Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Wannan tattunawa ta zama daɗaɗɗiya. Yi sabuwar tambaya idan ka na bukatar taimako.

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

  • 4 amsoshi
  • 1 yana da wannan matsala
  • 1084 views
  • Amsa ta ƙarshe daga Sue

more options

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.

Mafitar da aka zaɓa

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

Karanta wannan amsa a matsayinta 👍 0

All Replies (4)

more options

Zaɓi Mafita

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

more options

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.

more options

I appreciate the explanation, thanks.