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Enable Guest Browsing Mode With Shortcut in Google Chrome
The Chrome browser allows you to add user profiles for easy switching between different sets of history, cookies, and bookmarks. One of these profiles is specifically designed for guests, with no recording of history or personal data.
If you want to enable a completely incognito mode (such as guest browsing) or create a separate profile for your guests, follow the steps below. We will also show you how to create a shortcut directly to a specific Chrome user profile, which can be added to your desktop for convenient access to a unique browser for your guests.
Enable Guest or Other User Account Profile Switching
Step 1: Open a new Chrome tab and enter “chrome://flags/#enable-new-profile-management” in the address bar.
If the page doesn’t show in your browser, press Ctrl + F to search for “Enable new profile management system.”
Click the link “Enable” and relaunch Chrome to confirm and enable the changes.
Step 2: A new icon will be loaded to the left of the browser tabs. This is how new users are added or existing ones are signed out.
Choose the button called Guest browsing to open a new Chrome window with a different location for cookies, personal data, and temporary files.
Note that Guest browsing is essentially just an incognito window. Ctrl + Shift N will open the same window.
Step 3: To ensure a specific, named profile for guests who use your computer, create an alternate user. An alternate user account retains history and other identifiable information. However, it functions more as a user account for guests rather than a regular incognito window.
To add a new user, click on the Users link and select Add user on the bottom left.
Step 4: Enter a unique name and select a picture.
Now the new user can have a regular browsing window and switch back and forth between the other accounts.
Create a Shortcut to a Chrome User
Make it easy for guests to use this profile by creating a shortcut on the desktop labeled “Guest Browser.” Create a regular Chrome shortcut, but add the following to the target path: -p”rofile-directory=Guest Users”. Replace “Guest Users” with the name of your guest profile. Guests can now open a separate browser profile by launching this shortcut.
Conclusion
An incognito window is desirable if you want to ensure that your browsing history and personal files are not saved when you exit the browser. This is especially useful for guests. However, if you prefer a bit more personalization, creating a new profile might be sufficient.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
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