The speed of the internet connection is normally characterized by three fundamental aspects: the download speed, the upload speed and the latency (ping). When signing a contract with a new customer, all ISPs (Internet Service Providers) offer a package in which the maximum download and upload speed is defined. If you have purchased an internet connection whose maximum speed is equal to 1 Mbps (megabits per second), there is therefore no legitimate method to be able to exceed this speed without requesting a line update directly from your telephone company. However, there are several methods that allow you to optimize the hardware available to always have maximum access to the available data, which results in an increase in transmission speed. In some cases it may be possible to double the speed of browsing the web and the speed with which you download files from the internet.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Increase Speed by Improving Hardware
Step 1. Use a wired connection via Ethernet cable instead of a Wi-Fi connection
A wireless connection is certainly the most comfortable and simplest way to connect mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to the internet. Nonetheless, some studies have found that using a wireless internet connection can reduce data transfer speeds by as much as 30%.
Step 2. Purchase a new network router
Older devices may fail to keep up with modern technology due to the use of outdated hardware components. This may limit access to the available data for which you are paying a monthly subscription. The prices of routers on the market vary from those of the economic range, which start at around € 20, up to the high-end ones, which can reach prices even higher than € 10,000. For home users, purchasing a € 20-50 router should be more than enough to take full advantage of the available connection.
Wi-Fi repeaters (also called Wi-Fi Extenders or Boosters) and directional antennas can reduce the dispersion of the wireless signal, and therefore of data, by concentrating it in a specific direction or making it easier for devices connected to the network to access (like a computer). Search the web using the keywords "wireless extender", "wi-fi repeater" or "wi-fi directional antenna" to see if this type of tool may be the right solution for you
Step 3. Verify the goodness of the ADSL modem
Most of the modems that manage the actual internet connection are provided on free loan (or upon payment of a small monthly amount) directly from the ISP, but often these devices do not represent the state of the art at all. in terms of connectivity (and if you are paying a monthly sum for the rental of the hardware they also represent a non-negligible additional cost). Again, search the web for an ADSL modem model that best meets your needs and, if you find that the one you are currently using is not suitable, replace it with a new one.
Some experienced professionals suggest replacing the network modem with a three-year expiration to make sure you always have a device available that can guarantee maximum efficiency
Step 4. Restart your modem and network router regularly
When devices of this type remain active for long periods of time they can generate large temporary files (for example the error log, the activity log, installed updates, etc.) which can compromise their efficiency. to the implicit effort derived from constant use. While this step does not guarantee an increase in the speed of your internet connection, resetting your modem and network router once a week can generate a noticeable improvement in the quality of your web connection speed.
Step 5. Judge the condition of your device
If you use an outdated computer to browse the web, the problems you are experiencing in the speed of the internet connection could simply be the result of using an outdated technology, too little RAM memory or inadequate computing power to process the volumes of data coming from the web. In this case, buying a new, modern computer may be the only way to improve your browsing speed.
Step 6. If you are using a wireless connection, try changing your location
In this case, moving the device to a point that is closer to the network router may mean being able to receive a stronger signal, which automatically translates into a faster browsing speed than the previous one. The walls of the house, the furniture and all the objects of furniture can interfere or reduce the strength of the Wi-Fi signal over the distance, even getting close to the source can therefore generate a significant difference in terms of speed.
Choosing a new place to place your Wi-Fi router can be a great solution, especially if poor network signal strength is the cause of your web browsing problems
Step 7. Turn off all devices using the internet connection, except of course the one you are using
If family members, roommates or friends use the internet connection at the same time through their mobile devices, the total bandwidth made available by the ISP is divided among all connected users. Even when smartphones and tablets are not in use, but simply turned on, they continue to use the internet connection to perform their functions, with the consequence that your browsing speed is lower than normal.
Method 2 of 3: Increase Speed Using Software
Step 1. Check for software updates for your router, modem, and computer
Most routers and modems do not update their firmware automatically; in the long run, this could limit the speed of data access. The "firmware" is a software component embedded in the modem that acts as an operating system. You can check for new updates directly from the configuration page of the device itself.
