How to reset settings to defaults on Google Chrome on Windows 11, 10

If Chrome is getting slow, or it keeps freezing or crashing, use the reset option to fix any issues — Here's how.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
Pureinfotech Logo
Chrome reset settings
Chrome reset settings / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • To reset Chrome settings to their defaults, open settings, click “Reset settings,” click “Restore settings to their original defaults,” and click “Reset.”

On Windows 11 (or 10), if you use Google Chrome, it’s possible to reset its settings to factory defaults (similar to resetting Microsoft Edge), and in this guide, I will outline the steps to complete this task.

Although it may not happen often, sometimes Chrome can become sluggish, or you may also experience crashing and freezing issues as a result of extensions, installation problems, issues with the profile, or configuration.

Whatever the case might be, the browser has a master button to quickly restore the default settings to resolve the most common issues. The feature will reset the Google Chrome settings and shortcuts, disable extensions and delete cookies and other temporary files. 

In this guide, I will teach you how to revert the Google Chrome settings to their factory defaults on Windows 11 as well as on Windows 10. However, these instructions should also work on other supported platforms like macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS.

Reset and restore original settings on Google Chrome

To reset the settings of Chrome to its defaults on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

  1. Open Google Chrome on Windows.

  2. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome (ellipsis) button on the top-right corner.

  3. Select the Settings option.

  4. Click on Reset settings.

    Quick tip: You can also access this page using the chrome:\\settings\reset link in the address bar.

  5. Click the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option.

    Chrome reset settings

  6. Confirm the reset details before proceeding.

  7. Click the Reset settings button.

    Chrome Reset button

Once you complete the steps, Google Chrome will restore the default settings, disable extensions, and clear cached data like cookies, but your bookmarks, history, and passwords will be kept.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

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 15 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 21 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].