How to Use Google Chrome

Guide Note This guide will explain how to use Google Chrome, the new web browser that provides a faster and safer Internet experience.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Download and Install
• Step 2: Start Page
• Step 3: Using the Omnibox
• Step 4: Safety and Privacy
• Step 5: Additional Features
• Conclusion
• References

How to Use Google Chrome Tips

1. Download and install Chrome.
2. Its default start page shows your most recent and popular activity.
3. Use the omnibox to search for popular sites, terms, and your favorite pages.
4. Take advantage of Chrome's special privacy and safety features, such as incognito mode.
5. Instantly bookmark by clicking on the star button.
6. Get rid of unnecessary browser features by using the application shortcut.

Newest How To Guides

Tips on dealing with difficult people

Great ideas for mixed drinks

Beat the cold of winter by making the perfect cup of hot chocolate

Need to save money? Learn how to spend less on food

All the information you need to make the digital TV switch

• by Lynn Truong

Introduction

• Google Chrome is a new browser developed by Google. It offers a sleek browser that runs more efficiently to create a faster and safer web experience for Internet users.¹

Step 1: Download and Install

• To start using Chrome, download and install the browser.

(Creative Commons photo by Luca Mascaro)

1. Go to the Google Chrome homepage and click the download button. It is currently only available for Windows operating systems (including XP and Vista).¹
2. Read and accept the Terms of Service.
3. The Google Chrome installer will automatically start and install the browser.
4. A window will pop up to confirm that installation was completed.
5. Click the button "Start Google Chrome"
6. If you are currently running Firefox, a popup will appear that says it cannot import data from Firefox while it is open.
   • You can choose to close Firefox and click "continue."
   • Or you can click on "skip import."

Step 2: Start Page

• Google has created a different sort of start page for Chrome.²

1. When you start Chrome, Chrome's default start page will appear.³
2. One the main area, it shows your nine most visited pages.³
3. On the right sidebar, you'll see search sites that you often use, as well as recent bookmarks and closed tabs.³
4. You can also access this start page by starting a new tab.³
5. A new tab can be opened by click on the "+" icon at the very top of the browser.³

Step 3: Using the Omnibox

• Chrome's address bar is called the "omnibox" because you can do more with it than just entering a URL.²

1. Start typing in the omnibox and it will reveal helpful options:³
   • Search suggestions
   • Popular sites
   • Pages you've visited

(Creative Commons photo by Raju Tavadia)

1. It remembers your search history. If you found a good place for digital cameras, type "digital cameras" and find that same page quickly.²
2. It auto-completes what you've explicitly typed before. ²
   1. For example, say you often type in "cnn.com."
   2. Next time, type "c" and hit "enter" to go to cnn.com.
   3. Other browsers might bring up the last page you viewed on cnn.com, which may be an old article or subsection.
   4. This feature brings you directly to cnn.com.
3. It remembers search engines you frequently use. Just start typing the name and hit "tab." ²
   1. For example, say you often go to amazon.com and use its search feature.
   2. Next time you want to search through Amazon, just type "a" and hit "tab."
   3. You'll still be in the omnibox. Type your search terms and hit "enter" to search.
   4. Amazon's result page will load.

Step 4: Safety and Privacy

• Chrome has features to create a safer and more secure web browsing experience.²

1. Chrome offers a privacy mode called Incognito.²
   1. Go to the page menu and select on new incognito window.³
   2. A new window will open in incognito mode. ³
   3. Nothing from the session will be saved on your computer after you close the window.³
2. If you're about to enter a website that is suspected of malware or phishing, Chrome will show a warning message.³
3. Popups are confined before ever showing up on your screen. If it is a popup you want, you can access it at the bottom of the screen.²
4. Chrome uses sandboxing to prevent outside access to sensitive information or programs from writing to your hard drive without your permission.²

Step 5: Additional Features

• There are a few additional features available in Chrome.

(Creative Commons photo by Pascal H)

1. You can create application shortcuts to launch a streamlined Chrome window.³
   1. Go to the page menu.
   2. Select "create application shortcuts."
   3. Choose where to create the shortcuts.
   4. Double click the shortcut to open directly to the site.
   5. The streamlined window removes the omnibox, bookmarks bar, and Chrome options.²
2. The tabs are dynamic, and can be reordered or moved into its own window, and rejoined to a window.³
3. Instantly bookmark by hitting the star button in next to the omnibox.³
4. Downloads are safer and easier by loading the file within the window.³
   1. When you start a download, you'll see it at the bottom of your window.
   2. Move it to your desktop or click on it to open.

Conclusion

• Google Chrome is still in beta release and may have a few bugs to work out, but overall it's a lightweight browser designed for the latest web designs and tools. It addresses the memory leak problems of other browsers by building a browser from the ground up, using innovative technology.²

References for How to Use Google Chrome

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Google Chrome (BETA) for Windows
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10} Google Chrome book
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13} Google Chrome features