How to Maximize Internet Speed with IE6

You can use Internet Explorer 6 to surf the web faster.

Microsoft has released additional, faster versions of its Web browser Internet Explorer since the release of its sixth version (IE6) in 2001. The installation version of IE6 provided by Microsoft sets the number of connections that IE6 employs to link to the Internet at two. You can alter the Registry file of IE6 to increase the number of connections to ten and thereby increase the speed at which IE6 loads pages and downloads content. You can also increase the size of IE6's cache, which improves the rate at which it loads previously viewed pages.

Instructions

Alter the Number of Internet Connections for IE6

1. Open Windows Registry Editor. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Run application window type "regedit" (without the quotes) and then press Enter. Wait for Windows to compile a list of your programs.

2. Open the Internet Settings Registry. Click on HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Then locate and click on "Software." Find "Microsoft" and click it. Then locate and click "Windows." Find "CurrentVersion" and click it. Finally, find "Internet Settings" and click on it.

3. Enter a new value for the Internet Settings. Highlight Internet Settings in the left hand-column. Click the "Edit" button, then highlight "New," then highlight "DWORD Value" and click on it. Windows will now open an application window that lets you enter text.

4. Create a registry entry for the number of connections IE6 uses to connect to the Internet. Type "MaxConnectionsPerServer" (without the quotes) in the application window. Press the Enter key. Windows will now return you to the registry editor.

5. Set the number of Internet connections for IE6. Double-click on "MaxConnectionsPerServer" in the registry editor to open its registry file. Set the Base for this value at "Decimal" and then, in the box marked "Value data," enter 10.

6. Exit the Registry editor and re-start your computer.

Increase the Cache Memory

1. Open IE6.

2. Open the Internet Options application window. Click the "Tools" menu and, in the drop-down menu that appears, click "Internet Options."

3. Open the Settings box for IE6 by clicking on the "Settings" button in the middle of the "Internet Options" application window.

4. Increase the amount of disk space used by IE6. Shift the slider to the right to increase the amount of memory Windows makes available for IE6 to store Temporary Internet files. Or enter the number of megabytes (MB) you want Windows to devote to Temporary Internet file storage.

5. Save your changes by clicking "OK" to close the "Settings" box. Then click "OK" to close the "Internet Options" application window.

References

• Boot Strike: 10 Tips to Speed Up, Optimize & Boost Internet Explorer 8, IE7 and IE6 Performance
• Microsoft Internet Explorer: How and Why to Clear Your Cache
• Celtic Kane: Web Browser Javascript Benchmark
• Microsoft: Internet Explorer History

Resources

• Microsoft: Internet Explorer 6 System Requirements
• Tech Spot: Internet Explorer 6 and Outlook Express Tweak Guide