Google Chrome is a popular web browser known for its speed and efficiency. One useful feature it offers is the ability to restore previous tabs when you launch the browser. However, by default, Chrome loads all the tabs, which can slow down your computer and consume a significant amount of memory. In this article, we will guide you on how to make Chrome load previous tabs on startup but keep them inactive or discarded, allowing you to have a faster and smoother browsing experience.
Step 1: Open Chrome Settings
The first step is to open the Chrome settings menu. To do this, click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the Chrome window, and then select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Customize Startup Settings
In the Chrome settings menu, scroll down to the "On startup" section. Here, you will find several options for customizing how Chrome behaves when you launch it.

Step 3: Enable "Continue where you left off"
To make Chrome load previous tabs on startup, but keep them inactive or discarded, you need to enable the "Continue where you left off" option. Click on the toggle switch next to this option to enable it.

Step 4: Disable "Use hardware acceleration when available"
By default, Chrome uses hardware acceleration to enhance its performance. However, this feature can sometimes cause issues, especially when you have many tabs open. To prevent Chrome from using hardware acceleration, follow these steps:
- Scroll to the bottom of the Chrome settings page and click on "Advanced" to expand the advanced settings.
- Scroll down further until you find the "System" section.
- Disable the "Use hardware acceleration when available" option by clicking on the toggle switch next to it.

Step 5: Relaunch Chrome
After making these changes, you need to relaunch Chrome for the settings to take effect. To do this, simply close all Chrome windows and then open it again. Chrome will now load your previous tabs on startup, but keep them inactive or discarded.

By loading the previous tabs as inactive or discarded, Chrome will save memory and reduce the strain on your computer's resources. You can still access these tabs by clicking on them, but they won't load automatically, allowing you to have a faster browsing experience.
Customizing Chrome's startup settings can greatly enhance your browsing experience, especially if you frequently work with multiple tabs. By making Chrome load previous tabs on startup but keep them inactive or discarded, you can enjoy a smoother and faster browsing experience without sacrificing the convenience of having your tabs readily available.
References
| Reference | Link |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome Help Center | https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95451?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en |
| Chrome Story | https://www.chromestory.com/2019/09/disable-chrome-hardware-acceleration/ |