Delete a Chrome profile from your computer in three steps
To remove a Chrome profile, open Chrome and click your profile icon in the top right corner (it shows your name or a generic avatar). Select Manage your Google Account, then go to the Data & privacy tab on the left. Scroll down to Data from apps and services, click Delete a service or your account, then select Delete a Google Account. Follow the prompts to confirm. This removes your Google Account and all associated Chrome data.
If you only want to delete the Chrome profile without removing your Google Account, the process is different. Open Chrome, click your profile icon, then click the gear icon next to your profile name. Select Delete profile at the bottom of the window. Chrome will ask you to confirm — click Delete again. Your browsing history, bookmarks, passwords, and other data stored in that profile will be removed from your computer.
On a Mac, the steps are identical. On Windows, the process is the same, though the profile icon location may vary slightly depending on your Chrome version. After deletion, Chrome will return to your remaining profile or create a new default profile if none exist.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a Chrome profile removes all browsing history, bookmarks, passwords, and saved data tied to that profile from your computer.
- You can delete a profile without deleting your Google Account — they are separate actions in Chrome.
- The profile deletion button is in the profile settings menu, accessed through the profile icon in the top right corner.
- Deleting a profile does not affect other profiles on the same computer or your Google Account data stored in the cloud.
- After you delete a profile, Chrome will switch to another existing profile or create a new default one automatically.
Why you might want to delete a Chrome profile
You may delete a profile if you no longer use it, want to separate work and personal browsing, or are preparing to sell or give away your computer. Deleting a profile is also useful if you share a computer with others and want to remove a profile that was set up for someone who no longer uses the device.
Another reason to delete a profile is to start fresh if it has accumulated too much data or if you want to clear out old bookmarks and extensions. Deleting and recreating a profile can sometimes resolve Chrome performance issues, though restarting your browser or clearing your cache often works just as well.
What happens when you delete a Chrome profile
When you delete a profile, Chrome removes all data stored locally on your computer for that profile. This includes your browsing history, bookmarks, saved passwords, autofill information, extensions, and any custom settings you configured. The deletion is permanent on your device.
However, if you were signed into a Google Account in that profile, your data may still exist in your Google Account online. Your Gmail, Google Drive files, and other Google services remain untouched. If you want to remove that data as well, you would need to delete your Google Account separately through your Google Account settings.
Other profiles on the same computer are not affected. If you have a work profile and a personal profile, deleting one leaves the other completely intact with all its data.
How to back up data before deleting a profile
Before you delete a profile, consider saving important bookmarks. To do this, click the three-dot menu in the top right, go to Bookmarks, then select Bookmark manager. Click the three-dot menu in the bookmark manager, choose Export bookmarks, and save the file to your computer. You can later import these bookmarks into another profile.
For passwords, Chrome does not offer a direct export feature for security reasons. If you need to remember passwords before deleting a profile, visit the websites you use most and update your password manager or write them down in a secure location. You can also check your Google Account's Security section to see passwords saved to your account.
If you want to preserve your browsing history, take screenshots of important pages or save them as bookmarks before deletion. Chrome does not provide a way to export full browsing history, so this manual approach is your best option.
Deleting a profile on different devices
On Windows, the deletion process is the same as described above. Open Chrome, click your profile icon, and select Delete profile from the dropdown menu.
On Mac, the steps are identical. Click your profile icon in the top right, then the gear icon, and select Delete profile.
On Chromebook, the process differs slightly because Chromebooks are designed around Google Accounts. To remove a user account from a Chromebook, click the time in the bottom right, select Sign out, then on the login screen, click the profile you want to remove and select the three-dot menu. Choose Remove this user. This removes the entire user account and all associated data from the Chromebook.
What to do if you cannot delete a profile
If the delete option is grayed out or missing, you may be the only profile on your device. Chrome requires at least one profile to exist at all times, so you cannot delete your last remaining profile. Create a new profile first, then you can delete the old one.
To create a new profile, click your profile icon and select Add. Follow the prompts to set up a new profile, then return to your old profile and delete it using the same steps described above.
If you are having trouble accessing the profile menu, try restarting Chrome or your computer. If the problem persists, check that you are using the latest version of Chrome by clicking the three-dot menu, going to Help, and selecting About Google Chrome. Chrome will automatically update if a newer version is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a Chrome profile delete my Gmail or Google Drive?
No. Deleting a Chrome profile only removes data stored on your computer. Your Google Account, Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services remain intact. To delete your Google Account entirely, you must do so through your Google Account settings, which is a separate process.
Can I recover a deleted Chrome profile?
No, deletion is permanent. Once you delete a profile, Chrome does not store a backup. If you synced your profile to your Google Account, some data like bookmarks and passwords may be recoverable through your Google Account settings, but the profile itself cannot be restored.
Will deleting a profile affect other people's profiles on my computer?
No. Each profile on a computer is completely separate. Deleting one profile does not touch any other profiles or their data. Other users can continue using their profiles without any interruption.
What is the difference between deleting a profile and signing out?
Signing out removes your Google Account from the profile but keeps all your local data — bookmarks, history, passwords, and extensions remain on your computer. Deleting a profile removes all that data permanently. Signing out is reversible; deletion is not.
Can I delete a profile if I forgot my password?
Yes. You do not need to know your password to delete a profile from your computer. The delete option is available in the profile settings menu regardless of your sign-in status. However, if you want to delete your Google Account itself, you will need to sign in to your Google Account first.