Chrome’s Quick Access, also known as the “Shortcuts” or “Most Visited Sites” section on the New Tab Page, is designed to provide instant access to websites you frequently visit. This feature aims to enhance your browsing experience by streamlining navigation and reducing the time it takes to reach your favorite online destinations. However, many users find this feature distracting, prefer a cleaner New Tab Page, or have privacy concerns related to the displayed websites. If you’re one of these users, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several ways to remove or customize Quick Access in Chrome. This guide will walk you through various methods to achieve a personalized and clutter-free browsing experience.
Understanding Chrome’s Quick Access Feature
Before diving into the removal methods, it’s crucial to understand how Chrome’s Quick Access function works. Chrome automatically populates this section based on your browsing history, identifying the websites you visit most often. This data-driven approach aims to predict your needs and present relevant shortcuts for easy access. While this is convenient for some, others might find the recommendations inaccurate or prefer to curate their own set of shortcuts. Furthermore, the presence of frequently visited websites might be a privacy concern for those who share their computer with others.
The Quick Access section usually displays up to eight website icons, each representing a frequently visited page. These icons appear directly below the search bar on the New Tab Page. Clicking on an icon instantly takes you to the corresponding website. Chrome dynamically updates this section based on your browsing activity, replacing older shortcuts with newer ones as your browsing habits evolve.
Removing Individual Quick Access Shortcuts
The simplest way to manage your Quick Access shortcuts is to remove them individually. This allows you to selectively hide specific websites without completely disabling the feature.
Removing A Shortcut Directly From The New Tab Page
This method is the most straightforward, allowing you to remove a shortcut with just a few clicks.
- Open a New Tab Page in Chrome. This will display the Quick Access section below the search bar.
- Hover your mouse cursor over the shortcut you want to remove. A three-dot menu icon (representing “More options”) will appear in the top-right corner of the shortcut.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon.
- From the dropdown menu, select the “Remove” option.
The selected shortcut will immediately disappear from the Quick Access section. Chrome will then attempt to fill the empty space with another frequently visited website based on your browsing history. If you remove multiple shortcuts, Chrome will gradually populate the section with new suggestions over time.
Pinning Shortcuts To Prevent Removal
You can also pin specific websites to the Quick Access section to prevent them from being automatically replaced. This is useful if you want to ensure that certain websites are always readily accessible, regardless of your recent browsing activity.
- Open a New Tab Page in Chrome.
- Hover over the shortcut you want to pin.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon.
- Select the “Pin” option.
The pinned shortcut will now remain in its position, even if you visit other websites more frequently. To unpin a shortcut, simply repeat the process and select the “Unpin” option. Pinned shortcuts will have a small pin icon displayed on them.
Disabling The Quick Access Feature Entirely
If you prefer a completely clean New Tab Page, you can disable the Quick Access feature altogether. This will prevent Chrome from displaying any shortcuts based on your browsing history.
Using Chrome’s Customization Options
Chrome offers built-in customization options that allow you to hide the Quick Access shortcuts.
- Open a New Tab Page in Chrome.
- Look for a “Customize Chrome” button or a pencil icon at the bottom-right corner of the page.
- Click on the “Customize Chrome” button. This will open a customization panel.
- In the customization panel, navigate to the “Shortcuts” section (the name might vary slightly depending on your Chrome version).
- Select the “My shortcuts” or “Most visited sites” option.
- Change the setting to “Hide shortcuts”.
This will immediately remove the Quick Access section from the New Tab Page. The page will now display only the search bar and your chosen background image, providing a cleaner and less cluttered experience.
Using Chrome Flags (Advanced Users)
Chrome Flags are experimental features that allow you to customize Chrome’s behavior in advanced ways. While this method is effective, it’s important to proceed with caution, as modifying Chrome Flags can potentially lead to unexpected issues.
- Type
chrome://flagsin the address bar and press Enter. This will open the Chrome Flags page. - In the search bar at the top of the Chrome Flags page, type “NTP Modules”.
- Look for the flag labeled “Enable using the user’s visible title/URL list for suggestions on the New Tab Page”.
- Change the setting from “Default” or “Enabled” to “Disabled”.
