Google Chrome flags are defined as a series of commands that allow us to interact with some hidden functions in the browser. As Google indicates on the page of the Chrome flags, their use is related to experimental functions that have not yet been implemented in the browser. Many functions are intended to configure Chrome beyond the options that the application itself offers natively.
Among the possibilities that the browser’s flags offer us, we see the options to accelerate and improve the speed of Google Chrome without resorting to third-party extensions.
Because of this, we have compiled some features to be used on any Chrome version, even on the mobile phone.
How to Access the Chrome Flags?
Firstly, we need to know how to access the chrome flags. Accessing Chrome flags is very simple. It’s as simple as typing the following address in the browser’s address bar:
chrome://flags/
Next, Google Chrome will show us a list of all the commands to apply, which will depend on the version we have.
enable-parallel-downloading (Parallel Download of Packages)
Although the activation of this flag does not improve the speed of the browser directly, it does increase the speed of downloads through the parallel download of packets. It directly affects the download speed that Chrome can offer based on the speed we have contracted in our Internet connection.
To activate this command, we will write the following address in Chrome:
chrome://flags/#enable-parallel-downloading
Then we will mark ‘Enabled’ to activate this feature.
Proactive-Tab-Freeze-and-Discard (Proactive Tab Freezing)
It is well known the memory expense that Chrome causes in the system. Much of the blame has the tabs that are stored in the RAM of the computer to expedite access later. Luckily, there is a command that allows us to freeze both the status and memory consumption of the browser tabs, which we can access from the following address:
chrome://flags/#proactive-tab-freeze-and-discard
Finally, check the option ‘Enabled Freeze and discard, heuristics disabled.’
Smooth-Scrolling
As the name of the command suggests, the smooth scroll is a function that allows us to navigate between the content of web pages in a more agile way without suffering the known “stumbles” that occur when sliding the wheel of the mouse up or down.
Accessing the command is as simple as entering the following address:
chrome://flags/#smooth-scrolling
Then check ‘Enabled’ to activate the feature in question.
GPU-rasterization (Rendered by GPU)
Chrome usually makes use of the processor and RAM to maintain smooth operation. Fortunately, the browser allows us to play with the computer’s graphics card to further improve the performance of the computer when loading pages.
To do this, put the following URL in the Chrome address bar:
chrome://flags/#enable-gpu-rasterization
Finally, check the ‘Force-enabled for all layers’ option to force rendering on all application components. Together with this command, it is recommended to activate the OOP rendering flag that can be found at the following address:
chrome://flags/#enable-oop-rasterization
For this, we will use the ‘Enabled’ option.
Accelerated-2D-canvas (2D Graphics Acceleration)
A function very similar to the previous one that improves the processing of graphics in 2D, such as images or plain text with animations, which are processed via software. The application of this command delegates the processing to the computer hardware, and we can access it through the following URL:
chrome://flags/#enable-accelerated-2d-canvas
Like the rest of the commands, we will mark ‘Enabled’ for the function to be applied correctly.
Zero-copy-rasterizer (Zero-copy raster)
Retaking advantage of the GPU of our computer by relegating the processing threads to the graphics card, a task that is usually associated with the CPU. We can access this through the following command:
chrome://flags/#enable-zero-copy
Finally, check ‘Enabled’ to activate the feature in Chrome.
Other Commands to Accelerate Google Chrome
Many flags allow us to improve the speed of Google Chrome. Since their explanation could lead us to more than one article. Here is a list of all the commands and their configuration to apply in any version of Chrome:
- Automatic tab discarding: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Block scripts loaded via document write: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Brotli Content-Encoding: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Developer Tools experiments: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Experimental JavaScript: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Experimental QUIC protocol: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Fast tab/window close: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Future V8 VM features: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Hyperlink auditing: mark as ‘Disabled’.
- New Media Controls: mark as ‘Disabled’.
- No-State Prefetch: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- NoScript previews: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Number of raster threads: between 2 and 4.
- Offline Auto-Reload Mode: mark as ‘Disabled’.
- Only Auto-Reload Visible Tabs: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Optimize background video playback: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Override software rendering list: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Simple Cache for HTTP: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Tab audio muting UI control: mark as ‘Enabled’.
- Touch Events API: mark as ‘Disabled’ (only if you don’t use touch screens).
- Touch adjustment: mark as ‘Disabled’ (only if you do not use touch screens).
- Use all upcoming UI features: mark as ‘Enabled’.
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