Google Chrome – Understanding Multiple chrome.exe Processes in Task Manager

google-chromeprocess

I know that each new tab on Google Chrome have its own process, but I have 14 chrome.exe processes running actually as I can see it on the Task Manager, and only two tabs are opened on Google Chrome.

Could it be due to Chrome extensions? What other reason can open more chrome.exe process and how to avoid it?

Best Answer

  • You're always going to have at least n + 1 chrome.exe processes, where n is the number of unique domains you have open across all visible tabs. The +1 is for the "Browser" process coordinating everything else. (e.g. I have 5 tabs open, 4 for SuperUser, 1 for another site. I have 2 Tab processes open)
  • You'll also have processes for any extensions that might have a background window open. (e.g. Adblock Plus, Ghostery, Stylish, NinjaKit all require an extra process)

Hit Shift+Esc or go to Chrome's Task Manager (under the Tools menu/sub-menu depending on which version of Chrome you're running) to see a list of all the processes and what they're being used for.