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firefox uses too much memory and processor power after i have closed it

  • 3 replies
  • 113 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by John99

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I have always clicked on the Red 'X' in the upper right corner of firefox to close it. Lately when I do, my CPU/RAM Usage skyrockets and ff never really closes, slowing down my entire computer. It's really annoying, and the only way I know of to stop it is to End Process on ff with the windows task manager. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?

I have always clicked on the Red 'X' in the upper right corner of firefox to close it. Lately when I do, my CPU/RAM Usage skyrockets and ff never really closes, slowing down my entire computer. It's really annoying, and the only way I know of to stop it is to End Process on ff with the windows task manager. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?

Chosen solution

If you consider the problem solved you could mark it as such please.

However note Norton Internet Security, by default, is likely to run 'pulse updates' not really a topic to discuss here other than to say that such activity may well continue, depending on your settings with Norton, regardless of whether or not, you have the Norton toolbar installed.

I currently have a paid for version of Norton installed.

My understanding being that the Norton bar relates to, password etc management, safe searching, and general connection with the Norton site.

  • The Norton Toolbar is not compatible with the current firefox 4 beta
  • I would not know if it has any other detrimental effects on firefox
  • In itself removing the toolbar will not stop Norton software impacting on use of firefox (but it is of course there to provide security, I do not suggest you remove it, only that you take into account its cost CPU wise)
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There are some valid reasons why firefox would connect, and if it is set up as your default browser it may be used in addition to when you explicitly open and use it. See

However also see

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Thanks for the help John99. The issue seems to have been with one of my installed extensions, Norton Toolbar 5.5 which they installed automatically when I updated a few weeks ago. As soon as I disabled it, FF closes smoothly. Since I don't need or care about another toolbar, I can live without it.

Thanks again!

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Chosen Solution

If you consider the problem solved you could mark it as such please.

However note Norton Internet Security, by default, is likely to run 'pulse updates' not really a topic to discuss here other than to say that such activity may well continue, depending on your settings with Norton, regardless of whether or not, you have the Norton toolbar installed.

I currently have a paid for version of Norton installed.

My understanding being that the Norton bar relates to, password etc management, safe searching, and general connection with the Norton site.

  • The Norton Toolbar is not compatible with the current firefox 4 beta
  • I would not know if it has any other detrimental effects on firefox
  • In itself removing the toolbar will not stop Norton software impacting on use of firefox (but it is of course there to provide security, I do not suggest you remove it, only that you take into account its cost CPU wise)