We’ve probably all heard several names like Bloatware. However, there is one more component that a system can’t start without, so that is the firmware, which you’ve probably all heard of. But do you know what part it performs in a computer’s startup?

We used to believe that the operating system and CPU were responsible for the computer’s operation. However, this is only half true.

Minus firmware, the machine is useless. Its function is little, yet it is critical for all mechanical devices. You might be shocked to learn that firmware is utilized in more places than only computers. Phones, smart TVs, home appliances, smartwatches, and other electronic and hardware products are examples.

What is the firmware, according to this article? And how to update the firmware? Make sure to read the article to the end to find out!

What is Firmware?

Firmware is a type of software that allows hardware to function as intended by the developer. It comprises software developers’ programs to make hardware devices function.

It contains instructions for interacting with other hardware devices in the system and performing routine input-output functions.

Consider a washing machine, which includes certain buttons for controlling the equipment and functioning as per our requirements. But have you ever considered how the machine determines how fast or in which mode to work as soon as we push a button?

The machine understands since there is information inside the firmware that is installed, and the machine understands our inputs because of the same software. Similarly, you’ve probably seen your computer’s bios, which is a firmware that’s loaded in the ROM of the computer’s hardware.

Before the operating system is loaded into the device, the firmware examines all of the hardware components to verify whether they are in the right place, working properly, or having any issues.

After that, the operating system is loaded into RAM, and the device is ready to use. Then, you can do things such as check your RAM on Windows 10 quickly!

Firmware Requires Updating

When the firmware is integrated into a device, it may not need to be updated. You know it can’t be true because your devices prompt you to approve firmware upgrades regularly.

For your device to work once it is released to the market, its developers may need to give it extra information. The update may be necessary to keep your device interoperable with other devices or applications.

Occasionally, an update is required to safeguard your device from hackers. In either case, updating the firmware on your electronic device provides it with the most up-to-date information from its maker.

How To Know if Your Firmware Needs an Update?

You could miss critical firmware update because you’re too busy to notice. Luckily, many devices send you a notification requesting you to update the firmware.

Some devices may require further investigation. Firmware updates are often posted on manufacturer websites. You can ensure that your device has the most recent firmware by checking for these on a regular basis.

Because your new equipment has most likely been sitting on a store shelf for some time, it may need to be updated before it can be used. As a result, it’s a good idea to check with the manufacturer when you first buy a device to see whether any updates are available.

If they are, make sure you download and apply the update to ensure you get the most from your new electronic devices.

You may also keep an eye out for issues with your device to see whether you need to apply a firmware upgrade. If your smartphone, network, or other digital device isn’t operating correctly, it might be due to outdated firmware.

However, inefficient equipment might be difficult to diagnose, so don’t wait for an issue to check for firmware upgrades.

What Should You Know Before Updating Firmware?

Before updating the firmware software, remember that the device should not be switched off throughout the process. Your device is at risk of malfunctioning as a result of this.

Another thing to remember is that only manufacturers or software firms can send you updated software that you can trust. It is never a good idea to rely on third-party sources to update software since this might result in a malware assault on your computer.

It’s also crucial to prevent performing faulty computer upgrades on the system. Before updating a device’s firmware to another device, it may not function properly, and the update may corrupt your software, causing serious harm to the device’s functionality.

Check to check whether the model number of your hardware matches the firmware software before updating it. Then, and only then, you download that program.

How to Update Firmware?

It’s hard to offer general guidelines for installing software updates properly because every piece of digital equipment is different. As a result, following the update instructions is the easy solution to how to properly upgrade your device’s firmware.

On the screen of some devices, prompts appear urging you to upgrade the software. Online games, cellphones, and computers all have this functionality. To finish the procedure on these devices, you frequently need to click one or two on-screen buttons. After the firmware downloads, you may need to restart your device to complete the installation.

Some gadgets, on the other hand, are more complicated to update. Since routers and other types of equipment don’t always provide update prompts, you’ll have to go to the company’s website to get firmware upgrades. Remember that it is critical not to skip any of the update stages since doing so may cause the update to fail or harm your device.

In addition, certain devices have an administration section that must be accessed before the firmware upgrade can begin. If you have one of them, you should check for firmware upgrades on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that not all of your devices will update their firmware in the same way. While some make firmware updates simple, others hide the procedure.

As a result, if you want your electronic devices to function well, you must be aware of prospective firmware upgrades at all times.

