How to Run Two Instances of Google Chrome Simultaneously
Google Chrome is a widely used browser favored for its efficiency and customization options. However, sometimes users need to run multiple instances of Google Chrome simultaneously for various purposes such as web development, testing, or simply isolating different browsing sessions. This guide provides clear instructions on how to achieve this with multiple methods.
Method 1: Using Different User Profiles
One of the simplest ways to have two Google Chrome browsers running simultaneously is by creating different user profiles. Each profile opens in a separate window, allowing you to maintain different settings, bookmarks, and extensions.
Steps
Open your Google Chrome browser.
Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
Select Manage people or Add if it is not already listed.
Choose Add person and follow the prompts to create a new profile.
Switch between profiles to open multiple instances of Chrome with different settings, bookmarks, and extensions.
Method 2: Using Chrome Canary
A more developer-friendly approach is to install Chrome Canary, a separate version of Chrome designed specifically for testing and development.
Steps
Visit the Chrome Canary website.
Download and install Chrome Canary.
Run both Chrome and Chrome Canary at the same time without conflicts, as they are separate installations.
Method 3: Using Terminal or Command Prompt
For users with a bit more technical expertise, the command line can be used to run multiple instances of Chrome with different user data directories.
Windows
Press Win R to open the Run dialog.
Type chrome.exe --user-data-dirpath_to_directory and press Enter. This creates a new session with a separate user data directory.
Mac
Open Terminal.
Type:
open -na Google Chrome
Press Enter.
Method 4: Using Virtual Machines or Containers (Advanced)
For advanced users, running Chrome in a virtual machine (VM) or container provides an isolated environment. This method is more complex and is typically used for testing purposes, but it ensures complete independence between instances.
Additional Tips for Running Chrome Instances
For users who frequently switch between different Chrome instances, here are some additional tips:
Opening a New Tab or Window
Opening a new tab or window is straightforward:
On Windows or Linux: Press Ctrl t to open a new tab or Ctrl n to open a new window.
On Mac: Press Cmd t to open a new tab or Cmd n to open a new window.
Users can also rearrange new tabs and windows for better organization and manageability.
Grouping Google Chrome Tabs
Another useful feature is tab grouping, which organizes similar tabs into a single tab group for easy access.
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