The 100-tab habit is widespread; it’s nothing to be ashamed of. But a cluttered browser can lower productivity and reduce computer speeds. Maybe it’s time to break that habit with a few simple tips.
Close the Tabs You Don’t Need
Your tab problem has very little to do with what browser you’re using or what extensions are installed on your computer. Really, over-tabbing is just a bad habit. It’s like having a cluttered desk.
What’s the best way to break a bad habit? Build new, positive habits. Keep an eye on the number of tabs that you’re opening, and routinely close tabs that you aren’t using. You can use the CTRL + W (CMD + W) keyboard command to quickly close through tabs, without aiming for any little red Xs. You can also right-click a tab to “Close Tabs to the Right” or “Close Other Tabs.”
Manage Tabs Manually
Tabs exist for a reason. Whether you’re working or shopping, you’ve probably got at least five tabs that need to stay open. The thing is, useful tabs can sometimes get lost in a sea of nonsense.
If you need to cycle through a mess of tabs quickly, try holding CTRL and pressing the Tab key. Each time you press the Tab key (while holding down CTRL), you’ll navigate through a vertical-style tab window that shows the name of each tab alongside a webpage preview.
Alternatively, you could keep track of your useful tabs by pinning them to your browser. You can do this by right-clicking a tab and choosing the “Pin tab” option. When you pin a tab, it locks to the left side of your browser and becomes smaller. New tabs won’t intrude on your pinned tabs, and pinned tabs can’t be closed without right-clicking.
Of course, pinning tabs is only useful if you’re focused on one task. If you’re researching Mark Twain while shopping for a new toilet seat, your pinned tabs can become a big mess. Try organizing separate tasks in separate browser windows. You can use the CTRL+N keyboard shortcut to open a new browser window or hold SHIFT while clicking a link to open it in a new window.
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