Keep an eye on your screens, visit websites, and check administrator profiles for important changes. Take them seriously if you notice any. Don’t forget that you’re frequently the only one keeping an eye on your technological gadgets’ health and performance.

Similarly, you could discover that your smartphone performs unusually slow because of the dubious apps that are operating in the background.

Bloatware is preloaded software that comes with a PC, smartphone, or tablet. It takes up space, drains the battery, and slows down the computer’s performance.

Bloatware is rarely helpful and serves mainly as an income source for makers and distributors. It is annoying at best and destructive at worst.

In this article, we will learn everything there is to know about Bloatware, taking Windows 10 bloatware as an example. Let’s start!

What is Bloatware?

In very simple terms, Bloatware can be defined as inefficient software (running in the background) that slows your device down by taking up extra space, memory and chewing up battery life.

Bloatware, often known as crapware or Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), is any unwanted, hidden application that comes preloaded by the manufacturing company, distributor, or carrier on your laptop, PC, or smartphone.

Since it generally blends into the backdrop, it’s not always as easy to spot as you would want. That does not imply that Bloatware is a type of malware.

However, some bloatware acquired from malicious sources or unintentionally installed with third-party applications may include viruses.

There are two common ways that Bloatware may be placed on your seemingly safe PC or smartphone.

• One way is that it might arrive pre-installed on your PC, tablet, or phone from the manufacturer.
• The second way is that it might originate from apps you’ve downloaded from the internet.

Let’s discuss both ways in detail.

Pre-installed Software

Chances of getting Bloatware of this sort is the most common and likely the oldest way. Manufacturers are accustomed to selling gadgets with pre-installed software.

This is done in order to generate more money by recommending other products to you, such as security suites, file managers, music apps, or third-party software.

Bloatware that comes pre-installed on your PC or smartphone is usually safe and is simply placed for adverts, which is unpleasant. Still, you may not feel compelled to uninstall it right immediately.

However, it would help if you considered removing it as Bloatware like this has the potential to be vulnerable to external threats (like malware).

Downloaded Software

Software and Apps downloaded directly from the internet are regarded to be riskier than pre-installed software because some of it is designed to harm a system or a user. It doesn’t mean that all downloaded Bloatware is unsafe, but it certainly raises the security risk.

Bloatware coming from these sources may well attribute to only slowing down your PC or smartphone or continually displaying advertisements.

Alternatively, it might open the door to more dangerous cyberattacks, surveillance, and remote machine management practices.

Bloatware is frequently downloaded through rogue websites, questionable links, or advertisements. It may also be included with the apps that you have requested.

Bloatware is also notable for being difficult to remove and for reappearing even after it has been deleted.

Why is Bloatware a Threat

Bloatware, for starters, can cause your PC or smartphone to run slowly. They can chew up your RAM if you have a number of these apps loaded during device start-up or running in the background. RAM speed and timings are essential for the performance of your PC.

When Bloatware starts to slow down your PC or smartphone, this is where you should delete it.

Malware and Adware cause more serious problems for users. It may also spy on you in addition to presenting pop-up advertising when you’re using your computer (even if you’re not online).

Others may not be hostile, but they may unintentionally expose you to risk. One of the most well-known examples is Lenovo’s Superfish software, which exposed customers to hacker assaults and eavesdropping.

Types of Bloatware

We can break down different forms of Bloatware now that you have a better understanding of what it is, the nuisance it may create, and the threat it poses. They aren’t the only bloatware instances you’ll encounter, but they are the most common by far.

Trialware

Bloatware is a common occurrence on Windows 10 PCs.

Consider a recently purchased PC that already has applications installed. The installed program in this scenario requires a license to function, although it is available in a free trial mode.

It will stop operating once the trial period has over. Still, it will continue to use your device’s resources and may have vulnerabilities and exploits.

Trialware is usually not dangerous, although it might be inconvenient. The silver lining is that it is not buried in the background of the device, making bloatware removal very simple.

Toolbars

Toolbars are any stubborn browser menus that are difficult to remove. Pre-installed toolbars are seldom as good as their personalized versions.

They base their menu items on your surfing behavior and are sometimes clumsy and filled with irrelevant websites. And, like the infamous Ask toolbar, toolbars will frequently hijack your browser.

Utility Apps

Manufacturers preload a variety of utilities and third-party applications that enhance the performance of your device.

