Is your Chrome browser feeling sluggish or exposing you to privacy risks? Over time, extensions pile up, permissions slip through the cracks, and settings drift away from what is optimal. Here are seven practical steps to make Chrome more secure and faster in 2026.
1. Clean Up Your Extensions
Every extension you install consumes system resources and requests access to your browsing data. The more you have, the slower and less secure Chrome becomes. Type chrome://extensions into your URL bar and review every entry. Remove anything you do not recognize or no longer use. A lean extension list directly translates to faster page loads and fewer attack vectors.
For recommendations on useful Chrome add-ons, check out our guide to the best new tab Chrome extensions for a curated list that balances productivity with performance.
2. Review Extension Permissions
After trimming your extensions, click the Details button on the remaining ones and look for the Site access section. If an extension requests access to all sites, ask yourself whether it truly needs that level of permission. Change the setting to On specific sites or On click where possible. This step prevents extensions from reading or altering data on pages they do not need to interact with.
3. Use a Script-Blocking Extension
Many websites load heavy scripts for tracking, ads, and autoplay videos that slow down your browsing experience. A script-blocking extension stops these scripts from running by default and lets you whitelist sites you trust. This can dramatically improve page load times while also protecting your privacy from tracker scripts. Popular options include uBlock Origin and NoScript, both available from the Chrome Web Store.
4. Enable Preloading for Faster Navigation
Chrome can predict which links you are likely to click and preload those pages in the background. This feature makes navigation feel instant. To enable it on desktop, go to chrome://settings, open Privacy and security, and toggle on Preload pages for faster browsing and searching. On Android, the same option lives under Settings > Privacy. On iOS, open Settings > Bandwidth and choose Preload Webpages.
5. Enforce HTTPS Everywhere
Not all websites have switched to HTTPS, leaving your data exposed on older HTTP connections. The extension HTTPS Everywhere, created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Tor Project, automatically redirects sites to their secure HTTPS versions. It is free, lightweight, and adds a strong layer of protection against snooping on unsecured networks. Combine it with a reliable VPN for even stronger privacy.
For more on keeping your browsing safe, read our roundup of the best free ad blocker extensions for Chrome.
6. Run Chrome’s Built-In Cleanup Tool
If Chrome still feels slow after the steps above, your system may have unwanted software that interferes with the browser. Chrome includes a built-in cleanup tool for Windows users. Go to chrome://settings, scroll to Advanced, and under Reset and clean up, click Clean up computer. Click the Find button and let Chrome scan for and remove any problematic software.
7. Reset Chrome to Factory Defaults
As a last resort, you can reset Chrome to its out-of-the-box state. This removes all extensions, restores default settings, clears temporary data, and disables any flags you may have experimented with. It is a nuclear option, but it fixes persistent slowdowns and mysterious behavior. Go to chrome://settings, click Advanced, scroll to Reset and clean up, and select Restore settings to their original defaults.
Once you have reset, consider installing only the extensions you truly need. Our guide to the best Chrome themes can help you customize the look without bogging down performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these steps work on Chrome in 2026?
Yes. The instructions above apply to the current stable version of Google Chrome. The settings menus remain largely unchanged, and all features mentioned are still actively supported by Google.
Do I need to follow all seven steps?
Not necessarily. Start with steps 1 and 2 for an immediate security and speed improvement. Steps 3 and 4 offer additional performance gains. Steps 6 and 7 are reserved for more serious issues.
Can I use these tips on Chromium-based browsers?
Most Chromium-based browsers such as Brave, Edge, and Opera share similar settings menus. The same principles apply, though the exact menu labels may differ slightly. Refer to your browser’s documentation for specifics.
With these seven steps, your Chrome browser will run faster and keep your data more secure. Start with the easiest changes and work your way up to a full reset if needed.
