How to enable Google Chrome’s new hidden look on Windows 11 & Windows 10

Peer Networks UK Windows Latest How to enable Google Chrome’s new hidden look on Windows 11 & Windows 10

Chrome is set for a significant design refresh. Google has already added experimental flags to the stable branch, allowing anyone to try Chrome’s new look that matches Windows 11’s rounded corners. The new design is called “Chrome 2023 refresh” and is expected to ship later this year.

Google’s new design is officially called “refresh” and does not dramatically change the browser’s interface. Your favourite features, buttons or options aren’t moving anywhere. Google is not changing anything but updating sharp corners with rounded corners, adding colours to some buttons, and more.

Google’s Chrome refresh aligns the browser with Google’s material and Windows 11’s Mica effect. The screenshot below shows Chrome’s new look, which can be enabled in Chrome 116.0.5845.111 or newer. However, remember the new look is experimental, and the overall experience could be buggy.

How to enable Chrome’s new look in version 116

To enable Chrome’s new look, download the latest version of the browser, which is version 116 and use these steps:

  1. Open chrome://flags
  2. In Chrome, search for “refresh 2023” and enable all flags related to the new design, such as #chrome-refresh-2023 and #chrome-webui-refresh-2023

    Enable Chrome Refresh 2023
    Enable flags to relaunch Chrome with a new look

  3. Restart the browser

Hands on with Chrome 116’s new look

Google Chrome Refresh homepage
Homepage of new Chrome | Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

As mentioned above, there are rounded corners everywhere. Right-click anywhere in the browser, open the address bar, links, or menu, and notice rounded corners.

Google officials justified the rounded corners by promising better support for touch-screen devices.

Chrome right menu
Right-click menu in Chrome | Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

Google is trying to make Chrome more engaging and colourful, so you will notice visual effects when you hover over the buttons, tabs, or menus. There are new icons, too.

Chrome menu
Menu in Chrome | Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

You can always customize the interface by clicking “Customize Chrome,” which lets you change colour, add themes, and more. Google wants to create a more personalized Chrome experience, and it won’t be surprising if the company adds new features to let you change the look of the browser.

You’ll notice the updated profile menu when you click the icon in the toolbar. Google uses a subtle shade of blue, matching the company’s material design.

Chrome profile pop-up
Profile menu to manage signed-in Google accounts | Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

As mentioned at the outset, we don’t know when the search engine giant plans to enable Chrome’s 2023 refresh by default. It’s possible it could be enabled in the next release or via some server-side update.

Google has rolled out several updates for the browser in the past few months. For example, the most recent update added Google’s generative search experience to Chrome’s panel, similar to Edge’s Bing sidebar.

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