Chrome normally updates itself in the background, but updates only finish when you restart the browser. If you rarely close Chrome, you could be several versions behind and missing security fixes. This guide shows how to check for and install Chrome updates on Windows 10, what the colored update button means, and how to fix updates that fail.
Quick Answer
Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, and choose Help > About Google Chrome. Chrome checks for updates and downloads them automatically. When it’s done, click Relaunch. Your tabs reopen after the restart.
How to Update Chrome on Windows 10
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three dots (or the Update button, if you see one) in the top-right corner.
- Hover over Help and click About Google Chrome. You can also type chrome://settings/help in the address bar.
- Wait while Chrome checks for and downloads the latest version.
- Click Relaunch. Chrome closes and reopens with your tabs restored (Incognito windows aren’t reopened).
If the page says Chrome is up to date, you already have the latest version. The version number appears under the message.
What the Update Button Means
When an update has downloaded but hasn’t been applied, Chrome shows an Update label on the menu button. Chrome uses color to show how long it’s been waiting. Older versions used colored arrows (green, orange, red) and newer versions use a highlighted “Update” pill that turns more urgent over time. Either way, click it and choose Relaunch to update.
Is Chrome Still Supported on Windows 10?
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but Google has said Chrome will keep receiving updates on Windows 10 for some time afterward, though not forever. Keep Chrome updated as long as it’s supported, and plan a move to Windows 11 (or enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates) so the operating system itself stays protected. Windows 7 and 8.1 no longer get new Chrome versions.
Make Sure Automatic Updates Are Working
Chrome’s updater runs as a background task and service on Windows. To keep it healthy:
- Close Chrome completely at least every few days so pending updates install. Use menu > Exit rather than just closing a window.
- Don’t disable Google’s update services or scheduled tasks with “optimizer” tools.
- Allow Chrome’s updater through third-party firewalls or antivirus software.
To make Chrome relaunch less often but still stay current, open About Google Chrome once a week; it takes a few seconds.
Chrome Won’t Update: Fixes
1. Restart the computer
A pending Windows update or a stuck Chrome process can block the updater. Restart and try About Google Chrome again.
2. Check your connection and security software
Update errors like “An error occurred while checking for updates” often come from a firewall, VPN, proxy, or antivirus blocking Google’s update servers. Temporarily turn off the VPN, or add Chrome’s updater to your security software’s allowed list.
3. Free up disk space
Updates need a few hundred megabytes free. Run Disk Cleanup or delete files you don’t need if your C: drive is almost full.
4. Check for malware and bad extensions
Some unwanted software blocks browser updates. Run a scan with Windows Security, and remove extensions you don’t recognize at chrome://extensions.
5. “Updates are disabled by your administrator”
This message, or “Managed by your organization” in the menu, means a policy controls updates. On a work or school PC, ask your IT team. On a personal PC, an old program may have added policies. Visit chrome://policy to see which policies are set.
6. Reinstall Chrome
If update errors such as error 3, 7, 11, or 12 keep appearing, reinstall Chrome. Your bookmarks and passwords come back when you sign in to Chrome sync, or stay in your profile if you don’t delete browsing data.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select Google Chrome, and click Uninstall.
- Download the latest installer from Google’s official Chrome download page (google.com/chrome) using Microsoft Edge.
- Run the installer and sign in to Chrome to restore your synced data.
How to Check Your Chrome Version
Go to menu > Help > About Google Chrome, or type chrome://version for full details, including whether you have the 64-bit build.
To check the result, see finding your Chrome version.
Related: How to Find Your Saved Passwords on Google.
Related: Fix Google Chrome not responding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does updating Chrome delete my tabs, bookmarks, or passwords?
No. Updates keep all your data, and Relaunch reopens your normal tabs.
Is updating Chrome free?
Yes. Be wary of pop-ups on websites that say your browser is out of date and offer a download; update only from the About Google Chrome page.
How often does Chrome update?
Google releases a major version about every four weeks, with security updates in between.
Summary
- Click the three dots and choose Help > About Google Chrome.
- Let Chrome download the update.
- Click Relaunch.
- If it fails, restart, check your security software, and reinstall if needed.
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.