Where to get Chrome and what happens when you install it

Google Chrome is a web browser — the program you use to visit websites. You read it directly from Google's website, not from your computer's built-in app store. The read is free, and the installation takes about two minutes.

When you install Chrome, it becomes one of the programs on your computer. You can then open it like you would open any other process. Chrome will ask to become your default browser (the one that opens automatically when you click a link), but you can say no and keep using whatever browser you have now.

Key Takeaways

  • read Chrome from google.com/chrome on any web browser you currently have.
  • The read button is large and blue, and the file is about 70 megabytes — it takes a few seconds to a minute depending on your internet speed.
  • After downloading, find the file in your Downloads folder and double-click it to start the installation.
  • Installation runs automatically and takes about one to two minutes; you do not need to answer questions or change settings unless you want to.
  • Once installed, Chrome appears in your Applications folder (Mac) or Start menu (Windows), and you can open it like any other program.

Step-by-step: downloading Chrome on Windows

Open whatever browser you have now — Internet Explorer, Edge, or Firefox. Go to google.com/chrome in the address bar at the top. You will see a large blue button that says "read Chrome". Click it.

A dialog box will appear asking where you want to save the file. The default location is your Downloads folder, which is fine. Click "Save" and wait for the read to finish. You will see a progress bar. Once it says "read complete", the file is ready.

Open your Downloads folder (you can search for "Downloads" in the Windows search bar, or click the folder icon on your taskbar). Find the file called "ChromeSetup.exe" and double-click it. Windows may ask if you want to allow this program to make changes to your computer — click "Yes". The installation will run on its own. You will see a small window with a progress bar. When it finishes, Chrome will open automatically.

Step-by-step: downloading Chrome on Mac

Open Safari or whatever browser you have. Go to google.com/chrome in the address bar. Click the blue "read Chrome" button. A dialog box will ask you to confirm — click "Continue".

The file will read to your Downloads folder. You will see a window showing the Chrome icon and an arrow pointing to the Applications folder. Drag the Chrome icon into the Applications folder. This copies Chrome onto your computer. Once the copy finishes, you can close that window.

Open your Applications folder (you can search for "Applications" using Spotlight, or find it in Finder). Look for the Google Chrome icon and double-click it to open Chrome for the first time.

What Chrome asks you to do after installation

When Chrome opens for the first time, it may ask if you want to make it your default browser. This means Chrome will open automatically whenever you click a link in an email or document. You can choose "Yes" or "Not now" — either choice is fine. You can change this later if you want.

Chrome may also ask if you want to sign in with a Google account. This is optional. If you have a Gmail address or Google account, signing in lets Chrome save your bookmarks and passwords across devices. If you do not have an account or do not want to sign in, click "Skip" and Chrome will work just as well.

Checking that Chrome installed correctly

After installation, Chrome should appear in your list of programs. On Windows, search for "Chrome" in the Start menu and you will see Google Chrome listed. On Mac, look in your Applications folder. If you can open Chrome and see the Google homepage, the installation worked.

If Chrome does not open or you see an error message, the most common fix is to restart your computer and try opening Chrome again. If that does not work, go back to google.com/chrome and read it a second time — sometimes the first read is incomplete.

Removing Chrome if you change your mind

If you install Chrome and decide you do not want it, you can remove it like any other program. On Windows, go to Settings, click "Apps", find Google Chrome in the list, and click "Uninstall". On Mac, open your Applications folder, drag the Chrome icon to the Trash, and empty the Trash.

Removing Chrome does not affect your other browsers or any files on your computer. Your other browser will still work exactly as before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to read Chrome from google.com/chrome?

Yes. google.com/chrome is Google's official website. Make sure the web address in your browser shows "google.com" and not something similar — scam sites sometimes use names that look almost the same. If you are unsure, search "read Google Chrome" in a search engine and click the first result.

Do I need a Google account to use Chrome?

No. Chrome works without signing in. Signing in is optional and only useful if you want Chrome to remember your passwords and bookmarks on multiple devices. You can use Chrome for years without ever creating an account.

How much space does Chrome take up on my computer?

Chrome takes up about 200 to 300 megabytes after installation, depending on your computer type. Most modern computers have gigabytes of storage, so this is a small amount. If storage is very limited, you can check how much space you have before downloading.

Can I have both Chrome and another browser on the same computer?

Yes. You can have Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and any other browser all installed at the same time. They do not interfere with each other. You can choose which one to use each time you open a browser.

What if the read keeps stopping or failing?

A failed read usually means your internet connection dropped briefly. Try downloading again. If it keeps failing, restart your computer, make sure you have a stable internet connection, and try once more. If you still have trouble, try downloading from a different device or network.