Conduct a speed test to see if your upload and download speeds is comparable to what you’re supposed to get for your connection. Speedtest.net has free tests you conduct through your web browser.
Eliminate needless programs and web browser plug-ins to speed up both your computer and your web browser. There are a lot of programs loading every time your computer starts up. These almost always result in an icon in the lower left hand toolbar of your computer screen. You can click on some of them and adjust the settings to not load every time you start your computer. Other programs you may just have to exit; the auto load function can be a little harder to adjust without uninstalling the program altogether. There may be some programs you don’t use anymore, so uninstall them and you can greatly improve your computer speed.
In your web browser, disable any plug-ins/add-ins that you aren’t using; they suck up your connection bandwidth. This applies to tool bar add-ins as well, and you may need to actually remove the programs from your computer entirely using the Control Panel to get rid of them.
Increase your browser’s cache; this is the memory that the browser uses to store files for web pages you frequently visit. By increasing the memory of this temporary cache, you cause the pages you visit frequently to simply reload from memory instead of downloading the entire page from the internet again.
Turn off automatic subscriptions to things like podcasts, RSS feeds and software updates while you’re browsing to increase your speed too. You can turn these back on when you’re done surfing.
Finally, timing is everything – don’t download large files during peak internet usage times, typically mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
This is a guest post by Spencer Hogg from the website Broadband Expert where you can compare high speed internet providers in your area.