Optimize Firefox for Broadband users | How To

Did you know that Firefox by default is optimized for Dial up users?  But even dial up users can further enhance their browsing speed to up to 150 times its normal by tweaking it. However, if you have given up using dial up and now use DSL, then you will need to change some of the settings to make it work for DSL connections.

Before we begin, you’ll need to make a back up of your Firefox’s registry. Here is how you back up your registry in Firefox:

FireFox Registry Back up

First, Close Firefox, select Start, Run (just Start in Vista), type %appdata%mozillafirefoxprofiles, and press Enter. The resulting Windows Explorer window will contain a folder with a very strange name, like ‘4hw0enat.default’ – see screen shot.

Open that folder, and then copy the file prefs.js to a safe location.

Optimization for Broadband Connections

Once you have safely backed up Firefox registry. Open Firefox and press ALT+D (more Firefox shortcut keys here) to place the cursor in the address bar.

Enter about:config and press Enter. Then enter network.http.pipelining or simply copy paste it in the filter bar. Set its value to True ( see screen-shot).

Next, enter network.http.pipelining.maxrequests to bring up the ‘Enter integer value’ dialog box. You will see a value of 4 by default; enter a higher number than 4; 15 should work. Press Enter.

The last thing that you will need to do it to enter a string text by right-Click anywhere then click ‘Create New’ and then select ‘Integer‘. Name it ‘nglayout.initialpaint.delay‘ – see screen shot. Next set this to ‘0‘ (Zero) and press enter.

Restart Firefox. Re-open it and experience the difference your self!