To access the configuration page, enter the IP address of the router or modem (corresponds to the address that appears in the "Default Gateway" item of the network configuration) in the address bar of the internet browser. If you are unsure which address to use, know that most manufacturers usually use a default one, namely 192.168.0.1
Step 2. Change the router configuration settings
This step may not work for all devices; before continuing, then perform an online check to be sure that your router can work even with the "bridge" mode disabled. Most modern network routers should support this mode of operation. Access the configuration page of the router you wish to modify by typing its IP address (i.e. the address of the Default Gateway item) in the address bar of the browser. Now that you have had direct access to the router, locate and select the "Wireless Interface Type" or "Wireless Interface Configuration" section; it is usually located within the "Advanced Wireless Settings" or "Advanced Wireless Settings" tab. Change the network protocol from "802.11b / g / n (20MHz)" to "802.11n (40MHz)". In this way the maximum bandwidth that can be managed by the router goes from 300 Mbps to 600 Mbps, effectively doubling the transmission capacity of the device and therefore also the total speed.
If you are having difficulty accessing the router configuration page, please know that the default IP address is usually "192.168.0.1" or "192.168.1.1". Try using these addresses within the browser; if successful, a pop-up window should appear where you can type in your login credentials (username and password)
Step 3. Carefully evaluate the applications you install
Regardless of the device in use (smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.), unnecessary applications running in the background have the power to consume a percentage of the CPU and bandwidth of the internet connection. Delete all apps and programs that you don't use or that aren't necessary to perform your functions. If you are unsure of the purpose or need for a specific application, do a quick web search using the full program name. This simple step should let you know whether or not you can delete the program under consideration.
Step 4. Limit the number of applications running
Having too many programs running at the same time could slow down all the normal functions of the device, effectively hindering even browsing the web. Even applications designed to run in the background can generate an effect like the one described. Uninstall any application or program you don't need.
Applications for smartphones and tablets are famous for being large "consumers" of the internet connection bandwidth; some studies have in fact shown that, on average, the software installed on the smartphone is able to consume 10, 7 MB of data per hour
Step 5. Scan your system with anti-virus and anti-malware software
There are thousands of free applications on the market that offer a basic service of this type in addition to more complete paid programs. To find the one that's right for you, do a quick web search. Viruses and malware use the internet connection to replicate themselves, generating data traffic that severely limits your browsing and the speed at which information is transferred. In extreme cases, the device infected by these entities could even become unusable to access the web.
Never install more than one anti-virus program at a time. Respecting this rule is important because, otherwise, software of this type would conflict with each other, significantly reducing the computer's processing capacity and therefore also the speed of the internet connection
Step 6. Install a browser extension
There are add-ons designed specifically for internet browsers that can pre-load the contents of all links on a web page before they are even clicked. In the face of a slightly longer page loading time than normal, this device makes subsequent navigation within the site much faster. Depending on the extension and the device in use, adopting this step can increase your internet browsing speed by a number of times between 2 and 10 times normal.
Always pay close attention to the extensions you install. Unfortunately, some of these programs turn out to be malware, which are passed off as normal extensions. Too many that are advertised as an effective aid in increasing the speed of web browsing actually consume a large percentage of the CPU and reduce the speed at which data is transferred and processed
Method 3 of 3: Increase Speed by Editing the Windows Registry
Step 1. Launch the Windows "Registry Editor"
Go to the "Start" menu, then type in the keyword "Regedit". The Windows "Registry Editor" is a software tool that allows you to modify this fundamental component of the operating system. This is where all computer configuration and operating settings are stored.
Step 2. Navigate to the "NameSpace" folder of the registry
To do this, you will first need to access the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" node: one of the many in which the registry tree menu is divided. From the "Registry" editor window, select the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder: it contains information about the hardware configuration of your computer. At this point, select the "Software", "Microsoft", "Windows", "CurrentVersion", "Explorer", "Remote Computer" and finally "Namespace" folders in succession.
Step 3. Increase the data transmission capacity of your computer over the network
Inside the "NameSpace" folder, there are information about searching for computers on the network to carry out scheduled tasks. This step simply results in longer loading times when browsing the web. You should find the key {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}.
Step 4. Change the data transmission speed
Make sure you fully understand the meaning of all entries in the "NameSpace" folder of the registry when you change this value. Select the key in question with the right mouse button and delete it from the "NameSpace" folder. In this way the navigation of the internet browser should be faster.
