We use web browsers to retrieve information from the internet. High-performing ones enable a user to download files and access webpages faster than low-performing ones. Usually, browsers handle requests to access webpages from the internet. They search and retrieve the necessary information from a web server and then show the results to the user. These pieces of content could be pictures, videos, webpages, or other files. 

How to Make Firefox Download Faster

One of the most used browsers worldwide is Firefox, with many features that can be tweaked to speed up the rate at which a user retrieves information from the web. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to increase the download speed of Firefox by editing the about:config file. 

What is Firefox About:config File?

In Firefox, the Configuration Editor (about:config) allow users to manipulate its application settings. These settings (also called preferences) are read from the profile files prefs.js, user.js, and application defaults. Many preferences are not visible in Firefox Options or Preferences menu. But using the about:config enables you to have access and change the hidden preferences or add new ones if you need to do so.  How to Open About:config To improve Firefox download speed, we shall be modifying the about:config file. The ability to change these advanced features is a unique advantage Firefox has over the competition. To access the file, type about:config in the browser address bar and then press Enter.  A warning message will appear – click Accept the Risk and Continue. Then proceed to the about:config page. Click Show All to display all the preferences currently set in the profile. You can use the Search preference name box at the top of the about:config page to quickly locate a specific feature.  Modifying Preferences To add or change an existing feature, double-click on it. Alternatively, do the following:  For a (true-false) feature, click the Toggle button. For a (text) or a number preference, click the Edit button and enter a new value. Click on the checkmark to save the change.  To change a preference to its original value, click the Reset button. To remove an added entry, click the Delete button. If you entered a new preference via about:config, it will not be listed after Firefox restarts.  How to Speed-up Firefox Using About:config Next, we’ll adjust the pipelining settings in Firefox. Usually, the browser makes only one request to a web page at a time. But to increase the number of requests at once and improve performance, you can enable pipelining from the about: config. Do the following to adjust the settings:  Set http.pipelining to True. Set http.proxy.pipelining to True. Change http.pipelining.maxrequests to a bigger number like 8 (to make up to eight requests at once).  Next, search for max-connections in the Search preference name box.  Change http.max-connections to 96. Change http.max-connections-per-server to 32.  Finally, add a new preference nglayout.initialpaint.delay into the Search preference name box at the top of the about:config page. On the right-hand side of the search result, you will notice several options. Do the following:  Select Number and then click on New. Set the new preference value to 0 (zero).  Additionally, you can modify the options below in about:config:  Set dns.disableIPv6 to False. Set expose_full_path to True.  Zero is the time the browser waits before acting on the received information. In the Search preference name box at the top of the about:config page, enter the name of any preference you wish to adjust.  Conclusion Following the steps above will help to increase your browser download speed. Our central focus was on altering Firefox about:config preferences. There are other ways to make the browser more efficient. One of the most efficient methods is to  href=”https://www.enablejavascript.io/en” title=”enable JavaScript”> in your browser. JavaScript takes care of most modern websites’ interactive elements, so it’s a great way About:config File? In Firefox, the  allow users to manipulate its application settings. These settings (also called preferences) are read from the profile files prefs.js, user.js, and application defaults.

Many preferences are not visible in Firefox Options or Preferences menu. But using the about:config enables you to have access and change the hidden preferences or add new ones if you need to do so. 

How to Open About:config

To improve Firefox download speed, we shall be modifying the about:config file. The ability to change these advanced features is a unique advantage Firefox has over the competition. To access the file, type about:config in the browser address bar and then press Enter. 

A warning message will appear – click Accept the Risk and Continue. Then proceed to the about:configpage. Click Show All to display all the preferences currently set in the profile. You can use the Search preference namebox at the top of the about:config page to quickly locate a specific feature. 

Modifying Preferences

To add or change an existing feature, double-clickon it. Alternatively, do the following: 

• For a (true-false) feature, click the Togglebutton.
• For a (text) or a number preference, click the Edit button and enter a new value.
• Click on the checkmark to save the change. 

To change a preference to its original value, click the Reset button. To remove an added entry, click the Deletebutton. If you entered a new preference via about:config, it will not be listed after Firefox restarts. 

How to Speed-up Firefox Using About:config

Next, we’ll adjust the pipelining settings in Firefox. Usually, the browser makes only one request to a web page at a time. But to increase the number of requests at once and improve performance, you can enable pipelining from the about: config. Do the following to adjust the settings: 

• Set http.pipelining to True.
• Set http.proxy.pipelining to True.
• Change http.pipelining.maxrequests to a bigger number like 8 (to make up to eight requests at once). 
             
   

Next, search for max-connections in the Search preference name box. 

• Change http.max-connections to 96.
• Change http.max-connections-per-server to 32.      
             
   

Finally, add a new preference nglayout.initialpaint.delay into the Search preference name box at the top of the about:configpage. On the right-hand side of the search result, you will notice several options. Do the following: 

• Select Number and then click on New.
• Set the new preference value to 0 (zero).          
             
   

Additionally, you can modify the options below in about:config: 

• Set dns.disableIPv6 to False.
• Set expose_full_path to True.    
             
   

Zero is the time the browser waits before acting on the received information. In the Search preference namebox at the top of the about:configpage, enter the name of any preference you wish to adjust. 

Conclusion

Following the steps above will help to increase your browser download speed. Our central focus was on altering Firefox about:config preferences. There are other ways to make the browser more efficient. One of the most efficient methods is to enable JavaScript in your browser. JavaScript takes care of most modern websites’ interactive elements, so it’s a great way to enhance your browsing experience.