Chrome Browser Essentials
Objective:
Learn more about the features and functions of the Chrome Browser. This tutorial will guide you through the basics of the Chrome Web Experience on a desktop or laptop. Completing this tutorial will also be a valuable learning experience when using Chromebook.
Timeline to Complete:
The basics of this tutorial should take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Additional Chrome browser resources can be found in the learn more section of this document.
Sign in to Chrome on a Desktop or Laptop
Signing into Chrome is different than signing into your Google Account. Signing into Chrome on each device that you use is essential to improve the web experience.
1. Open the Chrome Browser and click on the small figure near the top right of the browser.
2. This will open a window, click
3. In the Sign in “Add your Google Account” sign in using your preferred Google Account email address and password.
4. Click “Sign in” and a new popup will ask you to “Link Data” or “Create New Profile”
5. If this is the first time you’ve signed into Chrome using your Google Account, click on “Create a new profile”. This will set up a new Chrome Profile on the device. If you have saved bookmarks, extensions, apps, and other Chrome preferences on a different device, then click on “Link data”
6. When you log into chrome on additional devices using your Google Account it is recommended that you click on “Link data”. When you are signed in to Chrome on different devices, you can choose what information will sync across them -- such as your apps, bookmarks, history, and extensions
7. After signing into Chrome you will see your name near the top right of the Chrome Window. You can left click on this to see who is logged in or add additional users.
Alternate Login Method
1. Left click on the Chrome menu (3 lines that look like a stack of pancakes) near the top right of the web browser.
2. The Chrome Sign-in is on the top of settings.
3. If you don’t see the sign-in at the top, then scroll down the menu and left click on “Settings” and scroll to the “People” section. Click on and follow the screen prompts.
Extra Resources about signing into Chrome:
Google Help: Multiple Chrome Profiles
Google Help: Why sign in to Chrome
Google Help: Sign out of Chrome
Default Browser
1. After signing into Chrome, click on the three lines on the top right hand corner of the screen. (Chrome Settings)
2. Scroll down and click on “Settings”
3. A new tab will open with your Chrome settings. Scroll down to Default Browser and click on “Make Google Chrome the default Browser”.
Google Chrome is now your default browser! Repeat this process on each computer you consistently use in order to make Chrome the default browser.
**As the computers update throughout the year, you may need to repeat the process.
NOTE: Once you make Chrome your default browser, every time you open up Internet Explorer, IE will ask you if you would like to make Internet Explorer your default browser.
Click the little arrow by the No and choose “Don’t ask me again.”
Setting Startup Pages
Chrome allows users to set one or more pages that open in different tabs on startup.
1. In the top-right corner of your window, click the Chrome menu
2. Select Settings.
3. Near the top is “On startup” with these the 3 options:
If you do not see the “On startup” scroll to the bottom and click on “Show advanced setting…”
5. To set specific tabs click on “Set pages” and a new window will open. Users can add as many pages as they would like to open on startup. Click OK when finished.
Setting the Homepage
Your homepage shows when you click the Home button, which you can add to your browser toolbar. Follow the steps below to add the Home button and choose a homepage:
1. In the top-right corner of your window, click the Chrome menu
2. Select Settings.
3. Under "Appearance," check the box Show Home button.
4. Below "Show Home button," click the link Change to choose your homepage.
The Home button will appear to the left of your address bar.
Incognito Window
This is a great way to allow someone else to quickly log into Google on your device without logging out of the Chrome.
1. To open an incognito window, left click on the Chrome menu (3 lines that look like a stack of pancakes) near the top right of the web browser.
2. In the dropdown, click New Incognito Window and start browsing. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+ Shift + N to bring up a new incognito window without entering the Chrome settings menu.
3. Learn more: Incognito Window
Bookmarks
1. To bookmark a webpage, click the star icon at the end of the address bar. It could look like this or .
You can also do one of the following to Bookmark a site:
- Go to the Chrome menu > Bookmarks > Bookmark This Page.
- Drag the lock or page icon from the URL into the bookmarks bar.
- Press Ctrl+D (Mac: ⌘-D).
2. Learn more about managing and organizing bookmarks across multiple devices: Manage Bookmarks
Omnibox
1. The URL bar in Chrome has many shortcuts and resources built in. You can search directly from the URL window. There are also many other quick shortcuts including a calculator, tab searches, and a conversion tool.
2. Watch this YouTube Clip to Learn about the omnibox: Chrome Omnibox Cool Features
3. Learn more about some great features connected to the url window: Synergyse Tips and Tricks for the Chrome Omnibox
Learn more
Search Google Drive from Chrome OmniBox
How to search in Chrome
Tabs
1. By right clicking on a tab in Chrome, you open a tab menu that allows you to manage and recover tabs. You can also pin tabs you use frequently, recover closed tabs, and rearrange the order of tabs.
2. A great feature is Reopen closed tab. If you accidentally close a group of tabs you were working on, you can use the Reopen closed tab feature to bring the all back.
3. Learn more: Chrome Tabs
Shortcut Keys
1. Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keyboard strokes and clicks that you can use to perform specific actions, such as taking a screenshot. Knowing some of the shortcuts listed below can help save you time.
If you are using a Chromebook you can also press Ctrl+Alt+? to see a map of these shortcuts directly on the screen.
2. Learn more:
Updating Google Chrome
On a personal laptop or desktop Chrome will typically update automatically, but in some circumstances you may need to manually update Chrome.
Learn how to manually update Chrome: Update Google Chrome
Clear History, Cookies, and Cache
- In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the Chrome menu
- Select History.
- Click the button Clear browsing data. A dialog will appear.
- From the drop-down menu, select how much history you want to delete. To clear your entire browsing history, select the beginning of time.
- Check the boxes for the data you want Chrome to clear, including “browsing history." Learn more about the types of browsing data you can delete
- Click the button Clear browsing data.
Chrome Flags
Chrome flags allow you to customize your Chrome Experience in a variety of ways. These are only for advanced users and it is recommended you find a YouTube video about an option before trying it.
Visit Chrome Flags from your chrome browser to see the options you can customize. Just type: chrome://flags/ in the omnibox.
Learn more:
8 Chrome Browser Tips - YouTube
ISTE 2013: Chrome Ninja Tips and Tricks
Secret Powers of the Chrome Address Bar
Google Chrome Ninja Tips and Tricks
Intro to Google Chrome - YouTube
50 Tips and Tricks for Chrome Power Users