Some of these utilities, like backup, file management, and video editors, are useful, but you may not use them all. Remember that if you utilize it, it might not be Bloatware.

Third-party utilities are typically simple to uninstall, but you may not be able to do so with manufacturer applications. Check the ones you use frequently and those you wish to get rid of.

Adware

Adware is a type of pop-up advertising that bombards you with spam messages while you’re surfing the web.

Since Adware is placed directly on the web browser (Block Websites on Chrome), advertisements will follow you from one browser to the next, even if you erase your cookies.

Adware, which is seldom pre-installed by manufacturers until it stifles performance, is highly irritating and can expose you to security concerns.

We have discussed the legality of private game servers before. Just like many private servers, some abandonware websites have been online for years, leading to the question of whether abandonware is legal or not.

The main problem is: What is abandonware, and is it safe and legal to use? Let’s find out!

What Is Abandonware Exactly?

The name abandonware alludes to a software or program that no longer receives active support. Therefore, the developer or the company does not actively enforce the copyright.

The entity that holds the rights to the software has either gone out of business or has been sold to a new owner that is not interested in pursuing its development.

This is significant because it raises some important legal questions.

Let’s imagine you are pirating a game that was produced and distributed by a company that no longer exists. Is it possible for you to get into trouble? What if you could download a game that an established developer produced years ago but that you can no longer buy officially?

We will discuss its safety and legality now!

Is My Abandonware Safe?

There are already plenty of abandonware websites out there, each with a comparable selection of classic games to download. So, is it safe to download abandonware from so many sites?

The site from which you are downloading is the source of the solution. Major abandonware sites such as MyAbandonware and Abandonia, which serve a large number of users every other day, are safe.

These websites also carry practically every abandonware title, so you won’t have to scour the internet for a label on a shady website.

The game archives MyAbandonware gives are never modified; however, not all of them are tested for viruses. Old DOS apps, on the other hand, will not be able to infect your PC.

Windows games may include a NoCD software (also known as a crack file), which is known to contain malware or bugs. Always run a scan using an antivirus program. MyAbandonware will not be held liable for any system damage on your computer, as they ask you to use it at your own risk.

Is Abandonware Legal?

Now, let’s get into the most asked question about abandonware: Is it legal to download abandonware?

Abandonware is not legal, to cut a long story short. A copyrighted work does not immediately become public property if the creator abandons it. Instead, the copyright on the work remains in effect until it expires, which varies by country. For example, a video game’s copyright typically lasts between 70 to 125 years.

So, how do websites like Abandonia stay afloat? Isn’t there a steady stream of lawsuits arriving on their digital doorstep?
Punishment occurs only if you get caught, and the opposite side is prepared to make the charges stick, as is the case with most laws. This is why, while abandonware is illegal, it skirts a fine line between the fringes of legality.

Because the majority of content on abandonware sites no longer has an owner who can actively enforce copyright, no one can sue those that download abandonware illegally.

In some instances, the owner still remains, but the copyright is not enforced. For example, the iconic action-adventure game System Shock can be found on several of the abandonware sites, which is because the current copyright holder, Electronic Arts, seems to do nothing about it.

Is It Legal to Download Abandonware?

To answer this particular question, downloading abandonware is not legal. Are you, however, likely to be sued in civil court? Or will you end up in front of a judge for infringing on someone’s copyright? No, you won’t!

Even though abandonware is illegal, there have been no judicial prosecutions involving it. At least nothing that we could discover that included someone being prosecuted for downloading and playing an abandoned game.

Before starting a case, companies defending existing copyright typically send a cease-and-desist notice. When this happens, the abandonware site responds by removing the offending title. Thus, taking a publisher to trial is a waste of time.

Most abandonware websites that continue to provide every abandonware title possible do it by avoiding international law. Instead, they use hosting services in states where piracy, copyright enforcement, and other laws are less strict.

Of course, the situation is different if a developer releases apps for free. Several games have been distributed under the GNU General Public License, Creative Commons, and other publicly available licenses, albeit they are rare.

A game cannot be retrieved once it has been released in this manner. Still, the developer may retain copyright on new or updated versions of the game.

A desire for goodwill could be another explanation for the lack of legal precedent. Electronic Arts have the legal clout to target every free copy of System Shock on the web. What would be the point, though? Legal action could backfire and tarnish their already damaged reputation.

