Some Google Chrome applications do not close fully
Even when you have exited your last Chrome session or minimized the browser, some Google Chrome applications, add-ons and extensions keep running in the background. This is done for providing you with some conveniences like give you some pop up notifications from social media sites or let people chat with you on Google Hangouts. No doubt this will fulfill some of your important needs. However, draining of the laptop battery and using up the RAM when you will need more free space for some other apps can be the downside to this.
Why Chrome does not exit completely
Chrome is different from other kinds of web browsers. Chrome is featured to create a unique and separate process for each of the tabs, plugins and extensions that the users are using during a given session. Often you would have noticed that Chrome creates a bunch of processes while running on a system. You will be able to view this on the Windows Task Manager.
This kind of design is introduced to avert complete browser failures in case some errors happen. Therefore the fact that Google unties every single tab and extension in to a separate process keeps it active even while it is closed.
Further to this, this also depends to a great extent on the type of applications and extensions that you have installed on Chrome. Some of these applications usually ask the browser to stay active so that they will be able to function continuously carrying on some functions like keeping an IRC chat in active mode or deliver notifications about new email messages.
Why should you disable Chrome from running in the background?
Disabling Chrome from running in the background has some important benefits for you. In the first place, you can free up your RAM and ensure that some of the other applications you use importantly are not slowed down. This will also ensure your battery does not drain down quickly. This will also stop Google from tracking all your activities and will give you more freedom and privacy.
Steps to disabling the Chrome running in the background
- Open Google Chrome Browser
- Click on the top right corner. Alternatively, you can also press Alt + E
- This will open the Chrome Settings on the next page.
- Click on the menu category ‘Advanced’.
- On the ‘Advanced’ option, scroll down to the ‘System’ section. Here you need to turn off the feature, “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed”.
- Restart Google after this and it is done now. You have not only made Google Chrome stop running in the background, you have also prevented it from tracking you. In case you want to revert the settings, follow the step once again and click on “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed”.