392848 – Microsoft Edge: v.140 – Auto-discarding Sleeping Tabs

Product:

Microsoft Edge

Platform:

Web, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Links:

Details:

Tabs that have been sleeping for a long time will be discarded to save memory. When a user navigates back to a discarded tab, the tab will need to be reloaded. This can be managed through the AutoDiscardSleepingTabsEnabled policy. This policy will be enabled if the SleepingTabsEnabled policy is enabled.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2024-04-10

updated:
2025-09-09

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Memory Management Impact
Users may experience delays when accessing previously discarded tabs as they need to be reloaded, potentially disrupting workflow.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/discussions/microsoft-edge-v-140-auto-discarding-sleeping-tabs/td-p/123456

User Experience Degradation
Frequent tab reloads can lead to frustration among users, especially if they rely on multiple tabs for their tasks.
   - roles: End Users, Product Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/business/enterprise

Increased Support Tickets
The change may lead to an increase in support requests related to tab management and performance issues, straining IT resources.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Operators
   - references: https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-edge-sleeping-tabs-feature/

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

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Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft Edge has introduced a feature in version 140 that helps manage computer memory more efficiently by automatically discarding tabs that have been inactive, or "sleeping," for a long time. Think of it like closing the door to a room you’re not using to save on heating costs. When you want to use the room again, you simply open the door, and the room warms up. Similarly, when you navigate back to a discarded tab, it will need to reload, much like turning the heat back on in that room.

This feature is particularly useful for users who tend to keep many tabs open at once, as it helps free up system resources, allowing your computer to run more smoothly. The AutoDiscardSleepingTabsEnabled policy manages this feature, and it will only be active if the SleepingTabsEnabled policy is also enabled.

For those managing IT policies, this means you have control over whether this feature is active in your organization. You can think of it as setting a rule for how often unused rooms should be closed off to save energy, ensuring that your team’s computers are running efficiently without unnecessary resource drain.