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Published: April 12, 2011 by RKONIT

Reset Google Chrome in Windows, Linux & Mac OS without Re-installation

We have already covered Internet Explorer and Firefox and described, “How can we reset their settings to default without Re-installation?” Now its time to Google Chrome.

Both Internet Explorer and Firefox have direct or indirect ways to reset their settings. But in case of Google Chrome, there is no direct or indirect method. Finally we have figured out the Google Chrome, how it manages all settings and First Run instance.

How To:

Google Chrome doesn’t store any Windows Registry, instead of creates a 0KB file called First Run at the root of installation directory. Chrome checks existence of this file, when it run.

If the First Run exists, Chrome bypasses the Run first time wizard and launch browsing window, Else follow the Run first time wizard to customize settings.

So we can restore first run by simply deleting this file, the file can be found at root of installation directory or default locations:

For Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application
For Windows Vista or later
C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application

In addition, Google Chrome creates a folder User Data to store personalize settings including preferences, history, download list etc.
To Reset them, just delete all the fiiles and folders from User Data and the locations are:

For Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data
For Windows Vista or later
C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\User Data
For Mac OS
~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default
For Mac OS X
~/.config/google-chrome/Default

NOTE: You may lose all program settings, Bookmarks etc after deleting User Data.

Applies To:

  • Google Chrome (all version including Betas)

Last Review: February 27, 2013

Comments

  1. Jacko says

    January 14, 2013 at 4:34 AM

    I can’t take an article seriously that ends in “LOOSE”, when they meant “lose”…

    Reply
  2. whiner says

    October 30, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    shouldn’t the last link be for linux?

    Reply
  3. Mou16 says

    June 28, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    open google chrome……click on the wrench->settings->under “user” there is an option “delete this user”->then click on “delete”

    Reply
  4. Alrwai90 says

    May 18, 2012 at 2:44 AM

    sorry guys i have important point here 
    i reset chrome but still download manger as same (download manger Acceleration is remain) & i remove it previously What can i do with this stuck in my browser  
    i want chrome download manger chrome is the default 

    Reply
  5. Mozaso says

    April 21, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    Chrome isn’t comfortable browser, every time has a problem, especially with yahoo mail and facebook,,, sometimes the buttons at the websites doesn’t work and also the arrange of a web page becomes unscramble… have these experience.
    Why Chrome is the best browser? I think Firefox is definitely better than it.

    Reply
  6. Leonardo Henrique says

    February 17, 2012 at 3:31 PM

    where is directory of Chrome for Linux? We need it.

    Reply
    • Ramesh Kumar says

      February 23, 2012 at 11:45 PM

      Thanks for tip! and the post is updated for Linux and Mac too.

    • mememe says

      April 25, 2012 at 9:09 PM

      In Linux, Ubuntu /home/yourusername/.config/google-chrome/ (to show hidden folders (like .config) press Ctrl+h).  google-chrome folder is something like User Data folder in Windows and /opt/google/chrome is something like Application Data.

  7. Gabriella says

    November 4, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    I’ve gotten a home/startpage that’s the first thing to show up when I start Google Chrome, is there any way to remove it?

    Reply
    • Ramesh says

      November 4, 2011 at 11:04 PM

      Open the following URL- chrome://settings/browser. In Basics, under Home page section, Set your homepage as your startup page.

  8. Beth Snaper says

    July 16, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Internet Explorer and Firefox both have direct or indirect ways to reset their settings. But in case of Google Chrome, there is no direct or indirect method.As Google Chrome is full of so easy and many features, I recommend all of you to install and use Google Chrome Browser on your computer.

    Reply
  9. Icko says

    September 20, 2009 at 10:31 PM

    Thanks for tips.

    Reply

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