allow ’s front it , the scant - and - tight Google Chrome web web browser is the only way to surf the web - no query . But whether you ’re new to the web web browser or an sure-enough veteran , we ’ve get some deception to improve your mileage . Our Google Chrome Optimization Guide will show you which Google Chrome extensions to download and ways to tweak configurations you did n’t even cognize were there .
Take a Shortcut
Before we dive in to Chrome ’s many concealed jewel , let ’s take up with some basics ( run before you take the air , as they say ) . Just like in Windows , crosscut can save you a ton of metre in Chrome , as well as having to constantly reach for the mouse to perform menial tasks such as spread new tabs . Memorize these handy shortcuts and you ’ll be well on your fashion to overcome Chrome :
Ctrl+N : Opens a young window .
Ctrl+T : Opens a new tab key .
Ctrl+Shift+N : : Opens a unexampled window in incognito style so you may , uh , store birthday gifts on the sly . Yeah , that ’s what this is used for , right ?
Ctrl+Shift+T : Resurrects the last tab key you just send to the graveyard . you could reopen the last 10 tab you closed .
Alt+F or Alt+E : Opens the Chrome menu .
Ctrl+Shift+B : toggle the bookmarks legal community on and off .
Ctrl+H : Opens the History page .
Ctrl+J : Opens the Downloads Thomas Nelson Page .
Shift+Esc : Opens Chrome ’s Task Manager , so you’re able to see which tab are using the most resource , potentially slow down down carrying into action .
These are just some of the many , many Window keyboard , Google Chrome feature , address legal community , webpage , and textbook shortcutsavailable in Chrome . If you spend a few instant each day learning a couple of new shortcuts , it wo n’t be long until you ’ve commit them all to memory .
Now , onto the play stuff …
Enable Chrome’s Gold Icon
Vinyl decals wo n’t make your Honda Civic go any faster than it ’s already capable of going , and by that same token , replacing Chrome ’s icon with the hidden Gold version does n’t offer anything other than an aesthetic modification . Be that as it may , it ’s extremely well-heeled to lend a little bling :
Right - click Google Chrome ’s shortcut and choose Properties
Select the Shortcut tab and flick Change Icon …
opt the Gold ikon and military press OK , then utilize the modification
After you switch the icon , sit back and languish in the green-eyed monster of your co - workers !
Get Freaky with Favicons!
One reasonableness to utilize Chrome is because it pop the question a clean and clutter - destitute interface , a fact that ’s not lose on competing internet browser makers who ’ve attempted to emulate the look and feel of Chrome . Even still , there ’s room for improvement . One way of life to simplify Chrome ’s user interface even further is to only employ Favicons in the bookmarks Browning automatic rifle .
First , verify the bookmarks bar is enable . If it is n’t , crusade Ctrl+Shift+B to toggle it on , or press the Menu button denoted by three lines in the upper right - hand box ( antecedently the Wrench image ) , expand the Bookmarks option , and blue-ribbon Show bookmarks bar .
Now that you could see the Bookmarks bar , go through your bookmarks and delete the text of survive ones , and do the same when summate a new bookmark . What you ’ll be left with is a bunch of Favicons , which not only looks cleaner , but it write space too . Pretty great , is n’t it ?
Home Sweet Homepages
Why finalize for a single home page when you may own two , three , or even a 12 ? Or more ! We ’re creatures of habit , and if you ’re like us , you have a selection of websites you chitchat every fourth dimension you fire up your web internet browser . In Chrome , it ’s easy to configure multiple homepages . Just go to Menu > options and choose the ‘ Open a specific page or set of pages ’ radio button . Click the Set pages hyperlink and start type in your go - to websites .
Fool Your Friends with Fake Edits
It ’s not squeamish to prank your friends and family unit , but it can be screaming , not to mention fantastically easily in Google Chrome . permit ’s say you want to convince your cobalt - worker that AMD just purchased Intel for a bare $ 35 million ( as if ! ) . adulterate up a reliable website for tech news , likeMaximumPC.com , right - click an article ’s headline , and select Inspect Element . This will institute up a developer console table in the low part of the web browser where you’re able to delete the webpage topically . Change the headline , and if you want to go all out , do the same for the thumbnail image and even the article text . Close out the developer console and all that ’s left is a fake newsworthiness history on a legitimate website !
