a-guideon-how-to-browse-in-guest-mode-in-chrome

For avid users of Chrome, there’s never been an option to allow guest browsing, not until now that is. We all know about “incognito browsing – the handy browsing option that doesn’t save browsing history or cookies, but it was still a far cry from the perfect solution, as access to your personal bookmarks and stored passwords was still possible.

Now however Google has added “guest browsing” to Chrome, after first adding it on Chrome OS not too long ago. This new browsing mode is considered the ultimate guest browsing solution, but this mode is only available in the experimental flags area of Chrome, which means accessing this feature is a bit tricky.

Our guide will outline how to enable and use guest browsing in Chrome.

Guest Browsing in Google Chrome

Step 1 would be to enable the hidden guest browser flag.

While guest browsing mode is making many Chrome-users happy right now, it’s important to know this feature has yet to be officially added to Chrome. You will need to visit the “experimental flags” area in Chrome to enable this hidden flag.

To do so, start Chrome, then enter the following address into your address bar: “chrome://flags/#enable-new-profile-management.” The experimental flag page will load, and you will be brought right to the option that turns on/off guest browsing: “Enable new profile management.” Click “Enable” beneath it.

clicking-enable-in-the-experimental-flags-section

After clicking “Enable,” make sure to click the “Relaunch Now” button at the bottom of the page, which is necessary for guest browsing mode to be enabled completely.

clicking-relaunch-now-button

Launch the “Browse as Guest” Option

After relaunching Chrome, you can now view guest browsing mode. To check it out, click the head icon in the top left corner of your browser that lets you manage all of your Chrome-users, and click the new option that reads “Browse as guest.”

clicking-browse-as-guest-in-chrome

After clicking “Browse as guest,” a separate Chrome window will load with a box that lets you know you’re now browsing as a guest and what that entails:

chrome-alert-letting-you-know-youre-as-a-guest

Here are a couple important notes about browsing as a guest in Chrome: You can download files as usual in guest mode, but you cannot install apps. Also, when you’re done browsing as a guest, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+Shift+Q” to end a guest browsing session.

Conclusion

Like with any experimental feature in Chrome, please remember instability of your browser may occur if you enable guest browsing. However, if you frequently let family, friends and colleagues use your computer, the risk is more than worth it. The peace of mind of having your bookmarks and stored passwords protected at all times can’t be beat.

For more information on private browsing in Chrome, check out our post – How to Protect Your Privacy and Make Chrome Secure in 10 Minutes