How to Change the Look of Google Chrome

Google Chrome has only been out for a few short weeks, but already hackers have found ways to mod and hack various elements of the browser. The look and style of the browser was an obvious target, and now you too, can change the look of this brand new browser.

Things You'll Need

• Google theme pack
• Windows PC

Instructions

1. Find a Google Chrome theme that you like. There are plenty of sites hosting these themes, although Free Chrome Themes seems to be the most comprehensive (see Resources).

2. Download the file to your desktop. Generally it will be a compressed or zipped folder. If this is the case, decompress it and give the contents their own folder on the desktop

3. Locate the file that has the name "default.dll." Copy it by right clicking the file and selecting "copy."

4. Go to "My Computer" and open the "Documents and Settings" folder if you are using Windows XP.

5. Select the current (or desired) user folder. From there, open the "Local Settings" folder.

6. Open the "Application Data" folder and select and open the "Google" folder.

7. Open the "Chrome" folder and then open the "Application" folder. You'll see a folder with the "0.2.149.27" filename. Inside that folder is the much-sought after "Themes" folder. This is where (finally) you will paste your theme.

8. Do the exact same thing if you are using Windows Vista, except follow this file path: C:\Users\ your username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\0.2.149.27\Themes.

9. Open Google Chrome. You will now have a shiny new theme.

Tips & Warnings

• In case you want to switch back to your old theme, make sure to make a backup of the original theme file and give it a folder somewhere on your hard drive. It is easiest to make a "themes" folder somewhere to keep everything nice and organized. But since they will all have the same filename, make sure to separate them all by folder and give each folder a descriptive name.

Resources

• Free Chrome themes