Optimize Firefox: Shortcuts, Speed & Extensions - Best Picks

Optimizing Firefox: Enhancements for Performance and Usability

Improving your Firefox experience can be achieved through a combination of useful keyboard shortcuts, performance-enhancing adjustments, and strategically chosen extensions. This guide details several methods to refine your browsing sessions.

Part 1: Efficient Shortcuts and Helpful Tips

Firefox offers a range of shortcuts to streamline your workflow. Discovering and utilizing these can significantly boost your efficiency.

• • Mouse Scroll Button – Clicking a link with the mouse scroll wheel will open that link in a new tab.
  • Slash (/) – This provides a quick alternative to the 'Ctrl+F' shortcut for within-page searching. It automatically closes after use. Utilize 'F3' for next and 'SHIFT + F3' for previous results.
  • Apostrophe (') – Similar to the "/" shortcut, this function specifically searches among the page’s hyperlinks.

• Logging into Firefox Without Visiting the Login Page [read it on Geektronica.com]
• Open Search Results in a New Tab [via: tech-recipes.com] – By default, Firefox displays search results within the current tab. This tip explains how to configure Firefox to open search results in a new tab. [HowTo: Type 'about:config' in the URL bar -> locate 'browser.search.openintab' -> double-click to change the value to 'true']
• Prevent Window Resizing [via downloadsquad.com] – Some websites may unexpectedly resize your browser window. Here’s how to maintain your preferred window size. [HowTo: Go to Tools (or 'Edit' for OS X and Linux users) -> Preferences -> Content -> click 'Advanced' to the right of 'Enable Javascript' -> uncheck 'Move or Resize Existing Windows']
• Assign Keywords to Bookmarks – Firefox allows you to assign keywords to bookmarks for quick access. [HowTo: Right-click on the bookmark -> Properties -> navigate to the 'Keyword' field and enter a memorable keyword -> OK]
• How to manage multiple tabs in Firefox (lifehacker.com) – Learn how to bookmark a group of open tabs, launch a folder of bookmarks in tabs, and designate a tab group as your Firefox homepage.

Part 2: Performance-Boosting Tweaks

Several configuration adjustments can enhance Firefox’s speed and responsiveness.

1. Moving Firefox to Your Hard Drive When Minimized [via cybernetnews.com] – This optimization moves Firefox to your hard drive when minimized, reducing RAM usage. Maximizing the browser will not be noticeably delayed.

• [HowTo: Type 'about:config' in the URL bar -> Right-Click in the page, select New and then Boolean -> type in: config.trim_on_minimize and press Enter -> double-click to select 'True']

2. Prevent PDFs from Freezing Firefox [via helpero.com] – You may have encountered situations where clicking a PDF link causes Firefox to freeze or even crash. This tip provides a solution.

• [HowTo: Install the PDF Download extension -> Restart Firefox -> go to Tools -> Add-ons, -> PDF Download and select Options -> in 'General' tab check the 'Open PDF box' then navigate to 'PDF opening' and check the 'Use OS default viewer' box -> Click OK]

3. Back-Forward Cache [via mozillazine.org] – Firefox utilizes a "Back-Forward cache" to load recently visited pages more quickly. The amount of cached pages depends on your RAM (e.g., 5 pages for 512 MB RAM, 8 pages for 1 GB RAM).

• [HowTo: Type 'about:config' in the URL bar -> browser.sessionhistory.max_total_viewers -> double-click and change the default "-1" value to 0 or a small number like 1 or 2]

4. Fetch Only What You Click [via lifehacker.com] – Firefox proactively downloads pages from links it anticipates you might click, such as top Google search results. This consumes bandwidth and CPU resources. To disable this feature:

• [HowTo: Type 'about:config' in the URL bar -> double-click 'network.prefetch-next' to set it to 'false']

5. Disable Memory Leaking Extensions [sources: cybernetnews.com | mozillazine.com] – Some Firefox extensions can cause memory leaks, leading to browser slowdowns. This may be due to poor design or conflicts with other extensions. The mentioned sources list problematic extensions and potential workarounds.

Part 3: Useful Firefox Extensions

Numerous extensions can enhance Firefox’s functionality. For curated lists, such as “top 10 for productivity” or “top 20 for web developers,” refer to previous posts about Top 16 'Firefox extensions' links ever published.

1. ColorfulTabs – Assigns different colors to tabs, making it easier to distinguish between them.

2. Firefox Extension Backup – Automatically backs up your extensions, themes, bookmarks, preferences, passwords, cookies, or even your entire profile.