- At the bottom of the page, click the “Relaunch” button to restart Chrome and apply the changes.
Disabling this flag will prevent Chrome from displaying suggestions based on your browsing history, effectively removing the Quick Access feature.
Using Extensions To Customize The New Tab Page
Chrome extensions offer a wide range of customization options, including the ability to replace the default New Tab Page with a custom one. This is a more versatile approach that allows you to completely control the appearance and functionality of your New Tab Page.
- Open the Chrome Web Store.
- Search for “New Tab Page” or “Custom New Tab”.
- Browse through the available extensions and choose one that suits your needs. Some popular options include Momentum, Infinity New Tab, and New Tab Redirect.
- Click the “Add to Chrome” button to install the extension.
- Once installed, the extension will typically replace the default New Tab Page with its own design.
Most New Tab Page extensions offer a variety of customization options, allowing you to add widgets, bookmarks, notes, and other features. You can often disable or customize the Quick Access section within the extension’s settings.
Managing Your Browsing History For Privacy
Even after removing the Quick Access section, Chrome still tracks your browsing history. If you’re concerned about privacy, it’s important to manage your browsing history regularly.
Clearing Your Browsing History
Clearing your browsing history removes the record of websites you’ve visited, which can help protect your privacy.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Select “History” and then “History” again. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+H (or Cmd+Y on a Mac).
- Click on “Clear browsing data” in the left-hand menu.
- In the “Time range” dropdown menu, select the desired time range (e.g., “Last hour”, “Last 7 days”, “All time”).
- Make sure the “Browsing history” checkbox is selected. You can also choose to clear other data, such as cookies and cached images.
- Click the “Clear data” button.
Clearing your browsing history will remove the data that Chrome uses to generate the Quick Access shortcuts.
Using Incognito Mode
Incognito Mode allows you to browse the web without saving your browsing history, cookies, or other data. This is a useful way to protect your privacy when visiting sensitive websites.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Select “New Incognito Window”. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Shift+N (or Cmd+Shift+N on a Mac).
A new window will open with a dark theme, indicating that you’re in Incognito Mode. Any websites you visit in this window will not be saved in your browsing history.
Disabling Browsing History Recording
You can also disable browsing history recording altogether, preventing Chrome from saving any record of your online activity.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Select “Settings”.
- In the search bar at the top of the Settings page, type “History”.
- Click on “Clear browsing data”.
- In the “Basic” tab, uncheck “Browsing History”.
While this option might seem attractive for privacy, it will also disable other features that rely on browsing history, such as autocompletion of URLs and suggestions in the address bar.
Alternative Ways To Access Frequently Visited Websites
Even if you remove or disable the Quick Access feature, there are still plenty of ways to easily access your favorite websites.
Using Bookmarks
Bookmarks are a simple and effective way to save and organize your favorite websites.
- Visit the website you want to bookmark.
- Click on the star icon in the right side of the address bar.
- Choose a folder to save the bookmark in. You can create new folders to organize your bookmarks by topic.
- Click “Done”.
You can then access your bookmarks by clicking on the three-dot menu icon, selecting “Bookmarks”, and then choosing the desired bookmark from the menu. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+O (or Cmd+Shift+O on a Mac) to open the Bookmark Manager.
Using The Chrome Address Bar
Chrome’s address bar automatically suggests websites based on your browsing history and bookmarks. Simply start typing the name of the website, and Chrome will display a list of suggestions. This can be a faster way to access frequently visited websites than using the Quick Access section.
Creating Desktop Shortcuts
You can create desktop shortcuts for your most frequently visited websites, allowing you to access them directly from your desktop with a single click.
- Visit the website you want to create a shortcut for.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Select “More tools” and then “Create shortcut”.
- Enter a name for the shortcut and click “Create”.
A shortcut icon will now appear on your desktop, which you can double-click to open the website in Chrome.
Conclusion
Removing Quick Access from Chrome is a straightforward process with several different approaches. Whether you prefer to remove individual shortcuts, disable the feature entirely, or use a custom New Tab Page extension, there’s a method to suit your needs. By understanding the different options available, you can customize Chrome to create a more personalized and efficient browsing experience. Remember to also manage your browsing history to protect your privacy and consider alternative ways to access your favorite websites. By taking these steps, you can optimize Chrome to work the way you want it to.
