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Why does task manager show 6 "instances" of Firefox?

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  • Èsì tí ó kẹ́hìn lọ́wọ́ Sue

Sue
Sue
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I started using Firefox on a Windows 10 laptop. I checked Task Manager as the computer is slow. It shows 6 instances of Firefox, all 6 using memory, with one of them showing CPU usage.

Is this "normal"? Is this how Firefox works? Thanks.

I started using Firefox on a Windows 10 laptop. I checked Task Manager as the computer is slow. It shows 6 instances of Firefox, all 6 using memory, with one of them showing CPU usage. Is this "normal"? Is this how Firefox works? Thanks.

Ọ̀nà àbáyọ tí a yàn

Yes, this is how it works. It's not "instances", but "processes".

Ka ìdáhùn ni ìṣètò kíkà 👍 0

All Replies (4)

TyDraniu
TyDraniu
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Ọ̀nà àbáyọ Tí a Yàn

Yes, this is how it works. It's not "instances", but "processes".

Sue
Sue Ìbéèrè olóhun
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Thanks.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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It is quite normal to see more Firefox processes running.

  • one process for the main Firefox thread (user interface)
  • one or more content processes, see:
    Options/Preferences -> General -> Performance
    remove checkmark: [ ] "Use recommended performance settings"
  • a process for the compositor thread
  • a process for the WebRender when this feature is enabled
  • a process for extensions

You can find the current multi-process state on the Troubleshooting Information page (about:support).

  • "Help -> Troubleshooting Information"
    "Application Basics": Multiprocess Windows
    "Remote Processes" further down

See also the about:memory page for information about the process IDs.

Sue
Sue Ìbéèrè olóhun
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I appreciate the explanation, thanks.