Uninstall Chrome through your operating system

The fastest way to remove Chrome is through the same place you remove any program — your system's built-in uninstall tool. Chrome does not leave hidden files behind the way some programs do, so a standard uninstall removes it completely.

On Windows, open Settings, select Apps, then Apps & features. Scroll to find Google Chrome in the list, click it once, then click Uninstall. A confirmation window will appear — click Uninstall again. Windows will remove Chrome and all its folders within a few seconds.

On Mac, open Applications in Finder, locate Google Chrome, right-click it, and select Move to Bin. Then empty the Bin by right-clicking the Bin icon on your dock and selecting Empty Bin. Chrome is now gone from your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users should go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Chrome, and click Uninstall twice to remove it completely.
  • Mac users can drag Chrome from the Applications folder to the Bin, then empty the Bin to finish removal.
  • Chrome does not scatter files across your system like some programs, so the standard uninstall method removes everything.
  • If Chrome will not uninstall, close all Chrome windows first, or restart your computer and try again.
  • Removing Chrome does not affect other browsers or files you have saved — it only removes the program itself.

Close all Chrome windows before uninstalling

If you try to uninstall Chrome while it is still running, Windows or Mac may refuse or only partially remove it. Close every Chrome window and tab before you start the uninstall process. If you have multiple user accounts on your computer, make sure Chrome is closed in all of them.

If the uninstall button is greyed out or the process stalls, restart your computer and try again. A restart clears any locks that might be preventing removal.

What happens to your bookmarks and saved passwords

Uninstalling Chrome removes the program but not the data stored inside it. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history stay on your computer in a hidden folder. If you reinstall Chrome later and sign in with the same Google account, all that information returns automatically.

If you want to delete this data permanently before uninstalling, open Chrome, go to Settings, select Privacy and security, then Clear browsing data. Choose the time range (select All time to remove everything), check the boxes for the data you want to delete, and click Clear data. Then proceed with the uninstall.

Remove Chrome from your startup programs

Even after uninstalling, Chrome may still try to launch when you start your computer if it was set to open automatically. On Windows, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, click the Startup tab, find Google Chrome if it appears, right-click it, and select Disable. Restart your computer to confirm it no longer launches.

On Mac, go to System Settings, select General, then Login Items. Look for Google Chrome in the list and click the minus sign next to it to remove it.

Delete Chrome's leftover folders manually

Chrome stores some files in hidden system folders even after uninstall. These take up minimal space, but you can remove them if you want a completely clean system. On Windows, open File Explorer, click View at the top, then check the box for Hidden items. Navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local and look for a folder named Google — you can delete this entire folder.

On Mac, open Finder, press Command+Shift+Period to show hidden files, navigate to your home folder, then Library, then process Support. Look for a folder named Google and delete it. Press Command+Shift+Period again to hide hidden files when you are done.

Deleting these folders is optional — they do not affect your computer's performance, and Chrome will not reinstall them unless you install Chrome again.

Reinstall Chrome if you change your mind

If you decide you want Chrome back, you can read it again from google.com/chrome. The installation process is identical to the first time you installed it. When you sign in with your Google account, Chrome will restore your bookmarks, passwords, and settings from the backup Google keeps online.

You do not need to do anything special — Chrome automatically syncs with your account as soon as you sign in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing Chrome affect my other browsers?

No. Uninstalling Chrome does not touch Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser on your computer. Each browser is independent, and removing one does not change the others.

Can I uninstall Chrome if it is my default browser?

Yes. Windows and Mac will ask you to choose a new default browser when you uninstall Chrome, or you can change it yourself in Settings afterward. Your computer will not break if you uninstall your default browser.

What if the uninstall keeps failing?

Restart your computer first — this closes any Chrome processes still running in the background. If it still fails, try opening Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) and force-close any process with "Chrome" in the name, then try uninstalling again.

Do I lose my saved passwords when I uninstall Chrome?

Your passwords stay on your computer and in your Google account. If you reinstall Chrome and sign in, they return. If you want to delete them permanently, clear your browsing data before uninstalling.

How much space does Chrome take up?

Chrome typically uses 200 to 500 megabytes of space, depending on how many extensions you had installed and how much cache it accumulated. Removing it frees up that space, though the hidden folders left behind use only a few megabytes more.