Google Chrome recovery instructions

Computer users may find themselves in need of Google Chrome reset after this web browser undergoes accidental or unauthorised alterations made by the users themselves or triggered by malware. In fact, malware infections are among the primary reason why Google Chrome may require a reset. This is due to the fact that most browser hijackers, adware and similar cyber parasites substitute the default homepage, search engine and startup page of the infected browser and make sure that these changes are not rolled back easily. To reinforce their position on the browser, parasites install additional components, the so-called browser helper objects which reassign the undesirable domains back to the browser after the hijack victim tries to remove them. Such redirects is a constant issue which continues until the malware is deleted from the system. Combined with automatic system scan, Chrome reset is one of the most effective techniques of exterminating browser parasites. 

Chrome reset is necessary if:

• your browser freezes, crashes or loads very slowly when trying to access beloved websites;
• you often land on random unknown websites after being unexpectedly redirected;
• pop-up ads, banners, and other online advertising has intensified to the point where it interfered with the web browsing.

Please NOTE: Chrome reset will unpin all browser pins, delete previously installed extensions and turn off all Google Chrome themes you may have been using. After the reset, your Chrome will also be cleared from cookies, browsing history, custom startup tabs, New Tab page, but your saved bookmarks and passwords will NOT be affected.

Options for the Chrome reset vary, so there is always a possibility to apply different technique if the first one is unsuccessful.

Option 1. Resetting Google Chrome using the 'Reset Settings' option

1. Launch Google Chrome and when the browser boots up navigate to the top-right corner of the browser window where you will find the menu button (the ⋮ icon). Then, go to the bottom of the drop-down and click 'Settings'.

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2. In the very bottom of the Settings page find an option that says 'Show advanced settings…' and click it. 

3. The advanced browser settings will display additional options among which you should find 'Reset Settings' and select it.

4. After clicking the 'Reset settings', pop-up windows will show up asking you to confirm that you want to reset your browser. Click 'Reset' to agree. 

5. Reboot your browser.

Option 2. Accessing Chrome reset page via quick URL command

The Google Chrome's recovery method described in the Option 1 explains how to reset the browser from scratch. However, if you are in a hurry, there is a way to work around some of the steps and use URL command to enter the reset page directly. Type in or paste chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings into the address bar and press Enter. Chrome will land you directly on its reset prompt page where you will be able to commence with the browser reset without delay.

Option 3. Deleting the Default User profile

1. Open Windows menu, type in 'run' into the search bar and hit enter. Click Run to reach the run window
2. Here, type in or paste %appdata%. Clicking OK will send you to the 'Roaming' catalogue
3. In the “Roaming” catalogue, look for 'AppData' folder and select it
   
4. From the App Data catalogue go through these steps Local -> Google -> Chrome -> User Data or simply paste C:\\Users\\[your_PC_name]\\AppData\\Local\\Google\\Chrome\\User Data in the address bar above and hit enter.
5. After completing the previously indicated sequence of actions, you will end up in the catalogue that contains 'Default' folder. Backup this folder in case you have some information on your Google Chrome profile you want to restore later.
6. After you are done with the backup, delete Default folder. The elimination of this folder will ensure that your Chrome browser is swiped off any user data, history, bookmarks, cookies or cache it previously held. In other words, your browser will be restored to its original settings.

Option 4. Making use of the Flags panel to reset Chrome

Next on the list of the Chrome recovery methods is the 'Flags' panel. In order to access this panel, you will have to remember some steps from the Option 2. In this case, the link to Chrome’s reset page should be replaced with Chrome://flags. This command also has to be pasted or typed into the address bar. The Flags panel will open as a page full of different variables, but you should click the 'Reset all to default' on the top of the screen. This technique is purely experimental, so while it may help with certain browser alterations, in other cases, it may not show any apparent results. Be careful and use this method at your own risk.

Option 5. Reinstalling Chrome from scratch

The final method is probably the most drastic one, but it is likely to display best results. In particular, you may reinstall the browser entirely. Of course, smooth reinstallation requires that the components of the previously installed application are fully eliminated from the system. 

You will delete Google Chrome from Windows 10 following the steps below:

1. Before you start the elimination, close all Google Chrome windows and tabs.
2. Open the Windows Start menu and click the gear icon to access system settings
3. Click on 'System' as shown in the image below
4. Select 'Apps & features'
5. When in the list of the installed programs look for Google Chrome and click on it
6. Program's menu will display the 'Uninstall' option which you have to click
7. Click 'Uninstall' to confirm the changes
8. Put a tick next to the 'Also delete your browsing data' if you want to delete all your browsing data
9. Click 'Uninstall' again.

Google Chrome removal from Windows 8 and Vista is slightly different:

1. Close all open Chrome tabs and windows
2. Go to the 'Control Panel'
3. Choose an option that says 'Uninstall a program' or 'Programs and Features'.
4. Select the Google Chrome entry
5. Put a tick next to 'Also delete your browsing data'
6. Click 'Uninstall'.

When the elimination is done, and you are sure there are no residual Google Chrome files left on your computer, you may then go to Google Chrome's official download page, obtain the latest version of the browser and install it on your computer again. Be careful and make sure you download this application only from the official sources not to become a victim of online scammers!