The Remedy to the Firefox Memory Hog Problem

Firefox is known to be the fastest web browser on the planet. But like all things, even the best has its disadvantages.

Firefox is notoriously known to eat up a lot of system resources. It uses up RAM that prevents other open applications from running efficiently. This usually when you have multiple tabs open. And in the hopes of multitasking, you just slow everything down.

Of course, the degree will be different from computer to computer. Their specs vary which determine how much data can be dumped by Firefox into the System Memory. The larger your RAM, the longer it takes before you start feeling the problem. And again, you will eventually feel the problem.

Browsers use a 'cache.' A cache stores data that was downloaded which are needed to view a web page. It is also a storage for recently accessed pages and the files associated with it.

For some reason, when the cache of firefox has a lot of data in it, the memory usage also shoots up. People even report of reaching 1Gb!

The browser cache is stored in the hard drive. The drive letter is specified in the user settings in Firefox. The memory hog habit of Firefox could be a bug or an inefficiency in programming.

Here is a simple remedy for this problem:

1. Go to a blank tab in Firefox.
2. Type in the address bar about:config.
3. Right-Click in the window then select new then Boolean.
4. In the pop-up box type in config.trim_on_minimize then ok.
5. Select true then ok.

What this setting does is that when you minimize Firefox, the memory it uses up - some of it, are stored in the page file or virtual memory.

It is not really a cure but it helps if you open up some other applications along with Firefox. The problem with this is when you have a small drive or your free space is small and your drive is fragmented. It can cause a lot more slow-downs because the access times of hard drives are very long. It could even be far longer if your drive is almost full or fragmented.

The following will also help improve your computer's performance with Firefox (and also other applications):

Clean up your hard drive to free up space

Defragment your hard drive

Occasionally clear out your Firefox cache

Try not to over-use the tabs

Upgrade your computer

Note that you should also install an anti-malware program because viruses and Trojans can exploit Firefox. When they do, they can manipulate your computer and turn it into a internet zombie. Sending spam mails and whatever the virus maker wants. So be observant and try to notice when something is wrong.

If you still encounter problems with firefox, try using another browser. Internet Explorer may have less functionalities than Firefox. And it can be irritating to use sometimes but it does not hog system resources. You may also want to consider Opera and Chrome.