To install Google Chrome on Windows 11, open Microsoft Edge, go to google.com/chrome, and click Download Chrome. Open the downloaded ChromeSetup.exe file, click Yes when Windows asks for permission, and Chrome installs and opens in about a minute. To make it your default browser, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Google Chrome and click Set default.
Here’s the full process, how to sign in and import your bookmarks, and fixes if the install fails.
How to download and install Chrome
- Open Microsoft Edge from the taskbar or Start menu.
- Go to google.com/chrome. Make sure the address is Google’s official site.
- Click Download Chrome. Edge may show a message suggesting you keep using Edge. You can ignore it.
- Open ChromeSetup.exe from the download bar or your Downloads folder.
- Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt.
- Wait for Chrome to download and install. It opens automatically when finished.
If your PC is in S mode, you can only install apps from the Microsoft Store. You’ll need to switch out of S mode first in Settings > System > Activation. Switching out is free but one-way.
How to make Chrome your default browser
- In Chrome, you may see a Make default prompt. Click it, or go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Search for or click Google Chrome.
- Click Set default at the top.
PDF files may still open in Edge. Click .pdf in the list and choose Chrome if you want. See how to set Chrome as the default browser in Windows 11.
Set up Chrome
- Sign in with your Google Account to sync bookmarks, passwords, and history.
- Import from Edge: Open the three-dot menu > Bookmarks and lists > Import bookmarks and settings.
- Pin Chrome to the taskbar: Right-click its taskbar icon and choose Pin to taskbar.
Install failed? Try these fixes
- Download stuck: Check your internet connection or use the offline installer, available on Google’s Chrome download page under alternative installers.
- “Can’t install” errors: Restart the PC, then run the installer again. Temporarily pausing third-party antivirus can help.
- Blocked on a work PC: Your organization may restrict installs. Ask IT.
- Chrome won’t open after install: Uninstall it in Settings > Apps > Installed apps, restart, and reinstall.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chrome free?
Yes. Only download it from Google’s official website to avoid fake installers.
Does Chrome update automatically?
Yes. To check, open the three-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome.
Can I keep Edge too?
Yes. Edge is built into Windows 11 and can’t be fully removed, but you can use Chrome as your main browser.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.