Google Chrome automatically syncs your bookmarks, passwords, history, and settings when you sign in with your Google account. But what if you want to transfer your entire Chrome profile manually — including extensions, cookies, browsing sessions, and local data — to another PC?
Maybe you’re switching computers, setting up a new workstation, or creating an offline backup. Whatever the reason, manually transferring your Chrome profile ensures the new PC picks up exactly where you left off, even if you don’t want to use Chrome Sync.
If you’re here reading this guide, you’re likely looking for the safest and most complete way to move your Chrome profile from one Windows 11 PC to another. The good news? Chrome stores all your user data in a single profile folder, and transferring it is surprisingly simple once you know where to look.
In this detailed step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to copy your Chrome profile and restore it flawlessly on another Windows 11 machine.
Important Notes Before You Begin
- Chrome must be closed completely on both computers before copying or restoring the profile.
- If Chrome Sync is already enabled, some data may automatically restore — but a manual transfer includes everything, even local items.
- The method works for all Chrome profiles, not just the default one.
1. Locate Your Chrome Profile Folder on the Old PC
Chrome stores all your data in a folder called User Data.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data
- Press Enter.
You’ll now see folders like:
- Default → Your main Chrome profile
- Profile 1, Profile 2, etc. → Additional profiles
If you’re transferring your main profile, copy Default.
If you want a secondary profile, copy the matching folder.
2. Copy the Chrome Profile Folder to a USB Drive or Cloud Storage
- Right-click the Default (or other profile) folder.
- Select Copy.
- Paste it into:
- A USB drive
- An external SSD
- OneDrive / Google Drive / Dropbox
This folder may be large (hundreds of MBs or more) depending on cache and saved data.
3. Install Google Chrome on the New Windows 11 PC
If Chrome isn’t installed yet:
- Visit google.com/chrome.
- Download and install Chrome normally.
Do not launch Chrome yet — this is very important.
4. Open the Chrome User Data Folder on the New PC
- Press Windows + R.
- Type:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data
- Press Enter.
You will see a fresh Default folder (or other profile folders created automatically)
5. Replace the New Chrome Profile With Your Old One
Before replacing:
- Make sure Chrome is closed completely.
- End background Chrome processes using Task Manager if needed.
- Delete the existing Default folder on the new PC.
- Copy your old Default folder from your USB drive or cloud storage.
- Paste it into the User Data directory on the new PC.
Your Chrome profile is now fully transferred.
6. Launch Chrome and Verify Your Data
Open Google Chrome.
You should see:
- All bookmarks
- Browsing history
- Extensions
- Extensions’ data
- Cookies
- Auto-logins for websites
- Saved passwords (if not protected by OS credentials)
- Chrome settings
- Themes
- Autofill data
- Open tabs (if previously saved)
Your Chrome should look identical to your old PC.
7. If You’re Transferring Multiple Profiles
Just repeat the process for each profile:
- Copy Profile 1 → Replace it in the same location
- Copy Profile 2 → Replace accordingly
Make sure the folder names match exactly.
8. Optional: Disable Chrome Sync to Prevent Overwrites
If you want your transferred profile to stay manually managed, disable sync:
- Open Chrome.
- Click your profile icon.
- Open Manage your Google Account (if signed in).
- Turn off Sync.
This ensures your manually copied profile stays untouched.
Wrapping Up
Manually transferring your Chrome profile in Windows 11 is one of the best ways to preserve your entire browser experience exactly as it was on your old PC — without relying on sync or cloud backups. Whether you’re migrating devices or creating a perfect mirror setup, copying your profile folder ensures every bit of data carries over seamlessly.
