- Google Chrome gets mica material support on Windows 11.
- The new design support shows the desktop background colors using a frost effect for the frame.
- The mica material is enabled by default in the latest preview of the browser available in the Canary channel.
- It’s unclear when Google plans to roll out the updated design for its web browser.
Google is finally bringing modern design improvements to its Chrome web browser on Windows 11. In the latest preview of the Canary channel, Google Chrome comes with an updated version of the title bar that features the mica material to align with the design style available on Windows 11.
The mica material is a design technique that shines the desktop background colors through the body of the app with a semi-transparent blur effect (like a frosted window). In the case of Chrome, you can see the new material in the title bar.
If you want to experience the new design, it comes enabled by default in the latest preview of Chrome. It’s important to note that the new style is only available when you’re not using any custom themes.
Although you don’t have to enable the feature manually, you can turn it off manually by appending the “–disable-features=Windows11MicaTitlebar” to the Google Chrome shortcut in the “Properties” settings.
In addition to the mica material support, the company is also planning to incorporate various other visual changes to the version of Chrome for Windows 11, including bigger buttons, rounded corners, and redesigned dialogs. The buttons in the address bar (such as the one for share and site information) are getting a new design update. Furthermore, the main menu is also getting refreshed by adding new icons to represent each available option.
Finally, Google is also working on a feature that automatically picks a color scheme for the browser from the current wallpaper image, similar to the feature found on Android. However, you have to enable the feature manually.
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].