How to (force) enable Vertical Tabs on Chrome for Windows 11

• Vertical tabs move Chrome tabs into a sidebar for better visibility and space usage.
• The feature is rolling out now, but you can also enable it through chrome://flags settings.
• This works on Chrome version 147 and newer on Windows 11 and other OSes.

Vertical tabs are one of those features that can completely change how you browse, especially if you tend to keep dozens of pages open at the same time. While Google Chrome has long relied on a traditional horizontal tab strip, that layout quickly becomes cluttered and difficult to manage on a busy desktop.

On Windows 11, where widescreen displays and multitasking are standard, Vertical Tabs make far better use of space by moving your tabs into a dedicated sidebar. This layout improves visibility, makes it easier to switch between pages, and keeps long tab titles readable without constant resizing.

This new feature is rolling out gradually as part of Google Chrome version 147, but since it’ll take some time to reach everyone, you can manually force-enable vertical tabs through the Flags page.

It’s also worth noting that this isn’t a new concept. Other browsers like Microsoft Edge have offered built-in Vertical Tabs for some time, and other Chromium-based and alternative browsers adopted similar designs years ago. Chrome is simply catching up, offering a more modern tab-management experience for users who need better control over large browsing sessions.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to force-enable the Vertical Tabs feature on Google Chrome.

Enable the Vertical Tabs feature on Chrome

To enable the Vertical Tabs feature in the latest release of Google Chrome (version 147), follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter to open the “flags” experimental settings to enable Vertical Tabs from the address bar:

   chrome://flags/#vertical-tabs

3. Use the “Vertical Tabs” setting on the right and select the Enable option.

   

4. Click the Relaunch button.

Once you complete the steps, right-click any Chrome window and select the “Show Tabs Vertically” option, and the browser layout will change to that orientation.

Now, with tabs aligned vertically, you can see full page titles at a glance and organize tab groups without friction, even as your tab count grows. The layout is built for multitasking, helping you stay organized and quickly switch context without losing track of open pages.

At any time, you can right-click the Chrome window and select the “Show Tab Horizontally” option to switch to the classic tab layout.

If you don’t know how to update the browser, open the chrome://settings/help page and the app will automatically check for and download the latest build, then click “Relaunch.”

FAQs about enabling Vertical Tabs on Chrome

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about enabling Vertical Tabs in the latest version of Chrome.

What are vertical tabs in Google Chrome?

Vertical tabs are a feature that moves your open tabs from the top of the browser into a sidebar. This layout improves visibility by showing full page titles, making it easier to manage multiple tabs and switch between them, especially when working with dozens of pages at once.

Why should I use vertical tabs in Chrome on Windows 11?

Vertical tabs improve multitasking by using screen space more efficiently on widescreen displays. They let you read full tab titles, organize tab groups more easily, and reduce clutter, making navigation faster and more intuitive when managing many open tabs.

Which is better, vertical or horizontal tabs on Chrome?

Vertical tabs are better for managing many open tabs because they display full titles and scale efficiently. Horizontal tabs, while familiar, become cramped and harder to navigate as the tab count increases. Vertical layout is ideal for productivity, while horizontal works best for minimal tab usage.

How do Chrome vertical tabs compare to Microsoft Edge vertical tabs?

Chrome vertical tabs offer similar functionality but are still rolling out and may require manual activation. In contrast, Microsoft Edge includes vertical tabs as a built-in, polished feature with easier access. Chrome is catching up, but Edge currently provides a more seamless experience.

How do I enable vertical tabs on Chrome?

To enable vertical tabs, open Chrome and go to chrome://flags/#vertical-tabs. Change the setting to “Enabled,” then relaunch the browser. After restarting, right-click the tab bar and select “Show Tabs Vertically” to switch to the sidebar layout.

Why don’t I see the vertical tabs option on Chrome?

If the option is missing, your browser version may not support it yet. Vertical tabs are rolling out starting with Chrome version 147, so updating Chrome to the latest version or enabling the feature manually through flags is required to access them.

How do I switch back to horizontal tabs in Chrome?

To switch back to the default layout, right-click anywhere in the Chrome window and select “Show Tabs Horizontally.” This instantly restores the traditional top tab strip without changing any other browser settings or disabling the feature entirely.