Guide: How to Optimize Firefox Browser to get better Performance

Mozilla’s Firefox 10 has been met with positive reviews, making it a great choice for accessing the ever-growing web.

Over time, Firefox can slow down with repeated use. To optimize the browsing experience, try some tweaks to improve boot speed, loading times and web page accessibility. Check out the guide below for tips on how to get the most out of Firefox.

Quick shortcut commands

Mastering a few keyboard shortcuts is the best way to speed up your web browsing experience. With repeated use, these shortcuts will become second nature.

Not everyone needs the same information, so a command that makes sense to one person may be meaningless to another. To find helpful articles on the most common shortcuts, search Google.

1. Delete private data

Internet security is a must for safe browsing. Though much improved from a decade ago, users should still be aware of how their data is stored and how to erase it.

The settings panel can be accessed through a short menu. To keep your data safe, it’s recommended to clear all the listed items - such as cookies, cache pages and active logins - every time you close the browser window. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which routine cleaning works best for you.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to quickly clear your browsing history.

2. Add-ons toolbar

The Firefox add-ons menu provides quick access to commands and menus normally found in the plugins area, appearing as a small toolbar at the bottom of your window.

Using fewer third-party extensions can improve browser performance. To maintain a slim browser, limit the number of add-ons you install.

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + / can be used to quickly access a feature.

3. Open the download window

Firefox users have experienced the frustration of accidentally clicking out of a download window, only to struggle to find their menu again. Fortunately, a simple command can bring up not only active downloads but also the recent history of previous files – making it easier to locate forgotten folders.

Press Ctrl + J to quickly open the Downloads window on your computer.

Mac users should use the Command key instead of the Ctrl key.

Increase local cache storage

Firefox stores a cache version of website content to reduce future code re-download requests. By default, it allows up to 1 GB of stored cache, but this may be too small for your disk space. Consider increasing the size for better performance.

Firefox 8.0 had 256MB of local cache storage as default, allowing users to save up to 10-15 minutes of loading time when revisiting websites after extended browsing sessions.

To clear up storage space, open the Advanced tab in Firefox’s Tools or Preferences menu and set the cache limit to 1024 MB, the maximum allowed. Restart the browser for this change to take effect.

Users should be cautious when installing extensions in Firefox, as too many can cause the browser to slow down. Fortunately, disabling or removing unused add-ons is a simple process. Here are some of the most popular extensions that won’t impact speed or page performance.

1. Download status bar

The download status bar is a helpful addition to the browser experience, providing an unobtrusive way to track file downloads. Instead of a new window popping up, users get a neat toolbar at the bottom of their browser window. This feature has been well-received since its introduction.

My downloads are now more efficient than ever thanks to a new feature that allows me to check the total file size, amount remaining, and estimated time left for completion without having to open a separate window. I can also pause or delete items from the queue with just one click. I highly recommend giving this a try!

2. WOT – Check reliable websites

WOT, an unusual plugin with an odd name, proved to be a pleasant surprise. As its title suggests, it provides ratings for websites based on feedback from users who have visited them. This allows users to make informed decisions about which sites they can trust.

Many users find that WOT serves little purpose, as website legitimacy can be determined within seconds. However, it can be useful for building trust and credibility when exploring websites from social networks like StumbleUpon.

3. Element Hiding Helper for ABP

Adblock Plus, a popular Firefox extension, has been a go-to for users looking to remove ads. Now, developer Wladimir Palant has released Element Hiding Helper, an extension that allows users to block any page element they choose - regardless of its content.

This plugin is ideal for those who want to remove specific ads, audio or otherwise, from websites. It also allows users to block JavaScript apps and HTML blocks that may be disruptive or annoying.

4. Speed ​​dial

Opera and Google Chrome now offer users the convenience of speed dialing on their home pages, a feature Firefox has yet to implement in a meaningful way.

This plugin provides users with the ability to customize which links appear in the 9-box grid system, as well as adjust settings such as thumbnail height and width. It has been well-received by Mozilla users, and more information can be found on its official website.

System changes in about: config

Firefox users can access and edit internal variables in the software by opening a new tab, typing “about:config” and hitting enter. After being warned of the potential risks, clicking “I’ll be careful” will take you to a table of values that can be adjusted.

Software variables are associated with specific values that control how the software works and performs. Here are some tips for making reliable edits to these variables.

1. Increase the number of pipes

Type “network.http.pipelining.maxrequests” into the filter box at the top to find a row with a single value, set to 4. Increase this number to 8 and Firefox will be able to request data through 8 channels instead of 4, reducing wait time significantly.

To enable pipelining and see significant effects, double-click the table row for network.http.pipelining and change the value from false to true.

2. Turn off picture placeholders

Firefox has implemented image placeholders to prevent page content from being displayed incorrectly while waiting for the image data. Though this feature is useful, it can make the user experience feel disorganized.

To enable images to appear on your browser, set the filter box option “browser.display.show_image_placeholders” to false.

3. Turn off interface animations

Firefox’s UI can be sped up by disabling the animation effect when opening or switching to a new tab. To do this, search for browser.tabs.animate and set the value to false - you’ll be surprised how much faster your browsing experience becomes.

4. Increase lasting connections

Firefox’s download speed is optimized by setting a lower limit on the number of persistent connections it can make to a server. This helps ensure steady downloads, but when downloading larger content like streaming audio or video, increasing the number of connections can result in more data being collected at once.

To improve your browser’s performance, enter “network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server” in the filter box and change the default value of 6 to 8. Restart your browser for the changes to take effect.

Conclusion

Firefox has long been a reliable browser, and its engineers have kept it at a steady pace in the competitive market.

With an abundance of free plugins and extensions, almost any issue can be solved. This guide offers a starting point for optimizing your web browsing experience. If you have any other tips for speeding up Firefox, please share them in the comments section.

How to Optimize Firefox Browser to get better Performance: benefits

Faq

Final note

Share this guide to help your friends optimize their Firefox browser for better performance. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

If you have any questions about optimizing Firefox Browser for better performance, please ask us in the comments section or contact us directly. This guide is for educational purposes only. If you want to correct any misinformation or add more methods, please contact us. For help, use our contact page or follow us on Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter. We answer questions within 24-48 hours (weekends excluded). For the latest software updates and discussion about any software, join our Telegram channel.