Chrome

Introduction

Google Chrome is a free web browser from Google. With its clean design and advanced features, Chrome has quickly become one of the most popular web browsers worldwide. In this lesson, we'll talk about the features of Google Chrome, how to download and install Chrome to your computer, and how to sign in to Chrome using a Google Account.

To learn more about how Chrome was created, check out this Google Book on Chrome's History.

Chrome's features

Chrome has several different features that make it easy to browse the Web. Learn more about some of Chrome's features below:

• Speed: Since Chrome was designed with web applications in mind, performance with websites like Gmail and Facebook is especially fast and reliable.
  
  Chrome's speed in action
• Security: Chrome has a variety of tools to help keep you safe online. Chrome is constantly updating, so you're always protected from the latest malware and phishing scams. For example, Chrome will show you a warning whenever you visit a page that is potentially dangerous.
  A warning page in Google Chrome
• Customization: While Chrome's design is simple, the Chrome Web Store makes it easy to customize Chrome with web apps, themes, and extensions.
  The Chrome Web Store
• Translation: Whenever you visit a website in a foreign language, Chrome will automatically offer to translate the page to your native language. This feature isn't always perfect, but it opens the door to millions of websites that you might never have visited otherwise.
  Translating a website

Downloading Chrome

Unlike Internet Explorer or Safari, Chrome does not come pre-installed with your operating system. To use Chrome, you must first download and install it to your computer. The process is simple and should take no more than a few minutes.

To download and install Chrome:

1. Using your current web browser, navigate to www.google.com/chrome.
2. The Google Chrome download page will appear. Locate and select the download button.
   Downloading Chrome
   
3. A dialog box will appear. Review the Terms of Service, then click Accept and Install.
   Accepting the terms of service
   
4. The Google Chrome Installer will open automatically. The download and installation process may vary depending on your current web browser and operating system. Step-by-step instructions will appear in the browser window if you are not sure how to proceed.
   Installing Chrome
   
5. The installer will close when finished, and Google Chrome will open.
   Opening Google Chrome for the first time

 Accessing Chrome

• If you are using Windows, Chrome will add a shortcut on your desktop. Whenever you want to open Chrome, just double-click the icon. You can also access it from the Start menu or pin it to the taskbar.
  
  Opening Chrome on a Windows computer
  
• If you are using a Mac, you can open Chrome from the Applications folder. You can also drag Chrome to the Dock for fast access.
  Opening Chrome on a Mac

If you want to use Google Chrome as your only web browser, you can set it as your default browser. Check out our lesson on Customizing Chrome to learn how.

Getting to know Chrome

Chrome offers many of the same features as most web browsers, in addition to its own unique tools. While Chrome is relatively simple to use, its interface may feel incomplete if you are used to a more traditional browser.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to become more familiar with the Google Chrome interface.

Chrome Menu

Click here to open the Chrome Menu. From there, you can organize your bookmarks, view your downloads, customize your settings, and much more.

Add Bookmark

Click the Star to add the current website as a bookmark. You can also organize bookmarks into folders.

Address Bar (Omnibox)

The Omnibox is both an address bar and a search bar. You can use it to navigate to different websites or perform a Google search.

Suggestions will appear below the Omnibox as you type, making navigation quick and easy.

Navigation Buttons

The Back and Forward buttons allow you to move between sites you have recently visited.

The Refresh button will reload the current website.

Tabs

Chrome allows you to view multiple websites in the same window using tabs. Just click a tab to view that page.

To create a new tab, click the New tab button. Alternatively, press Ctrl+T on your keyboard. If you're using a Mac, press Command+T.

Signing in to Chrome

One of Chrome's most powerful features is the option to sign in. Signing in allows you to access your bookmarks, saved passwords, history, and settings from any computer and even some mobile devices. 

You will need a Google Account to sign in to Chrome. Check out our Google Account tutorial for more information, including How to Create a Google Account.

If you have a Gmail address, you already have a Google Account. You can sign in to Chrome using your Gmail information.

To sign in to Chrome:

1. Click the Chrome menu in the top-right corner of the browser, then select Sign in to Chrome from the drop-down menu.
   Signing in to Chrome
2. A sign in form will appear. Enter your Google user name (or Gmail address) and password, then click Sign in.
   Signing in to Chrome
3. You are now signed in to Chrome. Click OK to close the dialog box.
   Clicking OK

We recommend that you do not sign in to Chrome on a public computer. Even if you sign out of your Google Account in the browser window, you may still be signed in to Chrome. This could allow other people to access your personal information, email, and saved passwords. For more information about privacy in Chrome, check out our lesson on Chrome Privacy and Security.

Adding other users

If you use a family computer, you may want to add other accounts to Chrome, which will allow everyone to access their personal settings and information.

To add other accounts to Chrome:

1. Click the Chrome menu in the top-right corner of the browser, then select Settings from the drop-down menu.
   Opening Chrome Settings
2. The Settings tab will appear. Locate and select Add new user.
   Adding a new user
3. A sign-in form will open in a new window. Enter the new user's Google user name and password, then click Sign in.
   Signing in to another account
4. The new account will appear in the user list. Both users will be assigned a name and user icon. You can always see who is signed in by looking at the user icon in the top-left corner of the browser.
   Viewing the list of current users in Chrome
5. Click the Edit button to change a user's name and icon. 
   Clicking the Edit... button
6. A dialog box will appear. Enter a name, select an icon, then click OK.
   Editing a user name and icon
7. To switch users, click the user icon, then select the desired account from the drop-down menu.
   Switching users
8. A new window will open for that user, with the user icon visible in the top-left corner.
   The new user window

Chrome for mobile devices

Chrome can also be used as a web browser on mobile devices. Available for both iOS and Android, the Chrome app allows you to browse the Web, open multiple tabs, conduct searches, and more. You'll even have the option to sign in to Chrome on your mobile device, allowing you to sync bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and settings across all of your devices.

Installing Chrome on an iPhone

Viewing multiple tabs in Chrome for iPhone