Create Multiple Profiles For Google Chrome

Creating multiple profiles for your browser is the most productive task. I have created three user profiles for Firefox, which provides an easier approach towards managing my online activities.

If you share your computer with family members or friends, it would be best to create a separate user profile for everyone. A separate user profile is just like a different instant of browser on the same computer.

If your default browser is Firefox then you must check this post, which will guide you to create user profiles in Firefox. Here, I am trying to explain the process of creating user profiles in Google chrome browser.

Step #1 – Navigate to Chrome’s Application Data Folder

In Windows XP the folder is located here by default :

C:\Documents and Settings\windows-username\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome

Step #2 – Open User Data Folder

You will notice a Default folder  in the User Data Folder. This folder contains all the settings for your default user profile of Google Chrome browser. Copy this folder and paste it.  You will get another folder with the name “Copy of Default”.

This folder will serve as the settings folder for your new user profile. Rename it to something meaningful, like Second. So, Second is your new user profile for Google Chrome. Unfortunately,  Google Chrome does not support multiple user profiles hence we need to create a launching shortcut for this new profile.

Step #3

Go back to Chrome’s Application Data Folder. Now, open the Application folder. You will notice a file with name “Chrome” with chrome’s icon. Create shortcut of this file by right clicking on it.

This will create a shortcut of Chrome file in the same folder. Now, right click on the shortcut file and select Properties from the contextual menu.  In the target field, you will notice this address :

"C:\Documents and Settings\windows-username\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"

Change this address to this :

"C:\Documents and Settings\windows-username\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --user-data-dir="C:\Documents and Settings\windows-username\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Second"

Rename this shortcut to Second — and your are done, finally! :)

Drag this shortcut to your desktop etc. and use it to open Google Chrome in the new Second profile. A user profile for a browser is like another instant of browser in the same machine.