Is it easy to use more than one browser and would they take up too much RAM?

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I have been using one browser for my internet usage since there were security issues with Internet Explorer a few years ago. I had read Susan’s Post a few weeks ago in the Ask Woody Plus Newsletter where she suggests having more than one browser. In case you had issues with logging into a particular site to see if it is an error on the website or the browser that you’re using. Since I have only one browser that I use primarily which is Google Chrome. I believe Microsoft Edge is lurking in the background. I just don’t use it very much, just occasionally I get a link in an email where I use it and then close it out. I guess that I just don’t trust Microsoft’s product’s too much. However I am sure they have shored up there defenses since then. I guess I would like to know if my computer would support using two browsers and if doing so, would it use up too much RAM. Secondly, How can I check to see how much RAM that I currently have and/or if I can upgrade it. I have a custom built computer and don’t know too much of my computer’s details unfortunately.

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You can check your RAM and current RAM usage by right-clicking on the taskbar, clicking on Task Manager, clicking on the Performance tab, and it will say under Memory on the left hand side (which you can then click for more details).

Unless you’re running high-performance applications or have need of 100 concurrent browser tabs, 8GB total RAM should be enough to let you run pretty much anything, although I know some people recommend 16GB. Honestly, you can even scrape by with 4GB total RAM if you don’t have a lot of tabs, but if you do have 4GB then I do recommend upgrading (which is easy to do with desktops), as it’s not very future-proof and doesn’t give you much flexibility. Modern browsers don’t use much RAM at all with just a few tabs open, though, so unless you have less than 4GB total RAM, you’ll easily be able to run a second browser to check a site or two.

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Rush2112

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Thanks Sky, that was very helpful information. I have 8 GB RAM, so I should be fine. Only 3.9 GB of RAM are currently being used at the moment.

Next question: How do I set up Edge web browser on my machine to not be the default browser? And secondly, how do I go about accessing it?

 

Sorry I didn’t sign in when I created this question.

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You can set your default browser under Settings -> Apps -> Default apps -> Web browser. Windows will still open the occasional thing in Edge, though, regardless of your browser choice, because Microsoft is just that way, but most programs will respect your choice.

Access Edge by clicking on ‘Microsoft Edge’ on your start menu programs list. Why they list it under ‘Microsoft Edge’ and not just ‘Edge’ beats me.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Rush2112

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Thank you again Sky. You have been very helpful. You have helped me to where I don’t believe that I need any further assistance.

Thank you once again.

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Having more than one browser installed won’t use more RAM.
Running 2 at once will.

I currently have Brave with 18 tabs and Edge with 1 tab and Firefox with 1 tab, all running.
Brave is using less than 1GB, Edge less than 500kB, FF about 250k.
No issue for occasional use, or even prolonged use.

cheers, Paul

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Thanks Paul.

I am running two browsers currently. Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. Out of 8GB of RAM I am using 4.3 GB of RAM currently and have had no issues at the time being.

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When using two browsers, it can be handy to remember to check task manager if the computer is overheating or seeming to run slow.  Task manager ctrl-shift-esc will tell you which browser is using the high CPU.  Then each browser may have its own task manager that will tell you the bad tab.

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Thanks, I will make note of that. Though since I posted my original question, I rarely use more than one at a time. I primarily use Chrome.

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