How to Get the Old Chrome Back

If you’ve updated Google Chrome and miss the old look, this guide shows you how to restore the previous interface and behavior. You’ll learn how to switch back to the old tab strip, revert the new rounded design, and bring back familiar menus—all without losing your bookmarks or passwords.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows, Mac, or Linux computer with Google Chrome installed (version 69 or later).
• Administrator rights to your computer (to modify Chrome’s shortcut properties).
• About 5–10 minutes of your time.

Step-by-Step

1. Close Chrome completely. Make sure no Chrome windows are open. On Windows, check the system tray for a Chrome icon and right-click it, then choose “Exit.” On Mac, press Cmd+Q.
2. Locate your Chrome shortcut. On Windows, right-click the Chrome desktop icon and select “Properties.” On Mac, right-click Chrome in the Applications folder and choose “Get Info.” On Linux, find the chrome launcher in your application menu.
3. Add a flag to the shortcut. In the “Target” field (Windows) or “Exec” line (Linux), add a space and then type --disable-features=ChromeRefresh2023 (for newer versions) or --disable-features=WebUITabStrip (for older versions). On Mac, you’ll need to edit the Info.plist file—this is more complex, so see the Tips section below.
4. Apply and relaunch. Click “OK” or “Apply” to save the changes, then open Chrome using that shortcut. The old interface should now be active.
5. If the flag didn’t work, try the Chrome flags page. Type chrome://flags in the address bar and press Enter. In the search box at the top, type “Refresh” or “Tab strip.” Look for flags like “Chrome Refresh 2023” or “Tab Strip Redesign.” Set them to “Disabled” and restart Chrome.
6. For the old new-tab page: If you miss the old new-tab page with the search bar and frequently visited sites, you can install an extension like “Old New Tab Page” from the Chrome Web Store. This restores the classic layout.
7. For the old menu and context menus: The new “refresh” design also changes right-click menus. To revert them, use the same flag --disable-features=ChromeRefresh2023—it usually covers the whole UI, not just the tabs.
8. If you’re on an older version (pre-2023): The old look might be the “Chrome Refresh 2023” flag, but if you’re on version 69–89, the flag is --disable-features=WebUITabStrip. Use that instead.

Common Mistakes

• Not closing Chrome before editing the shortcut. If Chrome is running, the shortcut change won’t take effect because the process is already using the old command line.
• Adding the flag to the wrong shortcut. If you use a pinned taskbar icon or a different shortcut, you must add the flag to that specific shortcut, not just the desktop one.
• Using the wrong flag name. Chrome updates change flag names. If you use an outdated name, it won’t work. Always check the current flags at chrome://flags.
• Forgetting to restart Chrome after changing flags. The flags page requires a restart to apply changes. Click “Relaunch” when prompted.

Tips

• On Mac, the shortcut method is harder. Instead of editing the Info.plist, you can use the flags page (chrome://flags) which works the same on all platforms. Search for “Refresh” and disable it.
• Create a separate shortcut for the old look. Keep your normal shortcut for everyday use, and create a second shortcut with the flag if you want to switch back and forth.
• Check for new flags after each Chrome update. Google may remove or rename flags. After an update, revisit chrome://flags to see if your setting is still there.
• Use a user profile for testing. If you’re worried about breaking your main profile, create a new Chrome profile and test the flag there first.

Troubleshooting

If the flag doesn’t work, try these steps:

• Check for typos. The flag must be exact, including the double hyphen and the equals sign. Copy it directly from this guide or from chrome://flags.
• Update Chrome. If you’re on an old version, the flag might not exist. Update to the latest version first, then try again.
• Reset Chrome flags. Go to chrome://flags and click “Reset all” at the top right. Then restart Chrome and try adding the flag again.
• Try a different flag. If --disable-features=ChromeRefresh2023 doesn’t work, try --disable-features=ChromeRefresh2023,ChromeRefresh2023NTB (the NTB variant disables the new tab bar).
• Reinstall Chrome. As a last resort, uninstall Chrome and reinstall it. Your bookmarks and passwords will sync if you’re signed in, but you’ll lose extensions and settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this break my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Adding a flag only changes the visual interface. Your data stays intact.

How long will this work?

Google may remove the flag in a future update. It’s best to use it as a temporary solution, not a permanent one.

Does this work on Chrome for Android or iOS?

No. The flags and shortcut methods are only for desktop versions of Chrome.

Can I go back to the old look without a flag?

If you’re on an older version of Chrome (before the redesign), you can simply not update. However, this leaves you vulnerable to security issues.

Why did Google change the design anyway?

Google redesigns Chrome to make it more consistent with its other products and to improve usability. The new design is also more touch-friendly.

Is there a way to get the old tab shape back?

Yes, the same flag --disable-features=ChromeRefresh2023 reverts the tab shape to the older, more rectangular style.

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