If you are a Google Chrome user, then here is something which you should definitely know. Google Chrome releases different updates for 3 different channels:
- Stable channel
- Beta channel
- Developer Preview channel
By default Google Chrome is set to "Stable channel" and you receive updates which are thoroughly tested under beta testing. So you get a stable version which is less frequent updated.
"Beta channel" provides more frequent updates which are released almost each month. If you like to get latest updates, you should use Beta channel.
You should use "Developer Preview channel" if and only if you are brave enough to take any kind of risk while using the browser. You'll get all new updates in this channel which may be good or may fail.
Now the question is, how can you switch between these channels? The answer is by using "Google Chrome Channel Changer".
"Google Chrome Channel Changer" is a small portable program from Google Chrome which can help you in switching between these channels.
You can download it from following link:
After downloading, run the file and then you can switch to any desired channel:
Once you switch to a new channel, run Google Chrome, click on Wrench icon and then click on "About Google Chrome" option. It'll check for new updates and will download for you.
Following is a screenshot of the Stable channel:
As you can see the latest version atm is "1.0.154.53". Once we switched to "Beta channel". Google Chrome found a new update and installed the latest "2.0.169.1" version.
Again we switched to "Developer Preview channel" and Google Chrome again found new updates and installed the latest "2.0.173.1" version.
So if you also want to enjoy the latest updates in Google Chrome, you can switch between channels using "Google Chrome Channel Changer".
NOTE: Before switching to a new channel, make sure to take a backup of your existing profile so that you don't face any problem while switching back to the older channel. Sometimes your updated profile might not be compatible with the older version.
To take the backup of your Google Chrome profile, make a copy of "Default" folder present in following location:
local settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data
To access the above location, simply type it in RUN dialog box and press Enter. It'll open the folder and then you can make a backup of "Default" folder.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Google Chrome.
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Robero
Thanks VG for your excellent review, as always. I do agree with you, this is something all Google Chrome users should know.Well, at least giving the user a choice to what channel to use for updates is always a good thing.
GentlemanGezzy
Never knew about that. Thanks. :)
VG
Yep. Most of Google Chrome users are not aware of it. Its indeed a a great tool from Google.
Caue Rego
What about a mac version?
Dexter
It didn't work for me. I am currently on the Beta channel, trying to get to stable (I have been having a lot of problems with Chrome crashing). When I downloaded and ran the Channel Changer filer and ran it, it told me (incorrectly) that I was on the Stable channel. I clicked on Stable and pressed "update" so it might change me to the stable one, but after that I went to "About Google Chrome" and it still said "9.0.597.19 beta" and it said up to date. Can anyone help?
VG
^^ Try to interchange between beta and stable. First apply beta and then apply stable.
Dexter
I already tried that but it didn't work...
But... I got it back to stable finally. I just ended up uninstall Chrome completely and then I installed the stable version fresh. Seems to worked. Thanks for trying to help anyway (:
Satyajeet
They must do this by default