After years of widely unpopular Internet Explorer dominance, Microsoft introduced Edge accompanying Windows 10, and just when users were about to make the switch, specific issues popped up. But, this one is easy to fix. Please read the following sections to find out all about Microsoft Edge’s high CPU usage in Windows 10/11 and its most effective solutions. Quick Tip: A quick fix is to use a different browser to surf the web. Running on a Chromium engine like Edge, Opera GX is a great replacement. Opera GX is built for gaming with CPU and RAM limiting features to ensure peak performance. So no matter how many open tabs, you don’t have to worry about background processes slowing to a crawl.

Why is my CPU usage so high when using Edge?

The issue generally arises when you have several extensions installed. Or, even one problematic extension can cause high CPU usage in Edge. And opening multiple tabs will automatically increase CPU usage. Also, certain websites, for instance, Google Earth, require CPU rendering, which increases the usage percentage. In addition, the Startup boost feature is known to lead to the problem.

Is Edge resource hungry?

Edge is certainly not a resource-hungry browser and performs way better than Google Chrome in this regard. So when you witness high CPU usage by Microsoft Edge Chromium, it’s due to a bunch of issues. Also, Edge has a built-in feature that removes ads that consume high resources. When that happens, you will see the message that Microsoft Edge removed this ad because it was using too many resources on your computer.

Which browser has the lowest CPU usage?

Regarding low CPU usage, Opera stands out from the crowd. No matter the number of extensions installed or the tabs open, it will not affect the system’s speed or create conflicts. Opera is developed so that the browser consumes way lower resources without compromising performance.

Does Chrome or Edge use more CPU?

You will find multiple internet tests involving Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, where both were tested for CPU usage. In almost all the tests, it was found that Google Chrome uses more CPU than Microsoft Edge. The CPU usage by Chrome was 30-40% higher than Edge. Several user reports show crashes and system slowdowns are more evident when using Google Chrome.

How do I fix high CPU usage on Microsoft Edge?

1. Disable Startup boost in Edge

Often, it’s the Startup boost feature behind high CPU usage in Edge, and disabling it did the trick for most users. SPONSORED

2. Scan for malware

The presence of a malicious infection might be another possible reason. However, remember that we’re roaming in the dark and trying to cover all possible bases. Now, even though this is an unlikely scenario, there are slight chances that some PUP was unwillingly installed. Malware that installs adware, toolbars, or spyware is known as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP). To avoid this, we advise scanning for malware and, in addition, using a specialized anti-PUP tool to detect and remove all problematic apps.

3. Clear the browser’s cache

Corrupt browsing data is likely to cause Microsoft Edge 100% CPU usage. So it’s best to clear it all and then check if the problem is resolved. In case it persists, head to the following method.

4. Run Edge without extensions

Browser add-ons or extensions are of the utmost importance for so many users. Therefore, every severe browser developer needs to make them available, starting with the ad-blockers and moving to various helpful utilities. Edge started without extensions, but now that it has them, users are pretty satisfied with what Microsoft’s new browser offers. However, even though they come through a standard inspection, they still come from a third-party developer. And thus might or might not be well-optimized. With that in mind, another viable troubleshooting step is to disable all extensions and look for changes. Later, you can, with the system of elimination, find out which one is causing the high CPU usage in Edge and memory leaks.

5. Update Microsoft Edge

You may try updating Microsoft Edge to fix high CPU usage if nothing else works. But in most cases, the methods listed earlier will solve the problem.

How do I fix Microsoft Edge’s high CPU usage on Windows 11?

Restart your PC. Run SFC Scan or DISM commands. Install the latest Windows update. Check if Microsoft Edge is running the latest version or not. Clear Microsoft Edge cache and cookies. Disable background apps. Scan your PC for viruses or malware. Disable all Edge extensions and check if any extension is the culprit or not.

How do I stop Edge from running in the background?

That’s how you can easily disable Edge and its installation extensions from running in the background.

Is it safe to uninstall Microsoft Edge?

The traditional way of uninstalling an app from your Windows PC does not apply to Microsoft Edge, it being an official Microsoft product. Microsoft has also mentioned that you can’t uninstall Edge from your PC because it is the default web browser recommended by the OS developers. The OS also allows them to install other browsers and use them freely. To uninstall Microsoft Edge, you need some command line magic, a topic of a different discussion. Uninstalling Microsoft Edge will bring you no benefit and instead could bring some complications if you uninstall it. Also, find out how to fix the Out of Memory error code in Microsoft Edge. If you have any other queries or know of a method not listed here, drop a comment below.

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