How to Speed Up Your Browser and Make It Feel Like New

Extensions are the biggest culprit

Every browser extension runs code on every page you visit. A browser with 15 extensions will be noticeably slower than one with two or three. Go through your extensions — in Chrome type chrome://extensions, in Firefox type about:addons — and remove everything you do not actively use. The difference is often dramatic.

Clear cached data

Browsers store cached versions of websites to speed up repeat visits — but this cache can grow to several gigabytes and paradoxically slow the browser down. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac and clear cached images and files. Do this monthly. You can leave cookies if you want to stay logged into websites.

Too many open tabs

Each open browser tab uses memory. Fifty open tabs can consume several gigabytes of RAM, leaving less for everything else. Browser extensions like OneTab can suspend all open tabs into a saved list that uses almost no memory. Only keep tabs open that you are actively using.

Check for rogue extensions

Some browser extensions — often installed accidentally when downloading free software — run advertising code that significantly slows browsing. Unexpected adverts on pages that do not normally have them, or a changed homepage or search engine, are signs of a browser hijacker. Run Malwarebytes to remove them.

Update or switch browsers

Using an outdated browser version is both a security risk and a performance issue. Modern browsers are significantly faster than versions from a few years ago. If you are using an old version of any browser, updating will make an immediate noticeable difference. Chrome, Edge and Firefox are all regularly updated with performance improvements.

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