Like most web browsers, Google Chrome offers an option to work with different profiles. This can be helpful when multiple users use the web browser or if one user wants to use profiles for different tasks (like work / home).
Each profile uses its own data directory meaning that users can configure the web browser the way they want it to look like. This includes themes and extensions but also configuration settings, bookmarks and the browser history.
It is unfortunately not that easy to create Google Chrome profiles. Users who want to create a profile need to open the Chrome User Data folder. There they find the Default profile. They then need to create a copy of that Default profile, rename it and place it in the same User Data directory.
That’s the new user profile. The new profile can then be run by creating a shortcut on the computer desktop that points to it:
chrome.exe –user-data-dir="..\User Data\newProfile"
This procedure is not very handy. A far better way of creating and using Google Chrome profiles is offered by the free software program Google Chrome Backup.
It has been mainly designed as a backup software but it comes with the functionality to create and manage user profiles in Chrome.
Google Chrome Backup lists all existing user profiles in its main interface upon startup. A right-click on a profile in the list opens a context menu with options to backup and restore it, run it and create a shortcut to launch it more comfortably from another location.
New profiles are created by clicking on Profile and selecting the New Profile link.
Entering a new profile name is sufficient to create a new profile. Advanced users can select a custom location on the hard drive for the profile folder and define Chrome startup parameters under advanced options.
Google Chrome Backup offers a manageable and easy way to create and manage Google Chrome profiles. The Windows only software program can be downloaded from the developer’s website.
Enjoyed the article?: Then sign-up for our free newsletter or RSS feed to kick off your day with the latest technology news and tips, or share the article with your friends and contacts on Facebook or Twitter.Related Articles:
Google Chrome Multiple Profiles Support AddedGoogle Chrome Backup
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Thunder-man has made a portable Version with multi profil GUI
Also with Parameter.txt e.g. for
–disable-imagesGoogleChromePortable-MP-GUI
–disable-javascript
–disable-java
–disable-plugins
–incognito
GoogleChromePortable MP
http://svsload.com/wd/googlechromeportable-multiprofil/
Well seems there is no pain anymore since in version 14.0.825.0 there is a profiles icon
in a top left corner. It’s very easy to setup different profiles.