How to Uninstall Google Chrome Manually in Windows 7

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Your computer erases Chrome without further warning when you press "Uninstall."
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft and Google

As with most other Windows programs, Chrome usually uninstalls through the Programs and Features Control Panel. Uninstalling Chrome this way ensures that your computer recognizes Chrome's removal and automatically switches back to another Web browser -- Windows 7 includes Internet Explorer. After you uninstall Chrome, check its installation location to delete any remaining files. If regular removal fails, you can also delete these files to uninstall Chrome manually, but always try regular removal first to avoid later glitches.

Advertisement

Uninstall Chrome from Windows

Video of the Day

Step 1

Open Programs and Features.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Search for and open the "Programs and Features" Control Panel using the Start menu.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

Step 2

Select Chrome to uninstall.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Select "Google Chrome" from the list and press "Uninstall." If you have trouble finding Chrome, search for it with the search bar in the upper right corner.

Advertisement

Step 3

Uninstall Chrome.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft and Google

Check "Also Delete Your Browsing Data?" if you want to remove information such as your Web history. If you're planning to reinstall Chrome, don't check this box unless you want to start from scratch. Click "Uninstall" to remove Chrome.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 4

Complete or close the survey.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft and Google

Fill out Google's survey that pops up, if you want to. Otherwise, close the window.

Advertisement

Clean Up Remaining Files Manually

Step 1

Delete or open Chrome's data folder.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Press "Windows-R" and run the command %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google to reach the directory that contains data for Google's programs, including Chrome. To completely erase the browser's files and user data, delete the entire Chrome folder. To pick and choose parts to retain, open it.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 2

Delete or open Chrome's folders.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Delete the Application folder to remove any remaining program files for Chrome. Delete the User Data folder to remove user files including preferences and extensions. If you want to delete only one user's data, open the folder instead of erasing it.

Advertisement

Step 3

Delete a particular user profile.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Delete a Chrome profile folder to remove one user's data while preserving other profiles for a later reinstallation. Chrome's first profile folder has the name "Default," while others bear a number such as "Profile 2."

Advertisement

Advertisement

references & resources