Downgrade and Install the Older Version of the Chrome browser

The Chrome browser doesn’t have the option to roll back the installed build to the previous version. We need to uninstall and download the older version to install manually.

Before installing the old version, we need to delete the saved user data files and stop the auto-update service on the computer.

Editor’s Note: This guide uses the Windows computer for downgrade to the previous version. For Mac & Linux, you should download the older setup file from any third-party repository and delete the existing application file.

Step 1: Uninstall the Chrome app

Since it’s not a system app like Microsoft Edge on Windows or Safari on macOS, we can uninstall the Chrome browser from the Control Panel. Here are the steps to uninstall:

1. Bring up the Run dialog box via Windows + R shortcut keys.
2. Type in appwiz.cpl and hit Enter.
   It shall open the Control Panel with the installed application.
3. Select Google Chrome from the list, and hit on the Uninstall command.
   
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to uninstall.

It will remove the Chrome installation from the computer.

Step 2: Delete the Saved Chrome Data using File Explorer

While you have successfully uninstalled Chrome, some of its data might still be present. It might conflict when you are installing an older build. Hence, it is recommended that these old data files be deleted. Here are the steps to delete Chrome user data:

1. Open File Explorer on your Windows PC.
2. Head over to the below location:

   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data

   You find any remaining files and folders after uninstalling the Chrome browser.

3. Select All files/folders and send them to the Recycle Bin.
   

You can also permanently delete these files if required.

Step 3: Download the Older Version of the Chrome app

There is no official repository from where you could get your hands on an older build of this browser. However, there do exist some handy alternatives that you could refer to. These include the likes of FileHippo, Chromium Cypress, etc.

Firstly, check the installed version of Chrome app and ensure to download the preferred previous version from any of third-party sites. You can follow on-screen instructions to install the app.

Step 4: Disable the Chrome Auto-Updates Services

The browser doesn’t have a built-in option to disable the auto-update features. So, you would have to take the help of the Windows Services page and disable the ones responsible for Chrome’s automatic updates. Here are the steps:

1. Bring up the Run dialog box via Windows + R shortcut keys.
2. Type in msconfig command, and hit OK button.
   It will open the Microsoft System Configuration window.
3. Switch the Services tab and uncheck the Hide all Microsoft Services option at the bottom left.
4. Next, uncheck the options for Google Update Service (gupdate) and Google Update Service (gupdatem).
   
5. Hit on Apply > OK to close the window.
6. Restart your PC to make these changes effective.

We have successfully disabled the Google Update Service that will essentially be used for auto-updates. Now, Google won’t be updated to the next or current available. However, we can still manually visit About Chrome to update.

Bottom Line

While downgrading might lead to a few security risks and losing out the latest features, in some instances, if it becomes an absolute necessity then you can consider downgrade as an option.

Make sure to wipe out the old Chrome browser data and auto-update is turned off, else the browser will automatically download and install the latest build.