How to Stop and Disable Web pages AutoRefresh?

Have you ever noticed how some web sites automatically reload the page every minute or two? It’s frustrating, unnecessary, and thankfully can be easily disabled in Firefox.

1. How to Stop and Block Web Pages from Auto Refresh or Reload in Firefox

In Firefox, go to Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> General -> Accessibility section, and then tick the check box labeled as Warn me when web sites try to redirect or reload the page.

Checking the option is equivalent to setting accessibility.blockautorefresh preference setting in about:config to True.

2. How to Stop and Block Web Pages from Auto Refresh or Reload in Internet Explorer

Auto refresh is a useful feature of Internet Explorer. It allows websites to automatically reload with the latest content. It is especially useful for websites with quickly changing content such as Facebook. The refreshing makes it possible for content to appear consistently, without interruption.

However, sites using this feature sometimes end up annoying the user rather than providing them with a better user experience. Constant refreshing can slow down older computers, or can cause information that you need to disappear. If you want to disable automatic refreshing, here’s how.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer if it is not running already. Click on Tools and then Internet Options.

Step 2: In the Internet Options dialog box, click on the Security tab and then select Internet Zone. Click on the button below labeled Custom Level.

Step 3: Scroll down the list that pops up until you find the entry called Allow Meta Refresh. You can see two option buttons below the entry: Disable and Enable. By default, it should be enabled. Disable it and click OK.

Step 4: Click Apply and OK on the Internet Options dialog box. That is it! Your page will no longer refresh automatically anymore, so you will not have to worry about content being updated or changed without your permission.

Although this solves the annoying problem of a web page refreshing every few seconds, let me make it clear that meta refresh is important. Many websites use it to direct the visitors to the correct web page, though the use of meta refresh is discouraged by the W3C. The use of Meta refresh by websites is decreasing day by day and is being replaced by JavaScript functions or HTTP redirection headers.

Refferences:
[1] http://www.mydigitallife.info/stop-and-disable-web-pages-auto-refresh-or-reload-in-firefox/

[2] http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/50509.aspx