Should I Switch to Edge for Speed? A Practical Guide for Slow Computers

If you have been wondering “should i switch to edge for speed,” you are not alone. Many people with older or budget computers are looking for ways to make their browsing experience faster without buying new hardware. Microsoft Edge has been improving rapidly, and the question of whether it is worth switching from Chrome is more relevant than ever.

Why People Consider Switching Browsers for Speed

Chrome has long been the most popular browser, but it has a well-known reputation for using a lot of RAM. If you have a computer with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, opening several tabs in Chrome can quickly slow down your entire system. This is especially frustrating if you need to keep multiple tabs open for work or research.

Microsoft Edge, built on the same Chromium engine as Chrome, offers many similar features but includes Microsoft is own improvements for performance. The question is whether these improvements make a real difference for users with slow computers.

How Edge Compares to Chrome on Slow Computers

Memory Usage

One of the biggest differences between Edge and Chrome is how they handle memory. Edge includes a feature called “Efficiency Mode” that automatically reduces memory usage when you have many tabs open. When you enable this, Edge will suspend tabs you have not used recently, similar to Chrome is Memory Saver feature.

In side-by-side tests, Edge with Efficiency Mode enabled typically uses less memory than Chrome with Memory Saver. The difference is not enormous, but on a computer with limited RAM, even a small reduction can mean the difference between a responsive system and one that freezes.

Startup Time

Edge tends to start slightly faster than Chrome on most computers. This is partly because Microsoft has optimized Edge to load quicker on Windows systems. If you find yourself opening your browser many times throughout the day, those few seconds saved each time can add up.

Page Loading Speed

Both browsers use the same underlying technology for rendering web pages, so page loading speeds are generally similar. However, Edge includes some optimizations for Microsoft services and websites that use Microsoft technologies, which can make those sites load slightly faster.

Step-by-Step: How to Switch from Chrome to Edge

If you have decided to try Edge, here is how to make the switch smoothly.

Step 1: Export Your Bookmarks from Chrome

Before switching, you will want to keep your bookmarks. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+O (or Cmd+Shift+O on Mac) to open the bookmarks manager. Look for an option to export your bookmarks to an HTML file. Save this file to your desktop or documents folder.

Step 2: Download and Install Microsoft Edge

If you do not already have Edge, download it from microsoft.com/edge. The installation is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. You do not need to remove Chrome—you can use both browsers or switch completely.

Step 3: Import Your Bookmarks

Once Edge is installed, open it and look for the settings menu (three dots in the top right corner). Go to Settings, then look for “Profiles” or “Bookmarks.” There should be an option to import bookmarks from other browsers. Select the HTML file you saved in Step 1, and all your bookmarks will appear in Edge.

Step 4: Enable Efficiency Mode

To get the best performance from Edge, turn on Efficiency Mode. Go to Settings, then look for “System and performance” or “Performance.” Toggle on “Efficiency Mode.” You can choose whether you want it to always be on, or only when your computer is running on battery.

Step 5: Review Your Extensions

One common mistake is installing too many extensions in your new browser. Take a moment to think about which extensions you actually need. Each extension uses memory, so fewer is better. If you used many extensions in Chrome, consider which ones you truly need in Edge.

Other Ways to Speed Up Your Browser

Switching browsers can help, but there are other things you can do to improve performance regardless of which browser you use.

Keep Your Tabs Under Control

The single most effective thing you can do for browser speed is to keep fewer tabs open. Every open tab uses memory, even if you are not looking at it. If you tend to accumulate tabs, try closing ones you are not currently using.

A helpful tool for this is Tab Suspender Pro. This extension automatically suspends tabs you have not used in a while, freeing up memory without you having to manually close them. When you return to a suspended tab, it reloads automatically. This is especially useful if you like to keep reference material open but do not need it active at all times. Tab Suspender Pro works with most browsers, including Edge, and can significantly reduce memory usage.

Clean Up Your Extensions Regularly

Go through your installed extensions every few months and remove any you no longer use. Each extension runs in the background and consumes resources, even when you are not actively using its features.

Clear Your Cache Periodically

Cached files can build up over time and take up unnecessary space. Go to your browser settings and clear your cache once a week or once a month. This helps keep your browser running smoothly.

Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

If your computer feels slow when you first turn it on, you might have too many programs starting automatically. On Windows, you can manage this by opening Task Manager and going to the Startup tab. Disable programs you do not need to run at startup.

What If You Want to Stay with Chrome?

If you prefer Chrome, you can still improve its performance without switching. Make sure Memory Saver is enabled in Chrome settings. Go to Settings, then Performance, and turn on Memory Saver. This will automatically suspend tabs you are not using.

You can also try the same tips mentioned above: keep fewer tabs open, clean up extensions, and clear your cache regularly. Chrome with these optimizations can work reasonably well on computers with limited RAM.

Making the Right Choice for Your Computer

The answer to “should i switch to edge for speed” depends on your specific situation. If you have a computer with very limited RAM (4GB or less) and find that Chrome constantly slows down your system, switching to Edge with Efficiency Mode enabled is worth trying. The performance improvements are real, though they may not be dramatic.

If you have 8GB or more of RAM, the difference between Chrome and Edge may be less noticeable. In that case, your habits matter more than your browser choice. Keeping tabs under control, limiting extensions, and using tools like Tab Suspender Pro will have a bigger impact than switching browsers.

Try both browsers for a week and see which one feels faster on your specific computer. Pay attention to how many tabs you can have open before your computer starts to slow down. The best browser is the one that lets you do what you need without frustration.

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