FIX: Chrome Always Open the Browse as Guest – Switch Person options at startup.

The tutorial contains instructions on how to prevent Chrome to display the "Switch Person – Browse as Guest" window at startup. Problem in details: On a Windows based computer the Google Chrome browser always open the "Browse as Guest" and "Add person" options at startup and the user has always to select his profile in order to use the Chrome browser.

How to Remove the "Browser As Guest – Add Person" options window at Chrome Startup.

Method 1. Check if Chrome is Set to Always Start in Guest Browsing Mode.

One of most useful features of Google Chrome browser, is to create multiple user profiles, especially if you share your computer with others, or if you want to have separated your bookmarks and settings between your multiple accounts. At this case you can always start Chrome with the "Switch Person" window, by adding one of the following switches (text entries) in Chrome shortcut:

• –profile-directory="Guest Profile"
• –bwsi

So first of all, check if Chrome is set to always open the "Switch Person/Browse as Guest" window. To do that:

1. Close Google Chrome.
2. Right Click on Chrome Shortcut on your desktop and select Properties.
3. At Shortcut tab, look at the Target text box and (if present) remove the above text entries at the end and then click OK.

4. Launch Chrome and at the "Switch Person" window, click at your profile icon/picture ("You").
5. Restart Chrome.

Method 2. Create a New Clean Google Chrome Profile.

By default Chrome stores all Profile settings (bookmarks, passwords, extensions, etc.) inside the "User Data" folder at the following location on your computer:

• C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data

If for some reason, the Chrome Profile folder, becomes corrupted or improperly modified by malware, then the best option you have, is to force Chrome to re-create a new (empty*) Chrome profile folder. To do that:

* Attention: Keep in mind that, by deleting your Chrome profile storage folder you delete all the stored data (Bookmarks, Settings, Extensions, History, etc.) . So prior deleting your Chrome profile, take a backup of your Chrome bookmarks in case that you want to re-install Chrome again.

Step 1: Enable the Hidden files & folders view.

1. Open Folder Options.
2. At View tab, check the Show hidden files, folders, and drives check box and click OK.

Step 2. Force Chrome to Create a New (Clean) Profile Folder.

1. Close Google Chrome.
2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to this location:

• C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\

* Where %USERNAME% = Your Username. (e.g. if your username is "Admin", then you have to navigate to this path: "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome")

3. Rename the "User Data" folder to "User Data.BAK".

4. Now open Google Chrome. (During startup Chrome will create automatically a new clean "User Data" folder to store your bookmarks and settings).

Additional Methods to Resolve Chrome problems.

1. Check your computer for viruses, malware, etc.

2. Completely uninstall and re-install Chrome.

That's all folks! Did it work for you?
Please leave a comment in the comment section below or even better: like and share this blog post in the social networks to help spread the word about this solution.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Repairwin.com. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

Latest posts by Konstantinos Tsoukalas (see all)

• How to Factory Reset and Wipe an Android Device: What You Need to Know - June 12, 2026
• BitLocker Recovery Key: What You Need to Know in 2026 - June 9, 2026
• How to Disable Incognito Mode in Chrome Browser. - June 3, 2026