Google is expected to roll out a new version of Chrome for the desktop that will introduce various visual changes, including a new experience to customize the look and feel of the browser. and in this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable the new customization settings in the latest Canary version of Chrome.
Chrome has included the same interface for a long time, but it appears that the is working to introduce some visual changes. The new interface still retains the similarity of the classic design as you see today on Windows 11, 10, macOS, and Linux, but Google is now adding some of the “Material You” design language already found on ChromeOS and Android.
For instance, the toolbar now features redesigned larger buttons and rounded corners almost everywhere you see, and the menus now follow the browser color scheme. In addition, the browser (version 119) also introduces a new customization experience that offers the option to change themes, switch between the light and dark color modes, change the color scheme, and even an option that allows the browser can match the accent color of Windows 11.
Also, when switching to dark color mode, Chrome will continue to follow the device color or the color scheme you chose in the settings but use dark tones instead of changing the color to completely dark tones. Furthermore, the Shortcut settings allow you to turn shortcuts on or off, and you decide whether to show your shortcuts or your most visited sites in the new tab.
In this guide, you will learn the steps to enable the new visual updates for Google Chrome.
Enable new customization side panel on Chrome
To enable the new customization settings on Google Chrome, use these steps:
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Open Google Chrome (119 or higher).
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Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter to open the “flags” experimental settings to enable the “Customize Chrome Side Panel” setting:
chrome://flags/#customize-chrome-side-panel
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Use the “Customize Chrome Side Panel” setting on the right and select the Enabled option.
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(Optional) Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter to open the “Customize Chrome Side Panel Extension Card” setting:
chrome://flags/#customize-chrome-side-panel-extensions-card
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Use the “Customize Chrome Side Panel Extension Card” setting on the right and select the Enabled option.
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Click the Relaunch button.
Once you complete the steps, the browser will open with the new design changes and with the new “Customize Chrome” settings in the Side Panel.
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. Email him at [email protected].