Great Suspender Removed From Chrome Store: Replacement Options

If you have been looking for the Great Suspender extension in the Chrome Web Store and cannot find it, you are not alone. The Great Suspender was a popular extension that helped users manage memory by automatically suspending inactive tabs, but it was removed from the Chrome Web Store in early 2021. Many users have been searching for a great suspender removed from chrome store replacement ever since.

What Happened to the Great Suspender

The Great Suspender was originally created to help people who keep too many tabs open in Chrome. When you have dozens of tabs running at once, Chrome uses a significant amount of memory and can slow down your computer. The Great Suspender would automatically pause tabs that you had not looked at for a while, freeing up memory while keeping the tab available to reopen when needed.

The extension was removed from the Chrome Web Store for several reasons. Google updated their policies regarding extensions that manipulate browser functionality in certain ways. Additionally, there were concerns about the original developer transferring ownership of the extension, which raised security questions. These changes left millions of users without their favorite tab management tool.

When the extension was removed, users who already had it installed could continue using it for a while. However, Chrome eventually stopped supporting older versions, and the extension stopped working properly. This is why so many people have been looking for a great suspender removed from chrome store replacement.

Why You Need a Tab Suspender

Having too many open tabs is more than just inconvenient. Each tab runs its own set of processes in Chrome, using your computer’s memory and processing power. When you have 20 or 30 tabs open, you might notice your computer running slower, your browser taking longer to respond, or your fan running constantly to cool the processor.

Tab suspenders solve this problem by pausing tabs that you are not currently using. The website content is essentially frozen in place, using almost no memory, until you click on the tab to bring it back to life. This is different from closing the tab completely because you do not lose your place on the page or need to reload the content.

This approach is especially useful if you tend to keep research articles, email threads, or reference materials open for days at a time. You can have all those tabs available without the performance penalty.

Finding a Replacement

There are several alternatives to the Great Suspender available, each with different features and approaches. The most important thing is to find one that works for your specific needs and does not compromise your privacy or security.

When looking for a replacement, consider what features matter most to you. Some extensions offer simple automatic suspending after a set period of inactivity. Others provide more control, letting you choose which tabs to suspend manually or set different rules for different types of websites.

Tab Suspender Pro is one option that many former Great Suspender users have turned to. It offers similar functionality, automatically suspending tabs after a period of inactivity while keeping them easily accessible. The extension is designed to work well with modern Chrome and follows current web store policies.

Other alternatives include built-in Chrome features. Chrome has its own tab management system called Memory Saver, which you can enable in your settings. This built-in feature automatically suspends inactive tabs to free up memory, though it offers less customization than dedicated extensions.

How to Set Up Tab Suspension

If you decide to try Tab Suspender Pro or another extension, the setup process is usually straightforward. First, visit the Chrome Web Store page for your chosen extension and click Add to Chrome. You may need to confirm the permissions the extension requires.

Most tab suspenders will ask for permission to manage tabs in your browser. This is necessary for them to work properly, as they need to be able to pause and resume tab content. Review the permissions to make sure they seem reasonable for what the extension does.

After installing, you can usually configure how long to wait before suspending tabs. The default is often around 30 minutes of inactivity, but you can adjust this to your preference. Some users prefer shorter times if memory is a major concern, while others prefer longer times to avoid interruptions while reading or working.

You can also usually whitelist certain websites that should never be suspended. This is useful for email clients, music players, or any site that needs to stay active in the background.

Using Chrome’s Built-in Memory Saver

If you prefer not to install another extension, Chrome’s built-in Memory Saver feature is worth exploring. It provides similar functionality to what the Great Suspender offered, with the advantage of being built directly into the browser.

To enable Memory Saver, open Chrome settings and look for the Performance section. You will find options to enable Memory Saver and configure how it works. When enabled, Chrome will automatically pause tabs that you have not used recently, freeing up memory for the tabs you are currently working with.

The main difference between Memory Saver and extension-based solutions is customization. Memory Saver gives you fewer options to control exactly when and how tabs are suspended. However, it requires no extra installation and works reliably without any additional setup.

Tips for Managing Many Tabs

Beyond using a tab suspender, there are other strategies for keeping your browser running smoothly. One helpful approach is to use Chrome’s tab groups feature to organize your open tabs visually. This makes it easier to find what you need and encourages you to close tabs you no longer require.

Another strategy is to regularly review your open tabs and close ones you are truly finished with. It can be helpful to set aside a few minutes at the end of each day to clean up tabs you no longer need. This prevents tab clutter from building up over time.

Bookmarks are another useful tool. Instead of keeping a tab open indefinitely, bookmark the page and close the tab. You can always find it again later through your bookmarks. This keeps your browser lean while still preserving access to important pages.

Tips from the team behind Tab Suspender Pro and the Zovo extension suite at zovo.one