Google Chrome, one of the most popular web browsers globally, is always on the forefront when it comes to enhancing user experience. An instrumental feature aiding in this endeavor is the Prefetch or Network Prediction. By caching pages linked to the web page you’re currently browsing, Chrome anticipates your next move, ensuring that subsequent pages load swiftly. Consequently, users experience a more seamless web surfing environment. However, there’s a trade-off: while the feature undoubtedly boosts browsing speed, it can consume a significant chunk of background data. Notably, it manages various technical aspects such as TCP, SSL pre-connection, and DNS prefetching.
For those who weigh the balance between speed and data consumption or are simply curious about the functionalities they can control, adjusting this feature is crucial. In this Risewindows article, we will guide you through the detailed steps on how to enable or disable network prediction (commonly referred to as prefetch or prefetching) on Google Chrome. Whether you’re using Chrome Settings or the Registry Editor on Windows 11/10, our guide ensures you’re well-equipped to make an informed decision.
How to Enable or Disable Network Prediction on Google Chrome Settings?
Do these steps to turn on or off the network prediction (prefetch) on Google Chrome Settings:-
Step 1. Open Google Chrome on a PC or Mac.
Step 2. Pick the Menu button in the upper-right corner to select Settings in the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Pick the Privacy and security in the left sidebar.
Step 4. Next, pick the Cookies and other site data tile in the “Privacy and security” section.
Step 5. Scroll down and enable or disable the toggle switch Preload pages for faster browsing and searching.
You should be able to enable or disable Network Prediction or Prefetch on the Google Chrome browser once you complete the above steps.
How to Use Registry Editor to Turn On or Off Prefetch (Network Prediction) on Google Chrome on Windows 11 or 10?
Do these steps to enable or disable Prefetch (Network Prediction) on Google Chrome on Windows 11 or 10 using Registry Editor:-
Step 1. Open Registry Editor.
Step 2. Browse to the following path in the left sidebar of Registry Editor:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies
Step 3. Right-click on the Policies key and pick New > Key.
Step 4. Name this new key as Google.
Step 5. Right-click on the Google folder and select New > Key.
Step 6. Name this key Chrome.
Step 7. Right-click on the Chrome key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 8. Name this REG_DWORD as NetworkPredictionOptions.
Step 9. Double-click on the NetworkPredictionOptions REG_DWORD and set the “Value data” to the following:-
- 0 = Prefetch always enabled.
- 1 = Prefetch enabled on any network that is not cellular.
- 2 = Disable prefetch or Network Prediction.
Step 10. Press OK.
Step 11. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Conclusion
Google Chrome’s Prefetch or Network Prediction feature enhances browsing speed by caching subsequent pages. While beneficial, it also increases data consumption. Users have the flexibility to adjust this feature based on their preferences. In the above article, two methods have been explained: the first one demonstrates enabling or disabling the feature via Chrome Settings, and the second provides steps to manage this functionality using the Registry Editor on Windows 11/10. Adjusting these settings allows users to strike a balance between speed and data usage based on their requirements.