Conclusion

Abandonware is a tricky topic, just like the legality of game emulators, because everyone has an opinion on whether or not downloading it is moral. While it is illegal to steal abandoned software, a corporation is unlikely to pursue downloaders unless the game is being remastered or re-released.

You are unlikely to get in trouble for downloading an outdated game and playing it endlessly. Because of copyright law, the issues and grey areas of abandonware legality will not alter. It is up to you to decide if downloading Abandonware is the right decision.

Many phones have built-in chipsets that support a wide range of wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and FM radio.

Technology companies disabled the feature until a few years ago, typically at the request of wireless carriers who wanted users to stream music and podcasts and consume more bandwidth. A consumer-activated system like FM radio could provide a free alternative.

Let’s look at the technology that powers this functionality and see how FM radio works on a cell phone.

How Does FM Radio Work on a Cell Phone?

Your device must have an FM chip installed to play an FM signal. This chip can process incoming FM radio waves. Some Android phones currently available on the market have these chips, allowing them to receive FM radio.

Suppose your phone has an inbuilt chipset and the circuitry to link that chip to an FM antenna. In that case, you can quickly turn it into an FM radio.

All you will need is an application like TuneIn Radio or Next Radio to tune in to the signal and an antenna. Headphones or a non-wireless speaker system can also act as an antenna for the FM radio.

Is There an FM Radio Application on My Phone?

Checking the apps that came with your phone is the easiest way to see if it includes FM radio. As part of the process of getting the FM chip functional, the phone’s manufacturer may have built an application for the radio. This application is usually named FM Radio on your phone by the manufacturers.

You can load it and tune the app like a traditional radio if you have it.

Besides that, this radio application plays music without using any cellular data. As a result, the FM radio app is an excellent way to listen to music without spending money. Extremely convincing, isn’t it?!

What is the best way to listen to music without using data on a phone? Consider all the radios that have been installed in automobiles for years, long before cellular data was a thing, and you have your answer!

Some Phones Don’t Have an FM Radio

If you can’t get FM radio on your phone, it is probably because of one of these issues.

I. There is no FM chip in the phone.

You may recall that we stated before that many Android phones include an FM chip. It is due to the fact that not every tech giant includes it. Apple, for instance, has never had the option of FM radio on its phones.

II. The Phone isn’t set up to receive FM radio signals.

Even if a phone has an FM radio chip, it may still be unable to function. It might be because the phone companies failed to set up the necessary link or because the carriers refused to allow the feature to function on our phone.

Companies have been criticized for this due to the fact that radio signals for phones are a useful function. It’s thought that companies do this because it forces individuals to use cellular data, forcing them to pay for music, podcasts, and even internet radio.

Why Do I Need Headphones To Listen to FM Radio on My Phone?

It is possible that when you listen to FM radio on your phone, it will prompt you to plug in headphones. However, this isn’t a choice; if no headphones are detected, the phone will not play the radio.

Why can’t the phone simply play the FM radio through its speakers?

The lack of an antenna on the phone’s FM chip compels the use of wired headphones. As a result, it requires an additional antenna to pick up radio signals.

Your wired headphones, it turns out, can actually take up radio signals mainly because your phone must take up the signal through the cables in your headphones. It must be connected via a cable. Your Bluetooth or TWS earphones will not work with it.

What Devices Are Capable of Receiving FM Radio?

FM radios have been enabled in the chipsets of many tech giant manufacturers, including Samsung, LG, and Motorola.
Next Radio, an FM radio app, has provided a list of devices and carriers that are compatible with its software, which you can download from here.

The software is capable of detecting the FM chip once you have downloaded it to your phone.

Conclusion

Numerous new technologies have emerged in recent years. Radios with built-in antenna are now available, as well as radio channels that may be streamed over the Internet (internet radio is a very old technology, but only recently has the idea of internet radio achieved mass-market penetration).

Surprisingly, the technology required to create and transmit radio waves is relatively inexpensive. Radio transmission technology is an excellent example of cost-effectiveness. As such, while fewer and fewer phones utilize FM radio in modern times, that doesn’t mean that it’s going anywhere.

Live streaming has allowed the world to reach out to more people who are physically unable to be approached at the time of the pandemic. It is possible thanks to live streaming software, which is a necessary tool for live video streaming.

An essential feature of live-streaming software is to convert your video into an appropriate format for streaming. You can live broadcast with Multicam sources using this app.

Both OBS and XSplit are popular live-streaming apps. Let us look at the differences between OBS and XSplit since deciding which is better can be challenging.

