This Microsoft Edge update will help you spot why your browser is running so slowly
New Detached Elements tool will help Microsoft Edge users debug memory leaks
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Spotting potentialbrowserslowdowns inMicrosoft Edgecould soon be a lot easier thanks to a new tool that will allow users to debug memory leaks.
Memory leaks occur when an application’sJavaScriptcode retains more and more objects in memory that it no longer needs instead of releasing them for garbage collect (GC).
For apps that run for a long time without being closed, small memory leaks of only a few kilobytes can add up to noticeably degrade performance over time according to a newblog postfromMicrosoft.
Detached
React, theopen sourceJavaScript library for building front end user interfaces, maintains a virtualized copy of the DOM (Document Object Model). However, failing to properly unmount components can lead to an application leaking large parts of the virtual DOM.
For this reason, the Microsoft Edge team worked together withMicrosoft Teamsto build the browser’s new Detached Elements tool that allows users to investigate and resolve DOM memory leaks.
Although there are valid reasons for detaching elements, DOM memory leaks occur when an application keeps references to more and more detached elements without actually reusing them later. As the code used in applications grows in size and complexity, it becomes easier to make mistakes and forget to clean things up which could unknowingly lead to keeping DOM elements in memory.
This is particularly a problem for long running applications. For instance, if anemail clientdetaches DOM elements every time an email is opened and closed and a user keeps the app running for a whole week, it could amount to really high memory usage and slow down a user’sbusiness laptoporworkstationover time.
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While Microsoft’s new Detached Elements tool has been available inEdge Canarysince version 93, it will roll out to the stable channel of Microsoft Edge when version 97 of the browser launches this month.
To access this new tool early though, you’ll first need to openDevToolsin Edge by pressing F12 and click on the gear icon to open the DevTools Settings. From here, navigate to Experiments on the left side of the Settings pane, type in Detached Elements and click on the tool to enable it.
After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
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