What Are Sleeping Tabs?
Microsoft Edge includes a feature called Sleeping Tabs that automatically puts unused browser tabs into a low-power state after a period of inactivity.
Instead of dozens of open tabs consuming memory and processor time in the background, Edge temporarily pauses tabs you are not using. When you return to a sleeping tab, it wakes up automatically and continues where you left off.
For most users, this feature provides a noticeable improvement in browser and PC performance.
Recently we helped somebody who had a cloud based CRM. It was slowing down all of the computers but they couldn’t see why. Every time they opened a new case, the PC got slower because it opened a new TAB in Edge.
We turned this on, and the problem went away immediatley.
Benefits of Sleeping Tabs
Faster Computer Performance
When many tabs are open, each tab consumes memory (RAM) and processor resources.
Sleeping Tabs releases these resources from inactive tabs so that active tabs and other applications can run more smoothly. Microsoft reports that sleeping tabs can significantly reduce memory and CPU usage, particularly for users who keep many tabs open.
Reduced Memory Usage
Microsoft’s testing has shown that sleeping tabs can reduce browser memory usage substantially, helping prevent slowdowns caused by excessive RAM consumption.
Improved Battery Life
For laptops, reducing CPU activity means less power consumption. Sleeping Tabs helps extend battery life by reducing background activity from unused websites.
Better Multitasking
If you regularly use Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and multiple web applications at the same time, Sleeping Tabs allows Edge to consume fewer resources, leaving more available for the applications you are actively using.
How to Enable Sleeping Tabs
Method 1 – Open Edge Performance Settings
Open Microsoft Edge and browse to:
edge://settings/system/managePerformance
Alternatively:
- Click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Select System and Performance.
- Scroll to Performance.
Method 2 – Enable Sleeping Tabs
- Turn on Save resources with sleeping tabs.
- Choose how long a tab must be inactive before it goes to sleep.
Common settings are:
| Setting | Recommended For |
|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | Maximum performance |
| 30 Minutes | Most business users |
| 1 Hour | General use |
| 2 Hours+ | Users who frequently revisit tabs |
Microsoft allows settings from as little as 30 seconds up to 12 hours.
Keep Important Sites Awake
Some websites should remain active all the time, such as:
- Microsoft Teams
- Outlook Web Access
- CRM systems
- Monitoring dashboards
- Remote access portals
To prevent these sites from sleeping:
- Open Edge Performance Settings.
- Locate Always keep these sites active.
- Click Add site.
- Enter the website address.
Edge will never put these websites to sleep.
How Do I Know a Tab Is Sleeping?
Sleeping tabs appear slightly faded in the tab bar.
Simply click the tab and it will wake up automatically. Your page content remains available and usually reactivates within a second.
Our Recommendation
At Andisa IT, we recommend enabling Sleeping Tabs on all business PCs unless a user relies on web applications that must remain active continuously.
For most users, setting tabs to sleep after 30 minutes provides an excellent balance between performance and convenience.
If you regularly work with dozens of browser tabs, this simple setting can improve PC responsiveness, reduce memory usage and help extend laptop battery life with virtually no downside.
Quick Link
Open Edge Performance Settings:
edge://settings/system/managePerformance
