On Windows 11, Microsoft Edge is supposed to be fast second that you open it because of a feature called Startup Boost. Which keeps browser processes running in the background even after you close the app, allowing it to launch more quickly the next time you use it. Which from any logical standpoint is absolutely stupid since Startup Boost will consume hundreds of megabytes of RAM in the background, for no real gain... Even when the browser is not actively in use. So follow along as we show you how to disable one of the dumbest things Microsoft has ever added to Edge.
Takeaways:
- Learn how to fix Microsoft Edge wasting Ram on Windows 11.
- Learn how to disable startup boost on Microsoft Edge to have tons of system resources.
Table of Contents
Why Startup Boost Affects Performance
Startup Boost improves launch speed by preloading parts of the browser into memory. This reduces wait times when opening Edge, making it feel way more responsive. But! These background processes remain active at all times, which increases baseline RAM usage. Which is a total waste of RAM and energy. Plus, on devices with limited RAM, it means you'll have slower performance across the rest of your system. And to top it all off, it will also reduce battery efficiency on laptops, since background processes continue to run even when the browser is closed.
There is absolutely no reason for this feature exist and no reasons for you to leave it on now that it does exist.
How to Disable Startup Boost on Microsoft Edge and Reclaim RAM on Windows 11
To turn off Startup Boost in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, you'll need to do the following.
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Click the “Settings and more” menu in the top right corner
- Select Settings
- Navigate to “System and performance” in the left sidebar
- Locate the Startup Boost option
- Turn off the “Startup boost” toggle
For additional resource savings, you can also disable background activity:
- Turn off “Continue running background extensions and apps when Edge is closed”
- Restart your computer
What to Expect After Disabling
Once Startup Boost is disabled, Microsoft Edge will no longer run background processes at startup. This will reduce memory usage by hundreds of megabytes. (depending on your system configuration).
In testing, memory usage dropped by around 600 MB, though results will vary based on available RAM and system activity. The trade-off is a slightly slower browser launch time but what's a couple of seconds when you use your browser to having to deal with slow everything the rest of the time you're using your system. It's also affects games as well.
