System not freeing up memory/Programs continually using up more and more memory

[jonathon]

@Steppingonthebeach

it’s a real shame that I have to stop using Firefox, as I really liked it

Probably not Firefox itself at fault:

[FAQ] Troubleshooting Firefox

Introduction Almost 100% of the time, issues with Firefox are not issues with Firefox but issues with extensions or your configuration. This post sets out the basic steps to narrow down where the issue lies. Outline The usual steps for troubleshooting Firefox: Clear the browser cache Start in Safe Mode Start with a clean profile a) Start with fresh preferences b) Remove old security/key database files Before each of these, make sure Firefox is not running. Clear the browser cache If you c…