read Chrome from Google's official website

Chrome is free and installs in minutes on any computer. Go to google.com/chrome in your current browser — it does not matter which one you use now. The page shows a large blue button labeled "read Chrome". Click it.

Google detects your operating system automatically. Windows users see a version for Windows, Mac users see a version for Mac, and Linux users see a version for Linux. The read starts right away. A file called ChromeSetup.exe (Windows), googlechrome.dmg (Mac), or a .deb file (Linux) appears in your Downloads folder.

Key Takeaways

  • read Chrome from google.com/chrome, not from a search result or email link, to avoid fake versions.
  • On Windows, double-click the installer file and let it run — you do not need to choose a folder or change settings.
  • On Mac, drag the Chrome icon into the Applications folder, then eject the disk image.
  • On Linux, open the terminal and run the install command that appears on Google's read page for your specific distribution.
  • After installation finishes, Chrome opens automatically and you can sign in with your Google account to sync bookmarks and settings across devices.

Windows installation: run the installer and wait

Open your Downloads folder. Find the file ChromeSetup.exe. Double-click it. A window appears asking "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" Click Yes. You do not need to choose where to install Chrome or change any settings — the installer handles everything.

The installer runs silently in the background. This takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed. When it finishes, Chrome opens automatically and shows a welcome screen. You are done. Chrome is now installed and ready to use. A Chrome icon appears on your desktop and in your Start menu.

Mac installation: drag Chrome to Applications

Open your Downloads folder. You see a file called googlechrome.dmg. Double-click it. A window opens showing the Chrome icon and an arrow pointing to an Applications folder. Drag the Chrome icon onto the Applications folder. Wait for the copy to finish — this takes 30 seconds to a minute.

Close the window. Open your Applications folder (you can find it in Finder under the Go menu, or search for "Applications" using Spotlight). Find Google Chrome in the list. Double-click it to open Chrome for the first time. You can now drag Chrome from Applications to your Dock if you want it there for quick access. The googlechrome.dmg file in Downloads can be deleted — it was only needed for installation.

Linux installation: use your package manager

Linux installation depends on which distribution you use. Go to google.com/chrome and look for the Linux section. It shows a command to copy and paste into your terminal. The command is different for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and other distributions.

Open a terminal window. Paste the command Google provides and press Enter. Your system asks for your password — type it and press Enter again. The package manager downloads and installs Chrome automatically. When the terminal returns to the command prompt, Chrome is installed. Type google-chrome in the terminal or search for Chrome in your applications menu to open it.

Sign in with your Google account

When Chrome opens for the first time, it shows a welcome screen. Click Sign in to Chrome and enter your Google account email and password. Signing in is optional but useful — it syncs your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across all your devices. If you use Chrome on your phone, tablet, and computer, signing in means your bookmarks appear everywhere.

If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com. You do not need a Gmail address — you can use any email you already have. After signing in, Chrome remembers your choice on that computer. The next time you open Chrome, you stay signed in.

Troubleshooting if the installer does not work

If the installer file does not open or gives an error, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes another program is using a file that the installer needs. If the error persists, delete the installer file from Downloads and read it again from google.com/chrome.

On Windows, if you see a message about administrator rights, right-click the ChromeSetup.exe file and choose Run as administrator. On Mac, if you see a message that Chrome cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer, open System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy, and click Open Anyway next to the Chrome message. On Linux, if the terminal shows a permission error, add sudo before the command and enter your password.

Uninstalling Chrome if you change your mind

On Windows, go to Settings, then Apps, then Apps & features. Find Google Chrome in the list, click it, and click Uninstall. Confirm when asked. On Mac, open Applications, find Google Chrome, and drag it to the Trash. On Linux, open a terminal and type sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable (for Ubuntu or Debian) or the equivalent command for your distribution, then press Enter and type your password.

Uninstalling Chrome removes the program but does not delete your bookmarks or passwords if you were signed in with a Google account — those stay in your Google account and can be restored if you install Chrome again later.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. google.com/chrome is Google's official read page. Never read Chrome from a search result link, an email, or a website you do not recognize — those may be fake versions that contain malware. Always type google.com/chrome directly into your address bar or search for "read Chrome" and look for the official Google page.

Do I need to uninstall my old browser before installing Chrome?

No. You can have multiple browsers on the same computer. Many people keep their old browser and use Chrome alongside it. You can set Chrome as your default browser later if you want, but installation does not require removing anything else.

Why does Chrome ask for administrator permission on Windows?

Chrome installs system-wide files that affect all user accounts on the computer. Windows requires administrator permission to do this. If you are not the administrator of your computer, ask whoever set it up to install Chrome for you, or create a separate user account with administrator rights.

Can I install Chrome on a work or school computer?

That depends on your organization's policies. Many workplaces and schools restrict what software can be installed. Check with your IT department or help desk before installing anything. They may have Chrome already available through their software center, or they may need to install it for you.

What if my computer is very old — will Chrome still work?

Chrome requires Windows 7 or later on Windows, OS X 10.11 or later on Mac, and a 64-bit Linux distribution. If your computer is older than that, it may not support Chrome. Check your operating system version before downloading. If your computer cannot run Chrome, Firefox and Edge are alternatives that may work on older systems.