How to Eliminate Web Accelerator

Removing a web accelerator takes only a few mouse clicks.

A web accelerator reduces the time needed to access websites by using a proxy server. Web pages that are frequently or recently accessed are cached on the proxy server. If a requested web page is available on the proxy server, the web accelerator serves that page to the user, increasing access speed because the page is being read from the proxy server and not the remote server. A very large number of web accelerator applications are available online. To be sure that you get a website's most updated web page, the web accelerator should not be used.

Things You'll Need

• Windows-based computer
• Web browser
• Web accelerator software installed

Instructions

Turning Off the Web Accelerator

1. Open a web browser. Click the Windows "Start" button, and then click "Programs." Click on the the web browser that you would like to use. The web browser window will open.

2. Start the web accelerator. Often, web accelerators will start when the web browser opens. If the web accelerator doesn't open with the browser, start it manually. Click the Windows "Start" button, and then click "Programs." Click on the web accelerator application. The web accelerator will start and show in your browser's toolbar. Some web accelerators will also show an icon in the Windows system tray.

3. Access the web accelerator through the web browser or system tray icon. Click on the web accelerator icon in the web browser or system tray. A menu of options will be presented.

4. Turn off the web accelerator. Select the "Stop" or "Turn Off" option in the web accelerator options menu. The web accelerator will be turned off. The web accelerator can be turned back on by repeating these steps and selecting "Start" or "Turn On" in the web accelerator's option window.

Uninstall the Web Accelerator

1. Access the control panel. Click the Windows "Start" button, and then click "Settings." Click "Control Panel" in the displayed menu. The Control Panel will open.

2. Open the "Add or Remove Programs" application. Click on the "Add or Remove Programs" icon in the Control Panel window. The Add or Remove Programs application window will open.

3. Select the web accelerator to uninstall. In the Add or Remove Programs window, find the web accelerator to be eliminated, and click to highlight the program.

4. Remove the web accelerator software. Click the "Remove" button under the highlighted web accelerator program in the Add or Remove Programs window. The web accelerator software will be uninstalled.

References

• Pcworld: Top Ten Web Accelerators
• Pcworld: The Need for Speed