How to Downgrade Google Chrome to an Older Version

Downgrading Google Chrome can restore a feature you miss, fix a compatibility issue with a website or extension, or undo a version that introduced problems. This guide walks you through uninstalling your current Chrome and installing a specific older version on Windows, macOS, or Linux. You’ll need to back up your bookmarks and passwords first, because the process removes your profile data unless you take a few precautions.

What You’ll Need

• A stable internet connection.
• Administrator access to your computer (to install software).
• The exact version number you want to install (e.g., 120.0.6099.109).
• A trusted source for the older installer (see Tips).
• Your Google account password, if you use Chrome sync.

Step-by-Step

1. Back up your Chrome data. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to Bookmarks > Bookmark manager, then click the three-dot icon and choose Export bookmarks. Save the HTML file somewhere safe. For passwords, go to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Google Password Manager, then click the gear icon and choose Export passwords. You’ll need to enter your system password to confirm.
2. Sync your data (optional but recommended). If you use Chrome sync, go to Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services and make sure sync is turned on. This will restore your bookmarks, passwords, and settings after downgrading, as long as you log in with the same Google account.
3. Uninstall Chrome. Close all Chrome windows. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, select Google Chrome, and click Uninstall. On macOS, drag the Chrome application from the Applications folder to the Trash. On Linux, use your package manager (e.g., sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable).
4. Delete leftover Chrome folders. After uninstalling, remove the user data folder to avoid conflicts. On Windows, delete C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome and C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data. On macOS, delete ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome and ~/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome. On Linux, delete ~/.config/google-chrome and ~/.cache/google-chrome. This step is critical – leftover files from a newer version can cause the older version to crash.
5. Download the older Chrome installer. Go to a reputable archive site (see Tips for a safe approach). Download the installer that matches your operating system and the version number you chose. Make sure you select the correct architecture (32-bit vs 64-bit) for your system.
6. Install the older version. Run the downloaded installer. Follow the on-screen prompts. On Windows, you may need to accept a UAC prompt. On macOS, drag the Chrome icon into the Applications folder. On Linux, use your package manager to install the downloaded .deb or .rpm file.
7. Disable automatic updates. Chrome updates itself automatically by default. To keep the older version, you must disable updates. On Windows, you can do this by renaming the GoogleUpdate.exe file in C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update to something like GoogleUpdate.exe.bak. On macOS, run the following command in Terminal: defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval 0. On Linux, the method depends on your package manager – you may need to hold the package version (e.g., sudo apt-mark hold google-chrome-stable).
8. Restore your data. Open the older Chrome and log in with your Google account to sync your data. If you exported bookmarks, you can import them via Bookmarks > Import bookmarks and settings > Choose file.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the backup. If you don’t export or sync, you’ll lose all bookmarks and passwords.
• Not deleting the user data folder. Leftover files from a newer version can cause the older version to crash or behave erratically.
• Installing the wrong architecture. Downloading a 64-bit installer on a 32-bit system (or vice versa) will fail.
• Forgetting to disable updates. Chrome will update within a few hours, undoing your downgrade.
• Using an untrusted download source. Many third-party sites bundle malware with old installers.

Tips

• Use the official Chrome release blog. Google publishes every version’s download links in its release notes. Search for “Chrome Releases” and find the version you want – there’s usually a direct link to the installer.
• Check version compatibility. Extensions and some websites may not work on older Chrome versions. Test your critical extensions after downgrading.
• Consider using Chrome for Enterprise. If you need a stable, older version for a long time, the enterprise channel offers longer support and controlled updates.
• Keep a copy of the installer. Store the old installer in a safe place so you can reinstall it without searching again.
• Use a separate profile. If you only need an older version for one site, try running Chrome with a separate user-data-dir instead of downgrading your main browser.

Troubleshooting

Chrome won’t start after downgrade. This usually means leftover data is incompatible. Uninstall Chrome again, delete the user data folder, and reinstall the older version. If it still fails, try a different older version – sometimes the version you chose is too old to work with your system.

Chrome updates itself anyway. On Windows, check that you renamed the correct GoogleUpdate.exe file. On macOS, verify the defaults command was accepted (run defaults read com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval – it should show 0). On Linux, confirm the package is held.

Passwords won’t sync. Older Chrome versions may not support newer sync protocols. If sync fails, import the CSV file you exported earlier. Go to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Google Password Manager > Import and select the file.

Extensions are disabled. Chrome disables extensions that are incompatible with the older version. Visit the Chrome Web Store and reinstall the ones you need – look for versions that support your Chrome version.

Websites show errors. Some sites use features only available in newer Chrome. You may need to use a different browser for those sites, or accept that the downgrade will break them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my bookmarks and passwords? If you sync or export them before downgrading, you can restore them. If you don’t, they will be deleted when you remove the user data folder.

Can I downgrade without uninstalling? No, you must uninstall the current version first. Installing an older version over a newer one will not work.

Is it safe to download old Chrome from third-party sites? It’s risky. Malware is common in such downloads. Prefer official Google release notes or well-known archives like FileHorse or Uptodown, but always scan with antivirus software.

How do I stop Chrome from updating permanently? The methods in Step 7 are the most reliable. On Windows, you can also block the Google Update service via Task Manager or Group Policy, but renaming the executable is simplest.

Will my extensions work? Most extensions support several major versions back, but some may break. Check each extension’s compatibility before relying on it.

Can I go back to the latest version later? Yes, simply download the latest Chrome from google.com/chrome and install it over the older version. Your data will be preserved.

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