Maintenance for Google Chrome, Part 1
If you are like me, your go-to browser is Google Chrome. But just like changing the oil and checking the air pressure in your car’s tires; how about your browser?
First, how about cleaning up after yourself? Sometimes, it is important to clean up the debris that has built up already. First, we will go to “Settings.” Remember this process since you will need it for some more of the things I refer to here. Click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of Chrome. Now, look to the bottom of the list that appears and click on “Settings.”
On the left menu, click on “Privacy and security,” then choose “Delete browsing data.” Making sure that, “All time” is selected in the Time range. Be aware that you will need your passwords and usernames to log back into your previously logged-in websites, since they will be cleared. If you do not have them recorded, make sure you do that first before proceeding. Do not contact me if you say you had no idea what your bank account username and password were (or any others) and you cannot get back to your vital information. That is “your mistake” and a bad way to deal with security.
And here are some details from Leo.
Now to continue to the process…all the other basic items will be checked so now click the, “Delete data” button at the lower-right, and let ‘er rip. This will wipe out all the cookies stored in Chrome. As well as other images, and temporary data stored on your local computer’s browser along with contributing to speedier browsing. I do this about once a month or so, but that is your call.
Next, you may go to the Settings tabs again, or while you are there from the previous steps, and click on the “You and Google” link on the left. From there, go to “Sync and Google services.” There is really no right or wrong here, it is up to you and your preferences. Please check online for specifics to see how you would like to set them. Use YouTube.com as your best source on what to look into. We all have our preferred settings, so I will not direct you here.
While you are in Settings, I do suggest you go over to “System” on the left side. After you click it, and cut OFF “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed.” This wastes a lot of your RAM, if you let it remain on. It may already be switched off, but it is a good place to check. While there, another good thing to adjust is to make sure that, “Use graphics acceleration when available” Is marked as ON.
While you are already in Settings, on the left menu, click, “Search engine.” In that window, click on “Manage search engines and site search” at the bottom.” You will be presented with a list of search engines to use. Since Google owns Chrome, Google is the default search engine. But with a click, you can change it to another. I use DuckDuckGo, but again that is preference. Try them all over time and make your preferred choice.
Last for today is, “Appearance,” which is also in Settings. Everything here is about your preferences, too. I will not look at all of the settings in this area, but you can play. From the top, click on the boxed arrow to the fight of “Customize your toolbar” and look at the choices. You can set up links/buttons for many things you may use in your Chrome toolbar. I always add Home, Print and Cast first, since I use these. There are many more there and if you made a mistake, you may uncheck them or click, “Reset to default” and your changes will vanish.
Below that is Mode, play with it and see what you like.
Scrolling down, “Show home button” is one of my favorites. I set the home button to a page I really like. Then, when I am in Chrome and I click the home button, located at the top left next to your address bar, I go directly to that specific page, instantly.
That is all I have room for today, but next week there will be more.
