Manage Google Chrome Installation Directory Changes

Google Chrome Installation Directories

Google Chrome can be installed in two different locations based on your operating system:

• For 64-bit systems (x64):
  C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application
• For 32-bit systems (x86):
  C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application

Changes Introduced by Updates

Since version 96, Google Chrome might change its default installation directory for new installations. On a 64-bit system, Chrome may now install directly in C:\Program Files instead of C:\Program Files (x86). This change can cause issues if your shortcuts point to the old installation path.

Using mklink to Create a Symbolic Link

The mklink command allows you to create symbolic links, which act as shortcuts at the file system level. Here’s how to use it to redirect your old shortcuts to the new installation directory.

Steps to Follow:

1. Open the command prompt with administrative privileges.
2. Execute the following commands:

set cmdmklink=mklink
if defined PROCESSOR_ARCHITEW6432 set cmdmklink=%SystemRoot%\Sysnative\cmd.exe /c mklink
%cmdmklink% /J "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome" "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome"

Command Explanation:

• set cmdmklink=mklink: Sets the variable cmdmklink to use the mklink command.
• if defined PROCESSOR_ARCHITEW6432 set cmdmklink=%SystemRoot%\Sysnative\cmd.exe /c mklink: If your system is 64-bit, use the cmd.exe tool in the Sysnative folder to execute mklink.
• %cmdmklink% /J "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome" "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome": Creates a symbolic link from C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome to C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome.