Google Chrome is a browser we all have a love-and-hate relationship with. We'll all complain about the way it handles a lot of stuff, but we also cannot live without it. But sometimes, an update makes it difficult to live with it.

The 2023 update for Chrome has left many users feeling that way. Being called the 2023 Design Refresh, the redesign is mostly centered around UI changes.

What does this new update entail? It has introduced a distinct contemporary flair to the browser, evident in its widespread use of rounded corners that now adorn everything from the app window to core interface elements. Even the icons have undergone a revamp, adding to the browser's modern aesthetic.

The redesigned Chrome.

But a change in the aesthetic is not all these updates are aimed at. Chrome has been introducing updates to make the browser touch-friendly. And this update can be considered a culmination of all those efforts. To enhance the touch-friendliness, there's now considerable space between the buttons and larger overall menus. While beneficial for touchscreen users, it has become a source of annoyance for those who do not use touchscreens.

However, the good news is that you can easily rid yourself of your frustrations and get the older Chrome back!

Disable the Chrome Redesign

To get the old Chrome back, you don't need to go back to the older version of Chrome. All you need to do is disable certain flags, and you'll have the old Chrome back.

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your Windows or macOS device.
  2. Then, go to the address bad and type chrome://flags and press Enter.
  1. Chrome's flags menu will open, where you can manage many experimental features, including the 2023 design refresh.

    Go to the search bar at the top and type 'refresh 2023'.
  1. Then, you need to disable these four flags: 'Chrome Refresh 2023', 'Chrome WebUI Refresh 2023', 'Chrome Refresh 2023 New Tab Button', and 'Chrome Refresh 2023 Top Chrome Font Style'.

    Go to the drop-down menu on the right of each flag and select 'Disabled' from the menu.
  1. After disabling all 4 flags, click on the 'Relaunch' button to relaunch Chrome.
  1. The changes will take effect after Chrome reopens.
The old Chrome.

That's about it. If you're not a fan of the new Chrome update, you don't have to suffer it. It's extremely easy to reverse these changes. While you're at it, you can also go to 'Help' from the three-dot menu in Chrome and give your feedback to the team in hopes that they might reverse the changes themselves if enough people dislike it.