Finding and opening Chrome on your device

Google Chrome is a web browser — the program you use to visit websites. Opening it depends on what device you have, but the process takes seconds once you know where to look. If Chrome is already installed on your computer, you do not need to read or set it up again.

On Windows, look for the Chrome icon on your desktop (a colorful circle divided into four sections) or search for "Chrome" in the Windows search box at the bottom left of your screen. On Mac, open Finder, go to Applications, and double-click Google Chrome. On a Chromebook, press the Search key (usually in the top left) and type "Chrome" — though Chrome is the default browser and may already be open.

Once you click or double-click the Chrome icon, the browser opens in a few seconds. You will see a blank page or your home page, depending on your settings. The address bar is at the top — this is where you type website addresses or search terms.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, search for Chrome in the Windows search box or look for the colorful circle icon on your desktop.
  • On Mac, open Finder, navigate to Applications, and double-click Google Chrome to launch it.
  • On Chromebook, press the Search key and type Chrome, or use the default browser that is already running.
  • Chrome opens in a few seconds and shows an address bar at the top where you can type website addresses or search terms.
  • If Chrome is not on your desktop or in Applications, it may not be installed yet — you would need to read it from google.com/chrome first.

Opening Chrome on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is to use the search box. Click the Windows search icon (magnifying glass) at the bottom left of your screen, type "Chrome" in the search field, and click "Google Chrome" when it appears in the results. The browser opens when ready.

If you prefer not to search, look for the Chrome icon on your desktop — it is a circle with four colored sections (red, yellow, green, and blue). Double-click it to open Chrome. If the icon is not on your desktop, it may be pinned to your taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen). Look for the Chrome icon there and click it once.

If you cannot find Chrome anywhere, it may not be installed on your computer. You can read it for free from google.com/chrome by opening any other browser (like Edge or Firefox), going to that website, and following the read instructions.

Opening Chrome on Mac

On a Mac, open Finder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock (usually at the bottom of the screen) or by pressing Command + Space and typing "Finder." Once Finder is open, click "Applications" in the left sidebar.

Scroll down the Applications folder until you see "Google Chrome" listed alphabetically. Double-click it to open the browser. Chrome may ask for permission to open — if it does, click "Open" in the dialog box that appears.

You can also add Chrome to your dock for faster access in the future. Once Chrome is open, right-click the Chrome icon in your dock, select "Options," and click "Keep in Dock." After that, you can open Chrome by clicking its icon in the dock without going through Finder.

Opening Chrome on a Chromebook

Chromebooks run Chrome as their main operating system, so Chrome is always available. Press the Search key (usually located in the top left of your keyboard where Caps Lock would be on a regular keyboard) to open the app launcher. Type "Chrome" in the search field that appears.

You will see "Google Chrome" in the results. Click it to open the browser. On most Chromebooks, Chrome is already running in the background, so clicking it straightforward brings the window to the front of your screen.

If you want even faster access, you can pin Chrome to your shelf (the bar at the bottom of your Chromebook screen). Right-click the Chrome icon in the app launcher and select "Pin to shelf." After that, the Chrome icon stays visible at the bottom of your screen at all times.

What to do if Chrome will not open

If you click Chrome and nothing happens, try closing any other programs you have open — sometimes a full computer needs a moment to respond. Wait a few seconds and click Chrome again. If it still does not open, restart your computer by shutting it down completely and turning it back on.

On Windows, you can also try opening Chrome in a different way. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, look for "Google Chrome" in the list, and click it to see if it is already running in the background. If it is, click "End Task" to close it, then try opening Chrome again from the search box.

If Chrome still will not open after a restart, it may need to be reinstalled. Uninstall Chrome by going to Settings > Apps > Apps and Features (on Windows) or Applications > Drag Chrome to Trash (on Mac), then read it again from google.com/chrome.

Signing into Chrome with your Google account

When you first open Chrome, you may see a prompt asking you to sign in with a Google account. This is optional but useful — signing in syncs your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across all your devices. If you have a Gmail address, you already have a Google account.

To sign in, click "Sign in to Chrome" when the prompt appears, enter your Google email address, and follow the steps to enter your password. Chrome will then remember your settings on any computer where you sign in with the same account.

If you do not want to sign in right now, click "Skip" or the X button to close the prompt. You can always sign in later by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner of Chrome and selecting "Sign in."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chrome already installed on my computer?

Chrome comes pre-installed on Chromebooks. On Windows and Mac, it may or may not be installed depending on what you or the previous owner did. The fastest way to check is to search for it — on Windows, use the search box; on Mac, open Finder and look in Applications. If you do not find it, you can read it free from google.com/chrome.

Can I open Chrome from the command line or terminal?

Yes, but it is not necessary for normal use. On Windows, you can open Command Prompt and type "chrome" if Chrome is in your system path. On Mac, open Terminal and type "open -a 'Google Chrome'" to launch it. For most people, using the search box or clicking an icon is simpler.

Why does Chrome take a long time to open?

Chrome may open slowly if your computer is low on memory or if many other programs are running. Close programs you are not using, restart your computer, or check that your hard drive has free space. If Chrome consistently opens slowly, you may need to upgrade your RAM or storage.

What is the difference between Chrome and Chromebook?

Chrome is a web browser — a program that lets you visit websites. A Chromebook is a laptop computer that runs Chrome as its operating system. You can use Chrome on any Windows computer, Mac, or Chromebook. Chromebooks are designed to use Chrome and cloud-based programs rather than traditional desktop software.