How to customize Chrome’s plugins to get the best performance

Plugins are a important part of the browser, they add functionalities and features that the browser may not have by default. These are easily customizable if you know what you’re doing; if you don’t then here’s this guide.

First of all, lets go in the plugin’s page, type this in the address bar “about:plugins”, without the quotes.

Ok, I’ll explain the plugins, remember that this are mine, you may have others.

• Flash: This is the flash plugin that we use to see videos or play some games. This plugin is divided in two, one from Google (native) and the other one that we install manually. Chrome will use by default the native one. You choose whether to enable it or disable it.
• Default Plug-in: according to the legend, this plugin allow the installation of third-party plugins, but I always keep it disabled and I still can install and update plugins. Disable it.
• Google Gears: this is the plugin that provides more functionalities, but I have never seen any difference with or without it, except an increase in the search in Google Reader when disable. Disable it.
• Java: this is the java plugin, since I almost never use Java, I keep it disabled, but that depends on how much do you use it. You choose whether to enable it or disable it.
• Microsoft Office: it may have it uses, but I haven’t find it yet. Disable it.
• Google Update: this is the plugin that keeps our Chrome up to date. If you want to be updated, enable it; if you don’t want to be updated, disable it.
• Picasa: I use Picasa and Chrome a lot, but I haven’t found a use for it neither. Disable it.
• Microsoft DRM: apparently, this is a plugin for playing Windows Media files, but there is another plugin that do this. I’ll go with Disable it because in some cases creates problems and a high CPU usage.
• Orbit Downloader: this plugin comes with Orbit Downloader, it let Orbit to caught some downloads. You choose whether to enable it or disable it.
• VLC Multimedia plugin: this is a media plugin. Most players are built in flash, but in case they’re not, you can try testing this one. I have never try it but as I said, most of the players are flash, so Disable it, and enable when need.
• Chrome PDF viewer: this is PDF Reader that chrome includes natively. You can also find Adobe’s or Foxit’s, that depends on your installed PDF Reader and if you installed the plugin, but I recommend to keep them enabled. Enable it.
• Shockwave: this plugin has the same usage as Flash, You choose whether to enable it or disable it.
• Windows Media Player: another media plugin. This is mostly use for streaming video.Disable it, and enable when need.

Remember that the plugins may vary depending on which software you currently have installed.