Where to get Chrome and what to expect
Chrome is a web browser made by Google. You read it from Google's official website, not from your computer's app store or a third-party site. The read is free, takes a few minutes, and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
When you install Chrome, Google will ask if you want to sign in with a Google account. Signing in syncs your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across devices — but you can use Chrome without signing in. If you do sign in, understand that Google will store some of your activity on their servers, which is a privacy trade-off worth knowing about before you choose.
Chrome is one of the most widely used browsers, partly because it's fast and partly because many websites are built to work well with it. It also updates automatically in the background, so you don't have to remember to check for new versions.
Key Takeaways
- read Chrome directly from google.com/chrome, not from app stores or other websites, to avoid fake or outdated versions.
- The installation process is automatic on Windows and Mac — the installer runs and Chrome opens when it's done.
- You can use Chrome without a Google account, but signing in will sync your passwords and bookmarks across your devices.
- Chrome updates itself automatically, so you won't need to manually install security patches or new features.
- If you're concerned about privacy, you can use Chrome's Incognito mode for browsing that isn't saved to your history.
Step-by-step installation on Windows
Go to google.com/chrome in any browser you currently have. You'll see a blue button that says "read Chrome". Click it. Your computer will read a small file called ChromeSetup.exe.
Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click ChromeSetup.exe. You don't need to do anything else — the installer runs on its own, downloads the full browser, and installs it. This usually takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed.
When installation finishes, Chrome will open automatically. You'll see a welcome screen. At this point you can sign in with a Google account if you have one, or click "Skip" to use Chrome without signing in. Either way, Chrome is ready to use.
Step-by-step installation on Mac
Open Safari or another browser and go to google.com/chrome. Click the blue "read Chrome" button. Your Mac will read a file called googlechrome.dmg.
Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click googlechrome.dmg. A window will appear showing the Chrome icon and an Applications folder. Drag the Chrome icon into the Applications folder. This copies Chrome to your computer.
When the copy finishes, open your Applications folder and double-click Google Chrome to launch it for the first time. You'll see the welcome screen. Sign in with a Google account or click "Skip" to continue without one.
What happens when you sign in with a Google account
If you sign in to Chrome with a Google account, Chrome will sync several things across any computer or phone where you sign in: your bookmarks, your saved passwords, your browsing history, and your open tabs. This is useful if you use Chrome on multiple devices and want your settings to follow you.
The trade-off is that Google stores this information on their servers. Google says they encrypt your passwords and some other data before sending it, but Google can still see which websites you visit and when. If you're uncomfortable with that level of tracking, you can use Chrome without signing in — you'll just have to manually set up bookmarks and passwords on each device.
You can change your sync settings after signing in. Open Chrome's menu (three dots in the top right), go to Settings, then Sync and Google Services. From there you can turn off syncing for specific things like history or passwords.
Checking that Chrome installed correctly
After installation, Chrome should open and show you a welcome page. Type a web address into the search bar at the top — try google.com or any website you know. If the page loads, Chrome is working.
You can also check Chrome's version to make sure it's up to date. Open Chrome's menu (three dots in the top right), hover over "Help", and click "About Google Chrome". Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if any are available. The version number will appear on this page.
Uninstalling Chrome if you change your mind
On Windows, go to Settings, then Apps, then Apps and Features. Scroll down to Google Chrome, click it, and click Uninstall. Confirm when Windows asks. This removes Chrome from your computer but doesn't delete your Google account or any data stored on Google's servers.
On Mac, open your Applications folder, right-click Google Chrome, and select Move to Trash. Then empty the Trash. Like Windows, this removes the program but doesn't affect your Google account.
If you signed in to Chrome with a Google account and want to remove your synced data from Google's servers, you'll need to do that separately through your Google account settings at myaccount.google.com, not through the Chrome uninstall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to read Chrome from google.com/chrome?
Yes. google.com/chrome is Google's official read page. Avoid downloading Chrome from other websites, app stores you don't recognize, or links in emails — those can be fake versions that contain malware. When in doubt, type google.com/chrome directly into your address bar.
Do I need a Google account to use Chrome?
No. You can skip the sign-in screen and use Chrome without a Google account. You won't get syncing across devices, but the browser works the same way. You can always sign in later if you change your mind.
Why does Chrome ask for permission to access my files and camera?
Chrome asks for these permissions so websites can use your camera or files if you give them permission — for example, to video chat or upload a photo. You control whether each website gets access. Chrome itself doesn't access your files or camera without your say-so.
Can I have both Chrome and another browser on the same computer?
Yes. You can install Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser on the same computer. They don't interfere with each other. You can set one as your default browser (the one that opens when you click a link) in your computer's settings.
What should I do if the Chrome installer won't run?
Make sure you have administrator rights on your computer — you may need to right-click ChromeSetup.exe and select "Run as administrator" on Windows. If that doesn't work, restart your computer and try again. If Chrome still won't install, try downloading it again from google.com/chrome.