Launchpad is a browser extension that adds a customizable app launcher to Chrome — here's how to delete it

Launchpad appears as a grid of app icons in your Chrome browser, usually in the top right corner or as a new tab page. If you installed it and now want to remove it, the process takes about 30 seconds. You can uninstall it completely, or disable it temporarily if you think you might use it again.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you want to remove it entirely or just turn it off. Both methods start in the same place: your Chrome extensions menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome, click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner, find Launchpad in the list, and click the trash icon to delete it permanently.
  • If you want to keep Launchpad but stop it from running, click the toggle switch next to it instead of the trash icon.
  • Launchpad may have changed your Chrome home page or new tab page — you can change these back in Chrome Settings under "On startup" and "Appearance".
  • If you cannot find Launchpad in your extensions list, it may be installed as a search engine or homepage rather than a traditional extension.

Finding and removing Launchpad from your extensions

Open Chrome and look for the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner of your browser window, next to the address bar. Click it. A dropdown menu will appear showing all your installed extensions.

Scroll through the list until you find Launchpad. Once you locate it, you will see a trash icon on the right side of the Launchpad entry. Click the trash icon. Chrome will ask you to confirm the removal — click "Remove" in the popup that appears. Launchpad is now deleted from your browser.

Disabling Launchpad without removing it

If you want to keep Launchpad installed but stop it from running, follow the same first step: click the puzzle-piece icon and find Launchpad in the list. Instead of clicking the trash icon, look for the toggle switch to the right of the extension name. Click it once to turn the extension off.

The toggle will turn gray, indicating that Launchpad is disabled. You can turn it back on anytime by clicking the toggle again. This approach is useful if you are not sure whether you want to keep it permanently, or if you only use it occasionally.

Resetting your home page and new tab page

Launchpad often changes your Chrome home page or new tab page to display its app grid. Removing the extension does not always revert these changes automatically. You may need to reset them manually in Chrome Settings.

Click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner of Chrome (next to the puzzle-piece icon) and select "Settings." In the left sidebar, click "On startup." Look for the option that says "Open a specific page or set of pages" — if Launchpad is listed there, click the X next to it to remove it. Then go back to Settings and click "Appearance" in the left sidebar. Under "Home button," make sure it is set to either "New Tab page" or a website you actually want to see, not Launchpad.

What to do if Launchpad is not in your extensions list

Sometimes Launchpad installs itself as a search engine or homepage rather than as a traditional extension. If you do not see it in your extensions menu, it may be hiding in one of these other places.

Go to Chrome Settings and click "Search engine" in the left sidebar. Look through the list of search engines — if Launchpad appears there, click the three dots next to it and select "Remove from list." Next, check your homepage settings: click "Appearance" and look at the "Home button" option. If Launchpad is set as your home page, change it to "New Tab page" or enter a different website address.

Preventing unwanted extensions from installing in the future

Launchpad often gets installed alongside other software or through misleading download buttons on websites. To avoid this, download software only from official sources — go directly to the developer's website rather than clicking download links from third-party sites.

When installing programs, read each step of the installation wizard carefully. Uncheck any boxes that offer to install browser extensions, change your search engine, or modify your home page. These checkboxes are often pre-selected and easy to miss. You can also review your installed extensions regularly by clicking the puzzle-piece icon — if you see something you do not recognize, remove it immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing Launchpad affect my other Chrome extensions or bookmarks?

No. Removing Launchpad only deletes that one extension. Your bookmarks, passwords, and all other extensions remain unchanged. Chrome will not delete any of your personal data when you uninstall an extension.

Can I remove Launchpad if I do not remember installing it?

Yes. You do not need to know how it got there to remove it. Open the extensions menu, find Launchpad, and click the trash icon. If you are unsure whether you use it, disable it first instead of deleting it — you can always turn it back on or remove it later.

What if Launchpad keeps coming back after I delete it?

This usually means another program on your computer is reinstalling it. Check your installed programs in Windows Control Panel or Mac System Preferences and uninstall anything you do not recognize. You can also run a malware scan using Windows Defender or a third-party tool like Malwarebytes to check for unwanted software.

Is Launchpad safe to use if I want to keep it?

Launchpad itself is not malicious, but it is often bundled with other software without clear consent. If you choose to keep it, monitor your browser settings regularly to make sure it has not changed your search engine or home page without permission.