Google Chrome Issue

[#1]

Since one of the recent versions of Chrome was updated (not sure which but now on 62.0.3202.62 Official Build) (64-bit) I have noticed multiple instances (22) appearing in Windows Task Manager (W7 Pro 64) as in the screenshot below. These all start to appear as soon as Chrome is started and, currently, take up around 1GB of RAM.

I had wondered if it had anything to do with the number of tabs open ( 18 ) but don't think so.

My main browser is FF but would like to know why Chrome behaves this way and is there setting I may have missed to remove all the extra instances in Task Manager?

[#2]

Why does Chrome have so many open processes?

[#3]

What is the full path for all those instances of Chrome?
They appear to be running from a temp folder which normally isn't good!

[#4]

Just out of interest I wanted to have a look at Google Earth.

I tried to open in Firefox and received a browser incompatibility message.

I tried Edge and IE11 both giving the same message.

It advises that the only compatible browser is Chrome

I was about to install it until I read this topic.

[#5]

Rather naughty that...

I'm using Pale moon x64

[#6]

The next thing will be Google maps will only run on Chrome

[#7]

I currently have 2 tabs open and Task Manager shows 9 instances of Chrome running, using about 500k of memory.  How about if T is the number of open tabs then:

Instances = 2*T + 5

That works in my case but would give 23 instances for 18 tabs open.  Opening another tab caused a further two instances of Chrome in Task Manager so the postulated formula is holding.

[#8]

I always have a lot of Chrome windows and Task Manager processes running so I just checked mine;

74 Chrome windows open

87  Task Manager instances

Tab count probably well into the 100s

Memory/RAM usage several GB

Also 10 IE11 windows open / 30 TM processes (including main one), numerous tabs.

[#9]

@TheRoadCrew I found that page just after posting but also found this page which seemed worrying.

After posting I ran CCleaner, Malwarebytes (found several PUPs which I removed) and SpyBot then rebooted.

@ReedRichards wrote:

I currently have 2 tabs open and Task Manager shows 9 instances of Chrome running, using about 500k of memory.  How about if T is the number of open tabs then:

Instances = 2*T + 5

I still had 18 Tabs with 23 instances running in Task manager using around 1.5 GB RAM!

I have now knocked it down to 7 tabs with 11 instances (not 12) but still around 600MB RAM used!

On a related note it seems, perhaps, that FF (56.0.01) is doing much the same as I have 4 windows open (13, 12, 14 & 4 tabs open respectively) with 4 instances shown in Task Manager. Again, I am quite certain that, until a few weeks ago, no matter how many windows/tabs were open, only one instance was showing in Task manager.

I mainly use Chrome for those sites that need Flash as I removed that from FF ages ago due to issues. It was easier to keep the tabs open than having to reopen them but I think that now I will use bookmarks and close them when not required.

[#10]

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..., I am quite certain that, until a few weeks ago, no matter how many windows/tabs were open, only one instance was showing in Task manager.

I mainly use Chrome for those sites that need Flash as I removed that from FF ages ago due to issues. It was easier to keep the tabs open than having to reopen them but I think that now I will use bookmarks and close them when not required.

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@Mav I first started using Chrome almost 18 months ago mainly due to it being more 'efficient' than IE when lots of windows were open, and I'm positive that since that time it always shows a large number of Chrome processes open in Task Manager.

[#11]

@RobPN

That comment was pointed towards FF as I used to regularly check it in TM. I didn't used to check Chrome.

[#12]

Apologies for my misunderstanding. 

[#13]

No problem

[#14]

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Mav wrote: On a related note it seems, perhaps, that FF (56.0.01) is doing much the same as I have 4 windows open (13, 12, 14 & 4 tabs open respectively) with 4 instances shown in Task Manager.

If you go into about:support does the number of Multiprocess Windows enabled match what Task manager reports?

[#15]

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@Strat wrote:

Just out of interest I wanted to have a look at Google Earth.

I tried to open in Firefox and received a browser incompatibility message.

I tried Edge and IE11 both giving the same message.

It advises that the only compatible browser is Chrome :shocked

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https://www.engadget.com/amp/2017/10/30/google-earth-firefox/