What Exactly Is Quick Access In Chrome, And Why Might I Want To Remove It?
Quick Access in Chrome refers to the list of recently visited websites displayed on the New Tab Page (NTP). It’s designed to offer a convenient way to revisit frequently accessed sites quickly. The thumbnails or icons representing these sites appear below the search bar on the NTP.
You might want to remove Quick Access for various reasons. Privacy concerns could be a factor, as it displays your browsing history visibly. Alternatively, the suggested sites might simply not be relevant or useful to you, cluttering your New Tab Page. Some users prefer a cleaner, less cluttered browsing experience and find the Quick Access feature distracting.
How Can I Remove Individual Sites From Quick Access In Chrome?
To remove individual sites from Quick Access, simply hover your mouse cursor over the thumbnail of the site you wish to remove on the New Tab Page. A three-dot menu (more options) will appear in the corner of the thumbnail.
Click on the three-dot menu. A small context menu will appear, offering options such as “Remove.” Select “Remove” from the menu. The site will then be immediately removed from the Quick Access list, and a new site from your browsing history might replace it.
Is There A Way To Completely Disable Quick Access In Chrome Settings?
Unfortunately, there is no direct toggle switch or setting within Chrome’s official settings to completely disable the Quick Access feature. Google has not provided a straightforward option to turn it off through the regular browser configurations.
However, there are workarounds to effectively hide or remove Quick Access. These methods often involve using browser extensions, modifying Chrome flags (which can be unstable or experimental), or using custom themes that alter the New Tab Page’s appearance. We will explore these methods in more detail below.
What Are Chrome Flags, And How Can They Be Used To Modify Quick Access?
Chrome flags are experimental features and settings that are not yet part of the stable Chrome browser. They offer access to functionalities that are under development or testing. These flags can sometimes be used to modify the behavior of certain Chrome features, including Quick Access.
To access Chrome flags, type “chrome://flags” into your address bar and press Enter. Be warned: modifying flags can sometimes lead to unexpected behavior or instability in your browser. Search for flags related to “New Tab Page” or “Quick Access.” Changes to flags may not always be effective and can be removed by Google at any time.
Can Browser Extensions Help In Removing Or Customizing Quick Access?
Yes, many browser extensions are available that offer customization options for the New Tab Page. Some of these extensions allow you to completely replace the default New Tab Page with a custom page, effectively removing Quick Access altogether. Others may offer the ability to hide or reconfigure the Quick Access section.
Examples of such extensions include those that allow you to set a custom background, display widgets, or integrate with productivity tools. By using a custom New Tab Page extension, you gain control over what is displayed when you open a new tab, allowing you to create a more personalized and distraction-free browsing experience.
How Can I Use A Custom Theme To Change The Appearance Of The New Tab Page And Potentially Hide Quick Access?
Custom themes for Chrome primarily change the visual appearance of the browser’s interface, including the toolbar, tabs, and New Tab Page. While a theme typically doesn’t directly remove the Quick Access feature, some themes are designed with a minimalist approach that minimizes the visual emphasis on the Quick Access section.
By selecting a theme that features a clean, uncluttered New Tab Page with a simple background or design, you can indirectly reduce the prominence of the Quick Access thumbnails. This approach might not eliminate the feature entirely, but it can make it less visually distracting and blend it into the overall aesthetic of the New Tab Page.
What Should I Do If Removing Quick Access Causes Problems With My Browsing Experience?
If you experience problems after removing Quick Access using flags or extensions, the first step is to revert the changes you made. If you modified Chrome flags, you can reset them to their default state by visiting “chrome://flags” and clicking the “Reset all” button at the top of the page.
If you used an extension, try disabling or uninstalling it. In both cases, restart Chrome to ensure the changes take effect. If the issues persist, consider whether the changes you made were truly necessary or if there are alternative approaches that might be less disruptive to your browsing experience. It’s also wise to back up your browser profile before making significant changes.