Use tabs in Chrome

You can open as many tabs as you want in Chrome. You can also view all your tabs and switch among them.

Learn how to manage suggested articles.

Open a new tab

At the top of your Google Chrome window, next to the last tab on the right, click New tab New tab. Or, use a keyboard shortcut:

  • Windows & Linux: Ctrl + t
  • Mac: ⌘ + t
Open a tab in a new window

Click and drag the tab outside the Google Chrome window.

To open a new window, use a keyboard shortcut:

  • Windows & Linux: Ctrl + n
  • Mac: ⌘ + n
Open a file in a new tab
From your computer's desktop or folder, drag the file into a Google Chrome tab. If the action is successful, your cursor will display Add Add.

Browse and select the file from your computer. Open a new tab, then use a keyboard shortcut:

  • Windows & Linux: Ctrl + o
  • Mac: ⌘ + o
Open a link in a new tab
  • Windows & Linux: Ctrl + click a link
  • Mac: ⌘ + click a link

Customize your new tab page

When you open a new tab, under the search box, you'll find websites you visit often or shortcuts to websites you've chosen.

  • To hide shortcuts or your most visited websites, or to switch between them, open Chrome and go to the shortcuts tab under Customize Edit. 
  • To visit a site, click the icon.
  • To remove or edit a site, point to the icon. At the top right of the icon, click More Organize.

Add a custom background image

You can upload a photo or use a background from Chrome.
  1. In the bottom right of the new tab page, click Customize Edit.
  2. In the “Background” tab, select a Chrome background to customize your browser, or upload your own photo. 

Change your browser color

You can change the color of your Chrome browser. 

  1. In the bottom right of a new tab, click Customize Edit. 
  2. In the “Color and theme” tab, select a color. 
  3. After you select a color, click Done. 

Arrange tabs

To change the order of your tabs, drag a tab along the top of the browser window.

  • To pin a tab to the left, right-click the tab and select Pin. Pinned tabs are smaller and only show the site's icon.
  • To unpin a tab, right-click the tab and select Unpin.
  • To move a tab to a different window, right click on the tab and point to Move tab to another window, then select the window you want to move it to. 

Group your tabs

You can organize your tabs with groups.
  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. Click New tab New tab.
  3. Right-click a tab and then select Add to new group.
    • To edit your tab group, right-click the colored circle or name to the left. You can:
      • Name your group.
      • Add additional tabs to the group.
      • Remove the group.
    • To add a tab to an existing group, drag the tab into the group.
    • To remove a tab from a group, right-click the tab, then select Remove from group.

Collapse and expand tab groups

You can collapse your tab groups so only the group's name or colored circle is showing in your tab strip. 

  1. Create a tab group.
  2. To expand or collapse the group, select its name or colored circle.

Close a tab

At the top right of the tab, click Close Close. Or, use a keyboard shortcut:

  • Windows & Linux: Ctrl + w
  • Mac: ⌘ + w
Close a window
  • Close all tabs in the window.
  • At the top corner of the window, click Close Close.
    • Windows & Linux: At the top right.
    • Mac: At the top left.

    You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to close a window:

    • Windows & Linux: Alt + F4
    • Mac: ⌘ + Shift + w
Close Google Chrome

You can close Google Chrome entirely.

  1. Open the Chrome menu.
    • Windows & Linux: On the top menu bar, click More Organize.
    • Mac: On the top menu bar, click Chrome.
  1. Close Google Chrome.
  • Windows & Linux: Click Exit.
  • Mac: Click Quit Google Chrome.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut to close Google Chrome:

  • Windows & Linux: Ctrl + Shift + q
  • Mac: ⌘ + q

Bring back a tab or window

If you accidentally close a tab or window, you can open it again using a keyboard shortcut:

  • Windows & Linux: Ctrl + Shift + t
  • Mac: ⌘ + Shift + t

Force a page or app to close

If a tab, window, or extension isn't working, you can force it closed with Chrome's task manager. 

  1. At the top right, click More Organize.
  2. Click More tools and then Task manager.
  3. Select the webpage, extension, or app you'd like to close.
  4. Click End process.

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