[Tip] Enable Hidden Secret “Stacked Tabs” Feature in Google Chrome
Almost all AskVG readers know that I use Mozilla Firefox as my primary web browser but I also install other popular web browsers such as Google Chrome and Opera for testing purposes. Recently when I posted a tutorial for enabling classic “New Tab” page in new versions of Google Chrome, it inspired me to look around other secret features given in Chrome Flags page.
How to Restore Old Behavior of New Tab Page in Google Chrome
While looking through those hidden secret options, I found one interesting feature which might be very useful for many Google Chrome users.
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Generally when you open too many tabs in Google Chrome, the browser starts shrinking the tabs and one stage comes when only a cross (x) button is displayed on tabs. In such situation you can’t recognize tabs because no page titles are displayed on tabs. It becomes quite irritating and you need to click on each and every tab until you find your desired tab.
On the other hand other web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox do not shrink their tabs to this amount. They shrink the tabs to a pre-defined size and once they reach that size limit, they start stacking new tabs to the right and small arrow icons are shown on the tab bar to navigate between tabs. It helps in easily switching between running tabs.
Now if you want to get a similar feature in Google Chrome web browser, this tutorial will help you.
Today in this tutorial we are going to tell you how to enable a hidden secret feature “Stacked Tabs” in Google Chrome which will bring Mozilla Firefox style tab stacking feature to Google Chrome.
This feature is not enabled by default but can be enabled using hidden “Chrome Flags” page.
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If you are ready to enable this feature, check out following simple steps:
1. First of all type chrome://flags/ in Google Chrome addressbar and press Enter. It’ll open advanced configuration page.
2. Press “Ctrl+F” keys together to launch find box and type following in the find box:
Stacked Tabs
It’ll highlight an option with the same name.
Stacked Tabs Windows
Tabs never shrink, instead they stack on top of each other when there is not enough space. #stacked-tab-strip
3. Click on the “Enable” link given below the option.
4. At the end click on “Relaunch Now” button and once Google Chrome opens, it’ll have the secret stacked tabs feature similar to Mozilla Firefox web browser.
Some Google Chrome users might be already aware of this feature. I found it just now so decided to share it with you all. Feel free to share your comments about this secret feature of Google Chrome…
this trick was here on Chrome for a long time….
and OMGG I LOVE YOUR NEW SITE DESIGN!!!!!
Thanks a lot VG, it works!!
I am a tech geek and I keep a lot of tabs open at the same time.
By the way, does the same apply to chrome ios?
It does not show all tabs properly and I need to swipe continuously.
Help.
Sir I have android version 2.3.6 it not work properly in window xp any suggestion
Chrome should have a feature ‘Don’t load tabs until selected’, like Firefox does. It sure helps with a lot of tabs opened at the same time.
Cool VG, new look, your site now look refreshed. But why did you changed the site name to “AskVG”? “Tweaking with Vishal” was simply amazing as it contained the name of our expert here, yes, that’s Vishal.
Well congrats for the new look dude!
Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions. I’m glad to see that you liked the new look of this blog. Comments and suggestions are always welcomed here. They help me in making this website better .
@Kyle, leomate and Vidit Agrawal
Thanks for your nice words.
@Vidit Agrawal
I was planning to use AskVG as the main blog name since long time as I myself many times refer to this blog with this name. Using 2 names for a single website sometimes confuses people. And this website is already well known by “AskVG” name. Anyway its just a change in name, the website is same.
@Harsh Pathakk
It should work.
@zydrius32
Yeah. Good feature suggestion.
@Dipanjan
I didnt understand your question. Please provide more details.
Thanks Vishal! There is always something to learn and take away from AskVG. Just tried your tip. It is great!!! Keep up the good work. A week cant pass by without checking out your website!
Thank you for this article, I learnt something very useful from you today!
does not show in latest build Version 38.0.2100.0 canary or Version 38.0.2096.0 dev-m
This is no longer working. “Stacked Tabs” is no longer in the “Flags” list of changeable settings.
“This is no longer working. “Stacked Tabs” is no longer in the “Flags” list of changeable settings.”
where is it now?
@rafo: Nowhere. It has been removed for reason x, as per the warning on the flags setting page: “WARNING These experimental features may change, break, or disappear at any time.”
I have Windows 10 and there is no option for stacked tabs on the chrome flags.
Do you have any other possibilities that I could try?
I have a RCA tablet, the tabs used to show but they are hidden and I have no idea what I did but would love to have the tabs back. Right now if I want to open something it tells me I need to close some of the tabs that I cant get to. Can you help me, I am not using firefox or mozilla
Not working for chrome version 54. Can you update it?
This one is aslo not showing up in newest chrome browser
This doesn’t work. I am trying to figure out why task manager says I have 17 tabs open in chrome but when I open my browser I only see five. Please Help!
Not found this option in 78.0.3904.70.