Set the background tab inactivity timeout for sleeping tabs
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 88, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge - Default Settings (users can override)\Sleeping tabs settings User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge - Default Settings (users can override)\Sleeping tabs settings Description
This policy setting lets you configure the timeout, in seconds, after which inactive background tabs are automatically put to sleep if sleeping tabs is enabled. By default, this timeout is 7,200 seconds (2 hours). Tabs are only put to sleep automatically when the policy 'SleepingTabsEnabled' (Configure sleeping tabs) is enabled or isn't configured, and the user has enabled the sleeping tabs setting. If you don't configure this policy, users can choose the timeout value. Policy options mapping: * 30Seconds (30) = 30 seconds of inactivity * 5Minutes (300) = 5 minutes of inactivity * 15Minutes (900) = 15 minutes of inactivity * 30Minutes (1800) = 30 minutes of inactivity * 1Hour (3600) = 1 hour of inactivity * 2Hours (7200) = 2 hours of inactivity * 3Hours (10800) = 3 hours of inactivity * 6Hours (21600) = 6 hours of inactivity * 12Hours (43200) = 12 hours of inactivity Use the preceding information when configuring this policy.
Registry
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Set the background tab inactivity timeout for sleeping tabs
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 88, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended]
"SleepingTabsTimeout"=dword:0000001eMore formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set the background tab inactivity timeout for sleeping tabs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 88, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'SleepingTabsTimeout' -Value 30 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set the background tab inactivity timeout for sleeping tabs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 88, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended' -Name 'SleepingTabsTimeout' -Expected 30 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set the background tab inactivity timeout for sleeping tabs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 88, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'SleepingTabsTimeout' -Value 30 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set the background tab inactivity timeout for sleeping tabs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 88, Windows 7 or later
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set the background tab inactivity timeout for sleeping tabs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 88, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended' -Name 'SleepingTabsTimeout' -Expected 30 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set the background tab inactivity timeout for sleeping tabs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 88, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'SleepingTabsTimeout' -Value 30 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.