Google Chrome Helper - what is it?
If you use Google Chrome on Mac OS, you will find the "Google Chrome Helper" process in the activity monitor. In this article, we clarify what lies behind and whether you really need this process.
Google Chrome Helper on Mac OS - what is it?
In addition to the normal Chrome processes, the activity monitor also contains the entry of the Google Chrome helper. In some cases, this process even consumes most of your CPU and memory.
- This is because the Google Chrome Helper manages all elements that run outside of the browser. This includes certain plugins such as Flash or Silverlight as well as various addons.
- The process is thus the graphical interface between the code of the individual websites and the display in your browser. The more such elements Google Chrome has to represent, the higher the CPU and RAM utilization of the process.
Mac OS: Disable Google Chrome Helper
By default, the Google Chrome Helper starts automatically with your browser. You can prevent this and activate the process manually if you need it.
- To do this, click on the menu icon with the three horizontal bars in the top right corner of Chrome and select "Settings".
- At the very bottom click the "Show advanced settings" link.
- In the "Privacy" section, choose the entry "Content Settings".
- Activate the "Click-to-Play" entry under "Plugins" and click "Done".
- If you then restart Chrome, the helper remains deactivated for the time being. As soon as you find Flash, Silverlight or Java content on a website, you have to activate it individually with a click. Only then will the process start and put a strain on your system.
- Another advantage: This way, you can also deactivate annoying flash advertising in your browser.
- Note: This article is based on Chrome 41.0 for Mac OS.