9 Simple Tricks to Enhance Chrome’s Speed
As the leading web browser globally, Chrome owes much of its popularity to its exceptional speed. However, there are still methods to enhance its performance further. If you find Chrome running slower than you’d prefer, consider these effective strategies to boost its speed.
1. Clear the Cache in Chrome
The cache is intended to accelerate loading times by retaining key information about frequently visited pages. However, if left unmanaged, it can become cluttered with outdated data. This can lead to newer site information being overlooked.
Therefore, clearing your cache is a wise step towards improving Chrome’s performance.
To do this, open Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Del simultaneously. Alternatively, you can enter chrome://settings/clearBrowserData into the address bar.
Check the boxes for Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data. You may select additional options if desired, but these two are essential.
Select All time from the Time range dropdown, then click Delete data.
2. Keep Chrome Updated
Running an outdated version of any software can hinder its performance, possibly resulting in Chrome freezing or crashing on your device.
Most of the time, simply closing and reopening the browser will prompt it to install necessary updates. If this doesn’t happen, click the hamburger menu icon located in the top right corner.
Navigate to Help and then select About Google Chrome.
If your Chrome version is out of date, a Relaunch button will appear. Click it to initiate the update process.
3. Disable Unnecessary Chrome Extensions
Chrome extensions can enhance your browsing experience and improve productivity. However, unused extensions can consume resources, making it beneficial to disable or remove them.
If an extension is marked, right-click and choose Remove from Chrome to uninstall it.
Otherwise, click the extension icon and opt for Manage Extensions.
Select Remove next to any extension you wish to uninstall.
If you encounter extensions that won’t uninstall, consider using a third-party extension removal tool.
4. Utilize the Chrome Task Manager
Chrome features an internal task manager where you can monitor active tabs and processes. To access it, click on the menu icon at the upper right, go to More Tools, then select Task Manager. Alternatively, press Shift + Esc while in Chrome.
This tool displays which tabs and extensions are consuming the most memory. Click the Memory column to sort the processes by their usage. If you notice any process excessively using resources, select it and click End process.
5. Adjust Preload Settings
Enabling page preloading can significantly enhance Chrome’s speed. Start by selecting the menu icon and navigating to Settings from the dropdown menu.
Proceed to Performance -> Speed and toggle the Preload pages option and other relevant preloading features if needed.
6. Implement an Ad-Blocker
While not all advertisements are detrimental, they can sometimes cause Chrome to slow. Pages filled with ads require Chrome to load additional elements, consuming system resources.
To mitigate this, consider using an ad-blocker. I have used Adblock Plus for several years. Although it may not block every ad on certain sites (like YouTube), it remains effective overall.
Additionally, be sure to block pop-up windows in Chrome and all other browsers you use.
7. Activate GPU Rasterization
If you are into gaming or using graphically intensive applications, enabling GPU rasterization can enhance Chrome’s performance. Although it is typically enabled by default, you should confirm that it hasn’t been disabled previously.
Enter chrome://flags/ in the URL bar and press Enter.
Search for GPU Rasterization using Ctrl + F.
Expand the dropdown menu and choose Enabled.
8. Suspend Unused Tabs
Tabs that are left open in the background can drain your system’s resources. Instead of merely closing them, consider enabling a Chrome flag that suspends these inactive tabs to free up memory while allowing easy reactivation upon clicking them.
To activate this feature, input chrome://flags in the URL bar, hit Ctrl + F, and search for “tab discarding.” Click the dropdown menu next to it, select Enabled, and restart Chrome to apply the changes.
9. Enable Graphics Acceleration
You can improve Chrome’s speed by enabling hardware acceleration within your settings. Click the menu icon, then go to Settings -> System.
Ensure that the option Use hardware acceleration when available is activated.
If you’re curious, you can review how hardware acceleration impacts various Chrome features by visiting chrome://gpu/.
As you continue using Chrome, it may become slower, especially if cache clearing and optimization are overlooked. Don’t forget to remove unwanted extensions to ensure smooth performance. Once your browser is operating efficiently, you might also want to focus on keeping your bookmarks organized in Chrome.
Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Danny Maiorca.
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