Optimize Firefox Performance Via Defragmentation Add-on Applications

Mozilla Firefox browser version 3 and above stores a variety of configuration data such as bookmarks, history, RSS feeds, cookies, etc in its self managed and self contained SQLite databases. Over time, the database will get fragmented. The size of the database will get inflated with more and more junk data mixed together with real data. This will technically affect the browser’s performance, e.g. slow down the browser’s loading, delay the start up, cause overall speed drops, etc. To boost and optimize the Firefox browser’s performance, users need to defragment the browser from time to time. By defragmenting the database, users will actually “vacuum” the database to get rid of old and junk data, thus optimizing its performance again.

Mozilla Firefox has disclosed a simple vacuum technique by running some codes in the Error Console command within the browser to defragment the SQLite database:

• Go to MenuTools -> Error Console
• Paste the following in the “Code:” text-box: Components.classes["@mozilla.org/browser/nav-history-service;1"].getService(Components.interfaces.nsPIPlacesDatabase).DBConnection.executeSimpleSQL(”VACUUM”);
• Press Enter or click Evaluate. The database will thence be vacuumed immediately.

The process will speed up the browser’s performance once it is completed done. Nevertheless, if users do not want to try this measure or encounter problems while doing this, there are some Firefox add-ons which users can add to their Firefox browser to defragment and vacuum the SQLite database.

Vacuum Places Improved

Based on Firefox’s add-on Vacuum Places app, Vacuum Places Improved is an improved version which works under a similar concept but features more options for users who want to defragment their Places Database. This database defragmentation tool offers users two options: to be configured for auto-cleaning the SQLite databases on every x startup of the browser OR issue users with reminders to clean the database manually after every x start by displaying an icon in the Firefox status bar. Users are given permission to freely set the “x” number.

Users can download Vacuum Places Improved for their Firefox (version 3.5 above) via the link here.

SpeedyFox

For Windows only, SpeedyFox works a bit similarly to the Vacuum Places add-on which can speed up the browser’s performance by defragmenting the database. This new utility tool will auto-detect users’ default profile for optimization. Users can select other profiles for the same operation in the event users have more than one profile. The optimization process is pretty fast. However, the time consumed depends on the size of the database. The whole optimization process is safe as it does not affect your history, bookmarks, passwords, etc.

Users who want to try SpeedyFox can download the software application via the link here. The developer offers both setup and portable versions.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at 3:24 pm and is filed under Utilities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.