XSplit vs. OBS: Comparison

We look behind the scenes in this XSplit Broadcaster vs. OBS comparison to see which is better for streaming.

XSplit Screen Recorder

XSplit is a video-mixing and live-streaming technology created to capture gameplay for video recording or live streaming. XSplit is made up of two products: XSplit Gamecaster and XSplit Broadcaster.

This Broadcaster functions as a video mixer. It allows the application to dynamically combine camera sources such as screen regions, video cameras, flash sources, and game capture when switching between different media configurations.

The XSplit Gamecaster, on the other hand, functions as a turnkey recording and live streaming software. Gamers mainly use it to begin screen recording or live streaming of their gameplay with minimal setup and configuration.

OBS

OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software, is a free, cross-platform, open-source application that can be used for both streaming and recording. C, C++, and Qt Cross-platform tools were used to develop and write this. The programming allows the software to provide the real-time source and system capture, encoding, broadcasting, and more.

This software also allows you to capture and produce live video. You can choose between live streaming and video recording. You can get various audio and visual sources to use in recording and live video production environments by optimizing the app.

VST Plug-in, NDI support, and stream deck controls are some of the Plug-ins that OBS supports.

This software has a screen recording feature and can be used with various social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. A green-screen effect and built-in color correction features are also included in the software.

Performance

Let’s take a look at the performance of the two platforms and see how they compare.

What Is the Performance of XSplit?

When comparing the output of OBS vs. XSplit, the XSplit Broadcaster offers a better way to stream videos more imaginatively. It is mainly thanks to its advanced features that enable you to stream and record videos quickly and easily.

To set up your broadcast output, follow these steps:

• Go to broadcast
• Select Set up a new output
• Pick the streaming service you want to use, such as Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook, for example.

What Is the Performance of OBS?

When comparing the CPU use of OBS and XSplit, it is worth noting that video encoding is a CPU-intensive process in and of itself. The OBS uses the x264 video encoding library to encode the files, using a lot of CPU power.

To get the most out of OBS, you can update your hardware. You can use a better webcam, microphone, and screen recorder with the OBS station to do your live streaming.

To begin the live session, you should create three scenes in OBS:

• A Stream starting soon scene
• A live scene
• An intermission scene

Customization

Here is how you can customize both software before you begin streaming.

Customizations in XSplit

Setting up the custom RTMP broadcast output in XSplit needs a few simple steps:

• Go to broadcast
• Select Set up a new output
• Click on the custom RTMP. On the phone, you can see the RTMP broadcast properties opening.
• Now type your streaming URL, streaming key, and ID into the boxes provided.
• To save your settings, click OK.
• To begin the custom RTMP, navigate the broadcast tab and select the Custom RTMP output you generated.
• For the last step, pick a name for your custom RTMP and choose a description for your live streaming video at this phase. Then specify the RTMP URL and Stream Key credentials to point them to your live-streaming location.

Customizations in OBS

You can easily customize the OBS stream interface on Twitch, YouTube, or any other streaming site by moving various panels.

The OBS windows can be resized, transferred, or hidden so you can concentrate on customizing your video while it is being streamed. You can render the chat streams larger or smaller and move them around.

In OBS, you can switch the windows around by clicking on the title and dragging them to the desired location.

To access your stream elements dashboard, open a web browser. To view free themes, go to the themes gallery from the left-side menus.

Pricing

The XSplit Broadcaster is available for $2.50 a month. Since XSplit does not offer a free trial, there is also a free version.

Since OBS is Open-source software, you do not even have to purchase it. All you have to do is download the software for free on any electronic video streaming system and use it.

The app also allows users to edit the code to add new functionality tailored to their requirements.

Conclusion

Is XSplit a decent option? Yes, this is fantastic software, but in the comparison of XSplit and OBS Studio, the latter is preferable.

XSplit premium is great streaming software, but the free version is close to OBS, so it is best to stick with OBS for most people. You can make excellent content with this app if you use the right plug-ins. However, XSplit premium comes out ahead in features and might be worth trying if you don’t mind spending a few bucks.

The good news is that all of these problems can be solved. Chrome’s CPU usage can be toned down by troubleshooting and the RAM issue can be contained to a certain extent. Before we dive into the solution, it is important to understand why chrome is using too much memory and CPU in the first place.

Why Does Chrome Use so Much CPU?

