Every now and then it is a good idea to do a nice reset of the browser settings to clear them and to delete the garbage that fills the cache, which in the long run can slow down navigation. Obviously, before resetting, it is advisable to save your favorites so as not to lose them and find them after the reset or after a new installation.
Whenever you install or reset a browser like Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or Firefox, there are always some settings to change to make browsing the internet more fluid, faster, safer and more practical .
READ ALSO: Reset Firefox, Chrome, IE to default settings
Settings to change on Google Chrome
The first time after a reset or after a new installation, Chrome is very fast, snappy without delays.
Keeping it so fast becomes, in reality, almost impossible if you use it at full capacity exploiting every function, adding the favorites bar and, above all, if you install many extensions.
We have seen, in another article, that to speed up Google Chrome if slow or heavy it is appropriate to uninstall or disable unused extensions, keeping them active 10 or maximum 15, without exceeding this limit.
With more than 15 extensions installed, in fact Chrome can become a real pachyderm, especially if you keep many tabs open.
To disable or disable Chrome extensions you can go to the extensions page by pressing the button with three lines at the top right and then on Other tools .
Once the extensions are fixed, open Chrome Settings and change the following options, from top to bottom:
- Log in with a Google account to synchronize favorites, extensions, history and settings themselves (so after each new installation or reset you will only have to log in with your account to find everything as it was before).
- Change the option At startup to continue where you left off so you don't lose open tabs if you close Chrome by mistake.
Note however that Chrome has the function of restoring open tabs if it crashes.
This option can also be left on the "new tab" page to open Chrome faster; then installing an extension to save the open tabs you can reopen the sites you were looking at at any time.
- Under Appearance, be sure to activate the home page button and the bookmarks bar button, which is very useful to always have in view.
- Under People, activate the guest access, in order to be ready when some friend or colleague uses our computer and wants to browse with Chrome, so as not to allow him to see our favorites and the sites we were visiting.
The feature is, for now, only on Chrome beta and the choice to browse as a guest is made by clicking on your name or icon on the top right and then on Change person .
- Open the Advanced Settings and check the options of the Privacy section.
In this regard, I wrote a guide on Chrome's privacy and security options, explaining them one by one.
Personally, I keep them all activated because I don't have much privacy to protect, but if you are worried, I recommend at least to enable the control on phishing and malware.
- In the Password and forms section the opinions are conflicting, there are those who trust and who does not.
Personally, I recommend activating the saving of passwords and the automatic filling of forms which is really convenient, unless you use a separate password manager such as Lastpass.
- We have already talked about Google Cloud Print, some may find it useful, others less, depending on the needs.
- The latest System settings in Chrome should be activated by default, although you can choose: hardware acceleration allows you to see sites with graphic animations, but it can slow down the browser while keeping Chrome running in the background accelerates its startup and allows you to receive notifications from extensions even if the browser is closed.
READ ALSO: Google Chrome tricks, hidden commands and options for expert navigation
Settings to be changed in Firefox
The talk about extensions already done for Chrome, also applies to Firefox, so better not to overdo it.
To access the settings, press on the three lines at the top right and then on the Options button.
- In the General tab, you can decide to load the latest tabs opened at startup or the homepage.
- In Tabs, make sure that the option to open new windows on a new tab is active and remove the warning when closing multiple tabs, rather boring.
- Firefox's privacy and security settings have been explained in another article and can be left as they are.
- In the password section, you can decide whether to remember the entered passwords, which is very convenient, or not to do so if you are afraid that they may be spied on by other people.
- The Sync function in Firefox allows you to synchronize data, favorites and history so that you can find everything on other computers or smartphones and tablets as well.
The guide to synchronize Firefox on PC and mobile phone is in another article.
- Advanced options and generally you don't need to touch them.
- Firefox also has customization options to choose which buttons to see in the main bar at the top.
In another article you can read the guide to customize the Firefox interface .
READ ALSO: Best 20 functions and tricks for Firefox on PC to know
Settings to change on Internet Explorer
Press the gear button at the top right and change the internet options :
- In the General tab, change the homepage with www.google.it or with another favorite site and then click on the Tabs button to disable the grouping option, which I personally find uncomfortable.
- Close the options and, always from the gear button, open the add-ons management to change the default search engine (in the search provider section, click on find other providers below) by replacing Microsoft's Bing with Google Italy.
- Internet Explorer security options, smartscreen filter and monitoring protection are the most important, explained in another article.
READ ALSO: Change the settings in browsers modified by malware, adware and toolbar
