Moving Chrome Portable to Another Computer: Settings Corrupted Program?
Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers in the world, known for its speed, security, and versatility. However, if you’re using the portable version of Chrome and need to move it to another computer, you might run into issues with your settings or even encounter a corrupted program. In this article, we will discuss the key concepts and steps involved in moving Chrome portable to another computer while ensuring that your settings remain intact.
What is Chrome Portable?
Chrome Portable is a version of Google Chrome that can be installed on a USB drive or any other portable storage device. This means you can take your browser and its settings with you wherever you go and use it on any computer without leaving any traces behind. Chrome Portable is built using Chromium builds and runs the same way as the regular version of Chrome.
Why Do Settings Get Corrupted?
Settings can get corrupted for various reasons, including hardware or software issues, virus infections, or even user errors. When moving Chrome Portable to another computer, it’s crucial to ensure that the settings are copied correctly to avoid any corruption. If the settings do get corrupted, you might experience problems such as lost bookmarks, extensions not working, or profile data being lost.
Moving Chrome Portable to Another Computer
Moving Chrome Portable to another computer involves copying the entire directory containing the Chrome Portable files to the new computer. However, to ensure that your settings remain intact, you need to follow these steps:
- Close Chrome Portable on the source computer.
- Open the Chrome Portable directory and locate the “User Data” folder. This folder contains all the settings, bookmarks, and other data associated with your Chrome Portable profile.
- Copy the “User Data” folder to the new computer, making sure to place it in the same location within the Chrome Portable directory.
- Launch Chrome Portable on the new computer by running chrome.exe with the following command line arguments:
chrome.exe --user-data-dir=user\_a.works.chrome-win<\|-Dictionaries<\|-locales<\|- ... <\|-user\_a\<-use...
By specifying the “–user-data-dir” argument, you’re telling Chrome Portable to use the “User Data” folder you copied over, ensuring that your settings and other data are preserved.
Preventing Settings Corruption
To prevent settings corruption in the future, you should:
- Regularly back up your “User Data” folder to a cloud storage service or another portable storage device.
- Run a reputable antivirus program on your computer and regularly scan for malware and viruses.
- Avoid making changes to Chrome Portable’s settings unless you’re sure of what you’re doing.
- Keep your version of Chrome Portable up to date by downloading the latest version from the Chromium builds website.
Moving Chrome Portable to another computer while preserving your settings can be done by copying the “User Data” folder within the Chrome Portable directory to the new computer and specifying its location using the “–user-data-dir” command line argument. By regularly backing up your data, running antivirus software, and keeping your software up to date, you can prevent settings corruption and ensure a smooth browsing experience.
References
- Chromium builds website: https://www.chromium.org/getting-involved/download
- Google Chrome Help: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95583?hl=en
- How to Geek: https://www.howtogeek.com/168744/how-to-install-google-chrome-on-a-flash-drive-and-use-it-on-any-computer/