How to Run Multiple Independent Instances of Chrome.
It doesn’t matter if multiple users have access to Chrome from the same system or you just want to keep your work and personal account separate. Here’s how to open multiple instances of Chrome at the same time.
Run multiple standalone instances of Chrome
1. Use the guest mode or the incognito mode
These methods are a workaround, and most of us readily use them. Both of these modes provide the user with temporary viewing space. However, there is a difference. Guest mode is great for those looking for a blank slate every time. It does not store browser history and other traces such as cookies. Incognito mode is similar and does not store browser history and cookies. However, you can see your bookmarks, passwords, existing history, autocomplete data, etc.
If you rent your own computer, use guest mode, which erases everything after each session. But for personal use, Incognito allows you to view passwords and autofill data without saving history or cookies.
Also read how to automatically open a specific web search in Chrome in incognito mode.
2. Canary vineyards
Canary is an experimental version of Chrome. It is mainly used for experimental features that might be added to Chrome later. However, many users found Canary useful to create an additional copy to work with. If you like Chrome’s user interface like me, you can try out the new features and also sign in with a different ID.
Get Chrome Canary
3. Add another user
This is a built-in Chrome feature, but most of us are barely aware of it. You can create multiple instances by adding profiles to Chrome.
What’s good?
- Creates a new independent instance.
- Easily sync and save data.
- Supports multiple profiles.
- Creates a separate icon on the desktop.
Remember that all of your data such as bookmarks, auto-complete passwords and extensions will not be carried over from your main profile. So, you have to add it again or sync with a different ID.
Open the Chrome browser and click the profile icon in the upper right corner of the browser.
Now click the + Add icon at the bottom of the tab.
Assign a desired name to the profile and select a thumbnail from the options provided.
Check the “Create Desktop Shortcut” checkbox at the bottom. This will create a shortcut if you want to quickly open that specific instance of Chrome. Then click “Add” in the right corner to complete the new profile creation.
A new tab will appear as soon as you click Add. Here you can create a new account or sign in to keep everything in sync.
If you want to create multiple profiles, just duplicate these steps.
Removing a user profile is easy too. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner and click on Manage People. In the new tab, hover over the profile you want to remove and select Remove this person. Hit confirmation.
Concluding remarks
Adding new instances will help you keep your workspaces independent. Now you don’t need to log out of your work account to access your personal one. You can also install extensions like SessionBox, which create a new session in the same tab with a single click. However, you need to create a SessionBox account, which is another problem. This is why I prefer to use Chrome’s own method to add multiple profiles. So here’s how to open multiple instances of Chrome at the same time. Enjoy!
How to Run Multiple Independent Instances of Chrome