Of course , there are practical uses for the developer console that do n’t include pranking your buddies . It ’s a neat style to inspect various web code and analyze HTML parse errors to ensure a clean web site .
Command Chrome Like a Boss
Google Chrome is aconstant work in progression , and often times the developers will incapacitate sealed affair that might not be ready for quality fourth dimension for one grounds or another . If you want to see what they are , and even enable them , type Chrome://flags in the address bar ( Omnibar ) and stumble Enter . Bear in mind that they ’ve all been disabled for a reason , and enable one could break in your web internet browser .
Another one of our favourite commands is Chrome://memory , which shows not only how much remembering Chrome is consuming , but also other browsers melt on your system .
There are lots of other commands to play around with . eccentric Chrome://about to see a list of them .
Experiment on Canary and Leave Chrome Alone
If you ’re not feeling adventurous enough to tweak your stable Chrome build but still want to experiment , what you postulate isCanary . What ’s Canary , you ask ? It ’s the nightly body-build of Chrome specify for developers , so you may persist into fruity behaviour on occasion , but the neat thing is Canary can run alongside Chrome at the same time . Changes you make to the Canary browser app have no gist on Chrome , and frailty versa .
Split the Browser Window
The advent of tabbed browsing changed everything , but sometimes you may desire to see two webpages side - by - side . you may do that by get behind and splitting a tab from the main web web browser window so that it break away in a separate windowpane , but you may also split Chrome into a dual - position mode with a morsel of JavaScript magic .
Chrome Split View
Click the above hyperlink and case in the two webpages you want to view side - by - side in a single , neat windowpane . It ’s an loose elbow room to liken prices between two online trafficker , search result from two unlike engines , or keep track of unlike sport , among other uses .
Create a Separate Account for Little Billy
It was n’t all that long ago when creating separate profiles for multiple Chrome users was slenderly complicated and postulate mucking around Windows leaflet , copying contents , and do other task . These days it ’s as simple as hold out into preferences and clicking the Add new user push button under the Users section .
create a separate Chrome bill is a ready to hand way to keep little Billy ’s internet browser preferences disjoined from yours , and also reserve you both to sync your Google explanation on the same PC . What it does n’t do is secure your data from prying eye , so regard this more of a public lavatory than a security system setting .
To switch over between multiple user , flick the ikon in the upper remaining - deal corner and choose the appropriate profile . Alternately , you’re able to press Ctrl+Shift+M to switch between accounts .
Extensions, Extensions, Extensions
Still the salutary way to customise Chrome to your liking is with Extensions , and long go are the solar day when this was a reason to cling to Firefox . Chrome ’s extension have grow in number and functionality , and there are mountain of good one out there . Some of our favorite let in :
Awesome New Tab Page : Do you be intimate who ’s awe-inspiring ? You are , and that ’s why you need Awesome New Tab Page . In a word , it ’s ‘ awesome ’ . Yes , it looks a little like Metro , or whatever Microsoft is call the funky UI in Windows 8 these days , but instead of dominating your screen background , it simply spices up Chrome with a highly customizable interface that display a series of widgets and links .
Buffer : Are you addicted to Twitter , Facebook , Google Reader , Reddiit , or Hacker News ? Then for the love of all that is holy , do your follower a favor and instal Buffer , which will circularise your deluge of tweet and messages out over metre . It ’s an light way to stay societal , and also the nice affair to do .
Too Many lozenge : There ’s no shame in being a pill - aholic , nor is there in admitting you need help . That ’s exactly what Too Many Tabs does — it helps you sort through your bazillion open tabs and find the one you ’re looking for .
Print Friendly & PDF : If you impress out a destiny of webpages , this is a must - have extension . It allows you to foray out unnecessary items , like ads and other substance and wasted space that takes up paper or ink .
Pacman : In the erstwhile years of calculation , you slacked off by playing Minesweeper or Solitaire . Maybe you remember playing SkiFree . There are better time wasters out there , and one of them is Pacman . which is useable to act properly in your Chrome web internet browser with those familiar sound that used to cost a tail to get a line .
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