[Tip] Disable or Remove Google Account Sync Feature in Chrome

Recently a reader asked us how to remove Sync functionality from Google Chrome browser completely? He didn’t want to use it at all. This tutorial will help you in completely disabling and removing Sync feature in Google Chrome web browser. If you use Chrome browser and don’t want to use the built-in Sync feature, you can permanently turn off Sync functionality with the help of this tutorial.

Google Chrome browser allows users to sign in using their Google Account (GMail) (more info) and then users can start syncing bookmarks, browsing history, tabs, preferences (settings), account passwords, apps, extensions, themes, addresses, payment methods and much more from their browser account profile to their Google Account.

This Google Account Sync feature is very useful for people who use Chrome browser on multiple devices. They can start browsing same session without any need of setting up Chrome again and again and sign into websites on different devices.

But if a person uses Chrome on a single device and he doesn’t want to use Sync feature at all due to privacy or security reasons, the Sync feature might be unnecessary for him.

There are many Chrome users who want to completely disable Sync feature so that it doesn’t run in background and no other person can turn it on accidentally.

Although you can turn on/off Sync feature using Chrome Settings page (turn off Sync and Google services -> Allow Chrome sign-in option) but many users want to completely remove the Sync functionality from Chrome.

In this article, we are going to share 2 methods to disable and remove Sync feature in Chrome completely. After applying these methods, Sync feature will be completely disabled in Chrome.

If you also want to turn off Sync functionality in Chrome permanently, following methods will help you:

METHOD 1: Disable Sync Using Registry Editor

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box then type regedit and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

3. Under Policies key, create a new key and set its name to Google. If the key already exists, move to Step 4.

4. Under Google key, create a new key and set its name to Chrome. If the key already exists, move to Step 5.

So the final key path will be:

5. Now select Chrome key and in right-side pane, right-click and select “New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value” option. Set the new DWORD name as SyncDisabled.

6. Double-click on SyncDisabled and set it value to 1.

That’s it. Now open Google Chrome and open Settings page. You’ll see “Your browser is managed by your organization” message showing at the top of the page which indicates that the policy which we applied above has been activated and enabled in Chrome.

Related: [Fix] Your Browser is Managed by Your Organization in Google Chrome

The Sync status will display as “Sync disabled“.

If you click on “Sync and Google services” option, Chrome will show “Sync is disabled by your administrator” message.

Congratulations, you have successfully deactivated and disabled Sync feature in Chrome.

METHOD 2: Disable Sync Using Command-Line Parameter

If you don’t want to apply Registry tweak, you can also use a command-line parameter or flag to launch Google Chrome with Sync feature removed completely.

Google Chrome browser comes with a built-in parameter which can be used to launch Chrome without Sync functionality.

You can create a new shortcut of Chrome using this parameter and use the new shortcut to always open Chrome with Sync feature disabled or removed.

1. Right-click on Google Chrome’s shortcut (present on desktop, start menu, taskbar, etc) and select Properties.

Alternatively, you can create a new shortcut of Google Chrome and open its Properties box.

2. Now add following text at the end of the string present in Target text box:

Remember there must be a blank space between existing text string and the appended string.

3. Click on Apply button and now whenever you’ll launch Google Chrome using this shortcut, it’ll open without Sync feature.

You can check Chrome Settings and Sync feature will be gone forever.

You can now pin the new Chrome shortcut to Taskbar or Start Menu for quick and easy access.

PS: In future, if you want to restore default settings and want to restore Sync feature in Chrome, remove the –disable-sync parameter from Chrome’s shortcut properties.

BONUS TIP: If you don’t want to create a shortcut to always launch Google Chrome without Sync feature but want a way to quickly launch Google Chrome with Sync feature removed whenever you want, you can use following commands in RUN dialog box (WIN+R):

It’ll launch Google Chrome with Sync feature removed whenever you execute this command.

Also Check:

[Tip] Remove Media Controls Button from Google Chrome Toolbar

[Tip] Remove “Extensions” Menu Button from Google Chrome Toolbar

[Tip] Disable or Remove Firefox Account Sync Feature in Mozilla Firefox