How to disable Chrome 69 new material design interface

Google Chrome version 69 has a brand-new interface, but if you don't like, you're still able to go back to the old experience — Here's how to do it.

Disable Chrome version 69 with old interface
Disable Chrome version 69 with old interface

Starting with version 69, Google is bringing an entirely new material user interface for its Chrome browser that uses tabs with rounded corners, flat and minimalistic elements, updated icons, new colors, and a lot more.

However, if you don’t like the new design, it’s possible to go back to the old interface by modifying the Google Chrome’s secret settings.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to disable the new interface on Chrome version 69, and go back to the old design that you know and love on Windows 10, macOS, and Linux.

How to bring backup the old interface on Chrome 69

To disable the new interface on Chrome version 69, you need to modify the following settings with these steps.

  1. Open Chrome.

  2. Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter:

    chrome://flags/#top-chrome-md
  3. Using the drop-down menu on the right, select the Normal option.

  4. Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter:

    chrome://flags/#secondary-ui-md
  5. Using the drop-down menu on the right, select the Disable option.

  6. Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter:

    chrome://flags/#ntp-icons
  7. Using the drop-down menu on the right, select the Disable option.

  8. Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter:

  9. Using the drop-down menu on the right, select the Disable option.

    Disable Chrome version 69 new material interface
    Disable Chrome version 69 new material interface
  10. Click the Relaunch now button.

Once you’ve completed the steps, Chrome will restart, and you should now be able to use the browser with the old interface and with the old experience for the new tab page.

You can always revert back the changes using the same instructions, but this time set their options to Default.

While we’re focusing on Windows 10, you can also use these steps on macOS and Linux to go back to the old design of Google Chrome.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.