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Start Google Chrome Always in Guest Mode

How to Start Google Chrome Always in Guest Mode

Starting in Google Chrome 77, you can create a shortcut to open Chrome in Guest Mode. The browser allows enforcing guest browsing mode, so it won't save cookies, the browsing history, and other profile-specific data. This feature is useful in terms of privacy. It plays well with a shared user account at home, or in any other environment.

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Don't be confused with Incognito mode and Guest mode. Incognito is a window that implements the private browsing feature. While it doesn't save things like your browsing history, cookies, site and forms data, it allows you accessing your profile, bookmarks, etc.

Guest mode acts as a new, empty profile. It doesn't allow accessing bookmarks or any other profile data. Once you exit Guest mode, everything related to your browsing activity is deleted from the computer.

When to use Guest Mode

The guest mode feature is useful when you often let other people to use your computer. Or, if you borrow a laptop from a friend, you can also use Guest Mode to ensure that you leave no browsing traces on that PC. The same is applicable to public computers you can find at a library or cafe.

Normally, you can access Guest Mode by clicking on your profile icon and then selecting Open Guest Window.

Google Chrome Open Guest Window Menu

You might want to create a special shortcut to launch the browser always in Guest Mode. Starting in Google Chrome 77, it supports a special command line argument that you should use.

To Start Google Chrome Always in Guest Mode,

  1. Find an existing Google Chrome shortcut on your Desktop or in the Start menu.
  2. Copy and paste it to any desired location.
  3. Rename it to Google Chrome - Guest Mode.Google Chrome Create Guest Window Shortcut
  4. Right-click it and select Properties from the context menu. Or, press and hold the Alt key and double-click the shortcut.
  5. In Properties on the General tab, add <space>--guest after chrome.exe to get the shortcut target like "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --guest.Google Chrome Create Guest Mode Shortcut
  6. Click OK and Apply.

You are done! Now, double click on your new shortcut. This will open Google Chrome directly in the Guest Mode!

Google Chrome Guest Mode Shortcut In Action

Now, you can give your Google Chrome 77 fresh and fancy look by enabling Color and Theme options for the New Tab page.

That's it!

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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

2 thoughts on “Start Google Chrome Always in Guest Mode”

  1. Hello, When I open chrome with “–guest”, chrome creating a new profile naming “Person 1”
    ![Google Chrome](https://i.imgur.com/Rxm73md.jpg)
    Please help me, Thanks.

    1. copy this: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --guest
      and paste into a new shortcut target.
      You have a typo (- instead of –) in front of the guest portion.

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