How to Switch between Stable, Beta and Developer Preview Channels in Google Chrome?

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:

Download 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".

Download Link

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 in Browsers, Google Chrome.

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3 Comments

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.