There can be a lot of problems with your browser that cause you to have high CPU usage. With Google Chrome, CPU usage can be much more difficult to ascertain than RAM usage. However, here are some of the most common reasons for an increase in Chrome CPU usage:

• Excessive Extensions
• Malware
• Hardware Acceleration

Of course, older systems have slower CPUs and are at a bigger risk of having a high Chrome CPU usage problem. Remember that you can follow our comprehensive guide on how to lower CPU usage so that Chrome hogging the resources is not as big of a deal.

Why Does Chrome Use so Much RAM?

Chrome uses a lot of RAM because, like all other modern processors, it has each of its processes running separately. This is actually a good thing for the user since a tab or a web page crashing will not crash your entire browser.

On top of that, you also get extra security due to the multiple processes. An attack on any of the plug-ins running on one tab will not be transferred to another tab within the processor. This will make sure you do not lose any important work files even if one of your tabs crashes.

However, this leads to problems too such as certain processes must be unique for each of the tabs. Because of this, Google Chrome can end up using a lot more RAM than is necessary. If you find it slowing your computer down, then there are certain measures you can take to curtail Chrome using too much memory.

How to Fix Chrome Using Too Much Memory And CPU

There are numerous steps you can follow which will massively decrease the amount of resources your web browser utilizes. Although Chrome will always have high RAM usage, it is possible for you to tone it down enough so as to not have a detrimental effect on the performance of your computer.

Before we begin, remember to perform a standard scan of your computer for malware and viruses as they could be one of the reasons why your browser is taking up so much of your processing power.

Use Google Chrome Task Manager

Chrome’s built-in task manager is the perfect tool for you to evaluate Chrome CPU usage. In order to open the task manager, press the Shift and Escape keys together and you will be able to see the task manager window.

Here, you will be able to monitor individual processes which are hogging your resources. Sometimes, it is only a single web page taking up a mammoth amount of resources. If the web page is not essential to your workflow, simply close the process and you will have some processing power on your hands.

You can also stress test your CPU to make sure your hardware is not in need of an upgrade. If your computer’s performance is not up to par, a new CPU or more RAM might be in order.

Remove Extra Extensions

Extensions can be a great way for you to add additional functionality to your browser. However, too many extensions can end up slowing down your computer unnecessarily. For this reason, it is a good practice to monitor all of your extensions once in a while (through the Chrome task manager) and remove the ones you do not need.

You can manage your extensions by opening Chrome and typing in ‘chrome://extensions/’. This will bring up all the installed extensions on your computer. From there, simply disable or remove the ones that you feel are unnecessary.

Once the extensions have been removed, simply restart chrome and see if Chrome is still using too much memory/CPU. Another thing you can do to reduce Chrome CPU usage is to disable the extensions when they are not in use and only enable them when required.

Use Chrome Flags

This is a feature that many users are not aware of. Flags are experimental chrome features which offer a plethora of benefits to the user. Simply load up Chrome and type in ‘chrome://flags’ in the address bar to bring up a list of flags that you can enable/disable.

From here, you need to enable both ‘Show Saved Copy Button’ and the ‘Automatic Tab Discarding’. Once you have done this, the browser will automatically discard tabs when not in use to preserve memory. When you click on the tab, the content will be displayed once again.

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration is rarely the reason for Chrome using too much CPU, but it has been known as a cause for this issue. In order to turn off acceleration, you need to open settings and click on ‘Advanced’.

Once there, simply toggle the option titled ‘Use Hardware Acceleration when available’. After this, monitor CPU usage to see if it had any effect. If you find that the CPU usage is unchanged, then remember to toggle the option back on.

Reset Chrome to Default

Although this is not recommended, resetting Chrome back to its default settings can be a last resort if nothing else on this list is working for you. In order to reset Chrome back to its factory settings, you need to head to the Advanced settings menu (the same one which disables hardware acceleration) and scroll to the bottom.

Here, click on the ‘Reset settings to their original defaults’ option and confirm the action. Remember that this will erase all settings as well as extensions that you have installed.

If this also does not reduce your RAM/CPU usage, you can also try deleting and reinstalling Chrome. However, resetting Chrome should be enough for most people.

Final Words

There is absolutely no doubt that Chrome can sometimes be a hassle. However, following all of the aforementioned tips should reduce the resources that Chrome utilizes by a considerable amount. In the end, it is up to you to balance functionality with performance according to your liking.