Google Chrome is by far the number one in browser land. Quite rightly so, because just about all benchmarks prove that this program performs the best. Although Chrome looks a bit bare at first glance, this browser can do more than you think. What are the tips for Google Chrome that every user should know?
Tip 01: Synchronization
When you use Chrome on your PC, it is of course useful if you also have access to the same bookmarks, browsing history, extensions and passwords on other systems. No problem, because Chrome allows you to synchronize this data with a laptop, tablet or smartphone. Make sure you have an account with Google and that you are logged in. The browser will then automatically enable synchronization. If you have ever turned it off or the function is not turned on, you can easily turn it on by clicking the button in the top right corner of your PC. Customize and manage Google Chrome (three dots) and choose Institutions. Do you want to decide for yourself which data you share with other systems? Click below the email address Synchronization and indicate with the slider behind each setting whether you want to set up synchronization for this. Once you install Chrome on another device, the synced data will be available automatically. The condition is, of course, that you are logged in with the same Google account.
Tip 02: Surf anonymously
Chrome stores quite a lot of data about its users during browsing sessions. Think, for example, of visited web pages, completed web forms and cookies. If you prefer not to leave any traces, you can easily start an anonymous surfing session. Click on the top right Customize and manage Google Chrome and choose New incognito window. Note that the browser now has a dark theme and shows a spy icon at the top left. Incidentally, Chrome still collects data during an anonymous surfing session. Only after you close the incognito window will this data be lost. An alternative, faster, way to start an anonymous surfing session is via the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N.
Only after you close the incognito window will the saved data be lostTip 03: Font Size
Are you somewhat visually impaired and do you want to adjust the font size, go to Customize and manage Google Chrome / Institutions and look for the part there Font size. By default, this setting is Average, but you can also choose Big or Verybig. It is intended that only the font size of the web page changes. Unfortunately, this option does not work for every website. What always works is adjusting the zoom level. In addition to the text, you can also enlarge images and videos. Adjust Zoom on page a higher percentage to enlarge the entire webpage.
Tip 04: Download folder
Everyone sometimes downloads something from the internet, whether it's a movie, image or PDF file. Such a download always ends up in the Downloads folder of Windows Explorer. Do you find that inconvenient and would you rather have those files on your desktop where they are much easier to reach? Then go to Customize and manage Google Chrome / Institutions and click at the bottom Advanced to show all settings. below Downloads you will see the current save folder. Choose via Modify another location, such as the desktop. Confirm with OK. Alternatively, you can also manually choose the desired folder for each download. In that case, activate the rear switch Priorask a download where to save a file.
Tip 05: Google Smart Lock
For saving passwords, it is a big advantage that Chrome is linked to your Google account. This allows you to log in automatically with your login details on any device. The service that takes care of this is called Google Smart Lock. Of course you decide which passwords you store in Google's online safe. Surf here, and log in with the email address and password of your Google account. If necessary, activate the rear switches Smart Lock for passwords and Log in automatically. Now, as soon as you log into a web service, Google Smart Lock will prompt you to save the login information. Choose Save. The next time you visit this service again, you will log in automatically. Here you manage all saved passwords. Click the trash can icon if you want to delete a saved password. As soon as you click on the eye, the relevant password will appear on the screen. Handy in case you forgot your login details.
Google Smart Lock lets you log in automatically on any website and device Tip 06: Extensions
Chrome supports the use of extensions. These are utilities that work with your browser. For example, you can block annoying advertisements (AdBlock) or hide your online identity from advertisers (Ghostery). Navigate to Customize and manage Google Chrome / More tools / Extensions. You can see which extensions are currently active in Chrome. Maybe there are applications that have nestled inconspicuously in Chrome? Then click the trash can icon to delete that extension. Do you want to install an extension? Via the link Add more extensions opens a new tab with an extensive catalog. If you found an interesting helper, click add on Chrome / Add extension. In addition to extensions, you will also find numerous themes in the catalog with which you can customize the user interface of Chrome. Go to Customize and manage Google Chrome / Institutions / Themes to change the theme.
Experiment in Chrome
Chrome includes a variety of experimental features that you can use at your own risk. In the address bar, just type chrome://flags and press Enter. At the top is a warning that using experimental features may cause you to lose data or compromise your privacy. You have access to hundreds of features. click on Switch when you want to try something at your own risk. Have you fiddled with many settings, click at the top Restore all default settings and Restart now. Chrome will then work as usual. By the way, you can also install the beta version of Chrome if you like to have access to the latest features.
Tip 07: Clear data
As we mentioned earlier, Chrome collects a lot of data, such as cookies, your browsing history and passwords. To clear that data and clean up Chrome, go to Customize and manage Google Chrome / More Tools / Clear browsing data or press the key combination Ctrl+Shift+Delete. By default, this feature deletes browsing history, cookies, images, and other files. Bee Period is the setting in the first instance All the time selected, but you can also delete data from the last hour or only the last seven days. Then click Delete information. Through Advanced You also have more control over which data you want to throw away. Tick the desired parts and confirm with Delete information.
Your browser collects a lot of data, such as cookies, passwords and browsing history Tip 08: Closed tab
Who doesn't accidentally click away a tab in Chrome, only to regret it a few seconds later? Of course you can retrieve the web page in question via the surfing history, but it can also be done faster. Right click on an existing tab and choose Reopen closed tab. Repeat this trick if you want to retrieve multiple closed tabs in chronological order. You can just as easily use a shortcut for this, namely Ctrl+Shift+T.
Tip 09: Create shortcut
You can easily create a shortcut on the desktop of every frequently visited website. Surf to the correct web address and then navigate to Customize and manage Google Chrome / More tools / Add to desktop. A small pop-up window opens in which you give the shortcut a recognizable name. By default, the website opens in its own window, without an address bar or bookmarks toolbar. Do you prefer to start the website in a regular browser window of Chrome? In that case, uncheck To open as window. Finally click on Add. Handy for recognisability, the shortcut is automatically assigned a corresponding icon.
Tip 10: Home pages
Most people start each surfing session with three to four fixed websites. Think, for example, of Google, Facebook and a news site such as NU.nl. Instead of manually surfing to these websites, you can have Chrome open with multiple tabs automatically. In the address bar, type chrome://settings and press Enter.
Under the part BeeStartup select the option Open a specific page or set of pages. Through Anadd new page enter a web address, after which you confirm with Add. Repeat this process for each website you want to start a browsing session with.
