How to Speed Up Microsoft Edge on Windows

Why is Edge So Slow

Microsoft Edge browser may be slow at some point but that shouldn't worry you. Just make a few changes to its settings and boost the speed.

Edge browser, the newest version of Internet Explorer, is a faster, secure, and user-friendly browser from Microsoft Company. It comes as a default browser for the latest versions of Window OS.

However, Edge also has a few drawbacks that can limit how you access the internet. One of the challenges that you're likely to experience with Edge is sluggishness when surfing the internet.

The following are tips that you can use to boost the speed of your Microsoft Edge browser.


1. Clear Browser Data (history, cache, and cookies)

Microsoft Edge stores most of the data that you access on the internet as history, cookies, or cached content. Unfortunately, the stored data can build up over time and occupy all the available memory, thus slowing thus browser.

Here’s a simple procedure on how to clear browser data and accelerate Edge.

Step 1: Launch Edge browser and click the settings menu button (three dots icon on the top right side of your browser.)

click the settings menu

Step 2: Go to the settings

Go to the settings

Step 3: Scroll the sub-menu that appears and go to “Clear browsing data” and click on “Choose what to clear.”

Choose what to clear

Step 4: Move to the checklist and tick things that you wanna clear. Make sure you only tick the boxes before the items that you wanna clear.

tick things that you wanna clear

Step 5: Once you have ticked the options, scroll down and click on the “Clear” button to get rid of history, cache, and cookies.

click on the “Clear” button


2. Disable or Remove Extensions and Plug-ins

Adding and enabling extensions and plug-ins on Microsoft Edge increase the functionality of your browser. Unfortunately, having many plug-ins on Edge can make it sluggish.

The following is a systematic guide on how to remove or disable extensions from your Edge and boost its speed.

Step 1: Launch Edge browser and click the settings menu button (three dots icon on the top right side of your browser)

click the settings menu

Step 2: Go “Extension” and click it

Extension

Step 3: Under “Installed Extensions”, select the extension that you wanna remove click the “Remove” button.

Installed Extensions

Step 4: A confirmation page will appear, click “Remove” and you’re done.

click Remove

Step 5: If you wanna disable the extension, toggle on the blue icon on the right end of the extension off. From blue blue  to white white

disable the extension


3. Deactivate proxy settings

It's good to use proxies when surfing the internet to hide your home IP address and enhance your online security and privacy. You can also bypass limitations set by some sites using proxies and enjoy online freedom.

However, proxies can also slow your browser. The following are simple steps that you can use to deactivate proxy settings and speed up your browser.

Step 1: Launch Edge browser and click the settings menu button (three dots icon on the top right side of your browser.)

click the settings menu

Step 2: Scroll down to the “Network and Internet” option and click it

Step 3: Go to the “Proxy” option

Step 4: Toggle off “Automatic detect settings”&“Use a proxy server.”

Automatic detect settings

Step 5: Save changes restart your computer to actuate changes


4. Check your internet connection

The fact that your Edge browser is slow doesn't mean that it's faulty. Probably, may have a slow or unstable internet connection. That's why it’s essential to check the internet connection if your browser is sluggish.

Edge browser gets slow when Wi-Fi fluctuations or if you lose wireless connection. The following are simple steps on how to check internet connection on Windows 10.

Step 1: Click the “Start button” on the bottom left of your screen

Start button

Step 2: Go to settings. Alternatively, you can press (Win+I) shortcut to launch the “Windows Settings” page.

Windows Settings

Step 3: On the Windows page, select “Network & Internet” as shown below

Network & Internet

Step 4: Choose “Status” from the page that appears to see your internet connection on the right side of the screen

Status


5. Modify Edge flags (Enabling TCP)

You can boost the speed of your browser by modifying Edge flags. One of the modifications that you can do is enabling TCP Fast Open. According to Google, you can boost “page load time” by up to 40% if you enable TCP Fast Open.

Here are simple steps that you can use to enable TCP Fast Open.

Step 1: Launch Edge browser

Step 2: Type “about:flags” without quotes in the address bar as shown below

about flags

Step 3: On the page that appears, scroll down, go “Networking” option, and tick the box on “Enable TCP Fast Open”

Networking


6. Repair damaged system file

Edge browser and other programs can be sluggish or crash if system files are corrupt. In that case, it is good to conduct SFC scanning and repair system files so that programs can function effectively.

The following are steps that you should follow to repair Windows 10 using the SFC tool.

Step 1: Click on the “Start” button

Step 2: Search “Command Prompt” and choose the “Run as administrator” option

command prompt run as administrator

Step 3: Type “sfc /scannow” without quotes and press enter

SFC scanner

Step 4: On the page that appears, confirm command results and wait for the SFC tool to scan and fix system file issues


7. Changing the browser

Sometimes it’s good to change your browser if it fails completely or if you can’t boost its speed by changing computer settings. You can re-install the Edge browser by getting a new version from the official Microsoft website.

However, you can try to make Edge your default browser to see if its speed will increase. Follow the following steps to make Edge your default browser.

Step 1: Lunch the Microsoft Edge browser

Step 2: Click the “Menu button” and choose “Settings”

Edge Menu button Settings

Step 3: On the page that appears, select “Default Browser”

Step 4: Choose the “Make Default” option and you’re done.

edge Default Browser

If the speed of your Edge browser doesn’t improve, you can re-install another version of Edge or try a different browser.


Finally

You don’t have to continue using a slow Edge browser because you can tweak its speed without paying even a dime. Just adjust its settings and get rid of features, programs, and settings that could be slowing your browser.

Most importantly, you should always make sure your computer is in good condition and you have a stable internet connection.

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