can enjoy a smoother and more productive browsing experience.