Basics of Closing Tabs on Your Computer

There are a few practices that are quite common among computer and internet users today, and one of the most well-known here is the use of multiple tabs within an internet browser. Whether to keep track of multiple tasks, come back to work later or for any other purpose, using multiple tabs during a standard day is normal - but there are also benefits to closing tabs and avoiding issues where too many open tabs stack up.

At PC Laptops, we're happy to assist with every element that clients around Salt Lake City, Murray, Sandy, West Jordan and nearby areas expect from a computer shop, from laptop and desktop products to computer repairs, data backups, warranty programs and more. Our staff also regularly assists our clients with various basic use and maintenance approaches for their devices, including simple concepts like tab usage. Here are some basics on how tabs can impact your computer when open in large numbers, some of the benefits of periodically closing out unused tabs, and some tools to consider for this need.

How Many Open Tabs Can Impact Computers

Firstly, it's important to understand that every open tab takes up space on your computer's memory. This means that the more tabs you have open at any one time, the slower and potentially glitchier your overall system performance will be. If you're a heavy user who regularly has multiple tabs open simultaneously, this can even lead to overheating or other damage in some cases.

Additionally, each of these tabs uses its own processing power. If you have a large number of tabs open, it can lead to your computer running significantly slower - and in some cases, crashing. Even if the crash does not occur, the use of so much processing power will still slow down other important applications.

Not All Tabs Are Created Equal

Now, one vital concept to keep in mind when discussing tabs in internet browsers is that not all of them are created equal. Some of these will require significantly more processing power than others, meaning that the number of tabs you can safely have open will depend largely on the types and levels of activity related to each tab.

For instance, if one tab includes a video streaming process or gaming element, it may utilize far more memory and processing power than 10 other inactive tabs. Be mindful of not only the number of tabs you have open, but also the types and levels of activity within them.

Benefits to Closing Tabs

There are a couple key benefits to regularly closing out unused internet browser tabs, even if you may need to return to some work later in the day. Here are several:

• Improved performance: As we alluded to above, with fewer tabs open you'll see significant performance improvements in various areas. These can range from general system speed to faster load times for specific applications, among other benefits.

• No lost tabs: And if you're worried about losing tabs you may need later, don't be - there are various tools and programs that allow you to save open browser sessions or easily access recently closed tabs. You won't lose anything by closing out unused tabs.

• Easier to manage: From a visual and organizational standpoint, having fewer tabs open at any one time can make it far easier to keep track of what you're working on and switch between tasks efficiently.

Tools for Managing Tabs

Finally, if you're someone who frequently has many tabs open at once but also wants to avoid the negative performance impacts we've discussed here, there are several tools you should consider. These include:

• Browser extensions: There are various extensions available for popular browsers that can help you manage tabs. Some allow you to group or categorize tabs, while others will automatically suspend inactive tabs to save processing power.

• Tab management programs: If you're really serious about managing your tabs, there are also programs specifically designed for this purpose. These may offer additional features like bookmarking or tab syncing across devices.

• Task manager: Remember, you can always use your computer's task manager to view which tabs are using the most resources and close them out as needed.

As we've seen here, while multiple browser tabs may seem convenient in the moment, there are also benefits to managing them effectively and keeping their numbers reasonable.

For more on this or any of our computer repair or related services for clients around SLC, Murray, Sandy, West Jordan or nearby areas, speak to the staff at PC Laptops today. Our technicians are on-hand to help with any issue, large or small.