Microsoft Edge Canary now shows how much Sleeping Tabs save PC resources

Microsoft Edge Update Restart
Microsoft Edge Update Restart (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Edge Canary now shows an estimate for how much the Sleeping Tabs feature saves PC resources.
  • Sleeping Tabs reduce the processing power and RAM used by your PC by freezing tabs.
  • By using less of your system's resources, the Sleeping Tabs feature can help your PC get better battery life.

Microsoft Edge Canary now quantifies how much Sleeping Tabs save PC resources. A new feature spotted by Leo Varela on Reddit adds an indicator that shows the estimated system savings that come from putting a tab to sleep. Varela was only able to use the feature on Microsoft Edge Canary at this time.

Microsoft Edge's Sleeping Tabs feature freezes tabs when they're not in use. As a result, these tabs use less processing power and RAM than active tabs. By using less of your system's resources, the Edge browser drains less of your PC's battery.

The new feature attaches a figure to Sleeping Tabs, which makes it a bit more clear how much they can help free up your PC's resources.

Source: Leo Varela via Reddit (Image credit: Source: Leo Varela via Reddit)

The Sleeping Tabs feature is one of the ways to get the most out of Microsoft Edge. You can customize how long it takes a tab to go to sleep. You can make tabs go to sleep as quickly as after five minutes of inactivity or select up to twelve hours of inactivity.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.