Chrome Browser is an open-source browser developed by Google. The beta phase was launched on September 2, 2008, and the first stable version was released on December 11 of the same year. The company evolved the browser for various types of operating systems, both for PCs such as Windows, Mac, and Linux or Smartphone systems such as iOS and Android. The browser combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the Web faster, safer, and easier. And now with almost 70 percent market share, Google Chrome is by far the most popular browser all over the world.
Recently, Google released Chrome version 138, which addresses several security gaps and enhances the overall browsing experience. This update introduces the ability to sync tab groups between desktop and mobile devices. It also adds new CSS functions and built-in AI APIs for summarizing, translating, and detecting language, simplifying the integration of AI features for developers. Additional improvements include text search and selection in scanned PDFs, new capabilities for foldable devices via the Viewport Segments API, and expanded support for video orientation controls in WebCodecs.
Along with these changes, Chrome 138 also includes important bug fixes and resolves extension compatibility issues. Notably, this update includes 11 security fixes to strengthen user safety.
If you have Google Chrome browser installed on your device, it’s recommended to update the browser to the new version as soon as possible to protect it from attacks that exploit the recently patched security vulnerabilities.
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What’s New in Google Chrome 138
The latest Chrome 138 introduces built-in AI APIs that allow developers to add translation, summarization, and language detection capabilities to their web applications. These APIs can be used to create a more inclusive and efficient browsing experience for users.
In addition to AI features, Chrome 138 introduces several new CSS functions. These include the sign-related functions abs() and sign(), which compute various functions related to the sign of their argument.
The progress() functional notation returns a value representing the position of one calculation between two other calculations. The sibling-index() and sibling-count() functions can be used as integers in CSS property values to style elements based on their position among their siblings or the total number of siblings.
Another notable feature in Chrome 138 is the Viewport Segments API, which allows developers to target foldable devices. This API creates viewport segments when the viewport is split by hardware features such as a fold or a hinge between separate displays.
Chrome 138 also brings improvements to the Performance panel in Chrome DevTools. The Performance > Insights > Network dependency tree insight now shows a list of used or unused preconnected origins and preconnect candidates, if any. This helps developers optimize page load speed by establishing early connections to important third-party origins.
The Performance > Insights > Document request latency insight now shows server response time and, if any, the number of redirects and redirection time. The Performance panel now displays redirect URLs in the Summary of network requests and in their tooltips.
The latest Chrome version 138 also includes 11 security fixes, with several contributed by external researchers. One of the notable fixes is a medium-risk use-after-free vulnerability in the animation component, which was reported by Lyra Rebane. Additionally, the Enhanced Safe Browsing feature is now synced across devices, providing stronger and more consistent security protection for users who opt in.
For enterprise users, Chrome 138 introduces new policies and features to enhance management and security. The AI assistance panel exposes an internal API that simplifies the use of AI assistance panel features by external tools. This update also includes a new Generative AI (GenAI) feature for unmanaged users, offering insights and assistance within the browser.
Chrome 138 also improves the user experience with new tab page cards for Microsoft 365, making it easier for users to access their Microsoft 365 applications directly from the new tab page.
Furthermore, the browser now allows users to synchronize not only passwords but also tab groups between their desktop and mobile devices, enhancing the overall browsing experience
The browser now supports the stretch keyword for CSS sizing properties, allowing elements to grow to exactly fill their containing block’s available space. This feature is similar to 100%, but it applies the resulting size to the element’s margin box instead of the box indicated by box-sizing.
Update to Chrome 138
If you have already installed Chrome on your system, updating it to the latest version is easy.
- Open Google Chrome on your computer
- Click on the vertical three dots at the top right of the window, this will open the Chrome menu.
- Under the menu, go to Help –> About Google Chrome. This will trigger Google Updates and will check for new updates automatically.
- Also, you can type chrome://settings/help on the address bar and press the Enter key to update Chrome 138.
Google Chrome for Android and iOS versions are updated through the official Google Play Store and App Store. The Android update for Chrome includes the same security fixes as the desktop version.
Download Chrome 138 offline installer
Note: The offline installer links do not include the automatic update feature.
Download Chrome web installer: 32-bit | 64-bit | Freeware.
Download: Google Chrome MSI Installers for Windows (automatic update)
Download: Google Chrome 138 Portable
Why is Chrome the best browser for Windows 11?
It’s a fast, simple, and the most secure web browser built for the modern web. If you would like a single experience across every Internet-connected device you own, Chrome is your best option.
We can say it’s the most secure browser offering security against malicious software and “phishing”, among others. The latest Chrome introduced real-time blacklisting of malicious sites via the Safe Browsing API. And the company regularly releases auto-updates to make sure you have all the latest security fixes and more.
The main goal of the browser is the speed of navigation, from its implementation to the loading of complex web applications. This is the fastest browser available so far. It’s quick to start up from your desktop, loads web pages in a snap, and runs complex web applications lightning fast.
What’s more, you can access bookmarks, open tabs, and history from any device that is compatible with Chrome.
Signing in to Chrome brings your bookmarks, history, and other settings to any device that is compatible with Chrome. It also automatically signs you into all your favourite Google services as well.
We can say it is designed as simple as possible, allowing you to focus on what you need to do.
The browser has its own manager that tells you what resources are used and on what pages. You can access the Chrome task manager using the keyboard shortcut shift + Esc.
Some of the most useful New Features on Chrome
From generative themes to tab group suggestions, Chrome 138 got a ton of innovative features to make browsing even better.
A new way to customize your toolbar
Pin your favorite features and shortcuts as toolbar buttons.
- At the top of your browser, select Chrome menu > More Tools > Customize Chrome.
- From the side panel, review the list of toolbar buttons that make it easy to quickly access things like bookmarks, print, search with Google Lens, and more.
- Choose the toolbar buttons you want to pin and they will appear in your toolbar.
Improve your browser performance with one click
Chrome automatically suggests that tabs using extra resources become inactive, so the tab you’re currently using gets a performance boost.
- When Chrome finds tabs using extra resources, you’ll get a performance alert.
- Click Fix now to make the listed tabs inactive.
Now, you can easily and securely share a copy of a password with your family group in Google Password Manager on your phone.
- iOS
- Tap the Chrome menu > Password Manager.
- Select the password you want to share, then tap Share.
- Select family members to share your passwords with.
- Android
- Tap the Chrome menu > Settings > Password Manager.
- Under Search passwords, select the password you want to share, then tap Share.
- Select family members to share your passwords with.
Scan the QR Code to get Chrome on your phone.
Check out more quickly and securely with autofill
Fill in your full payment card details the same way you unlock your device – with a fingerprint, face scan, or screen lock PIN – instead of entering your card security code.
- Go to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Payment methods.
- Select Manually verify every time you pay using autofill to use your biometrics the next time you checkout.
Search anything you see on any page with Google Lens
Google Lens in Chrome makes it easy to search anything you see on your screen. Search within a video you’re watching, a slide in a livestream, or an image on a webpage. Google Lens will give you answers right there, in your tab, and you can continue browsing with the new information you’ve found.
- Open the Chrome menu.
- Select Search with Google Lens.
- Select anything on the page by clicking and dragging anywhere on the page.
- Refine the answers by typing in the search box in the side panel.
- For quicker access, click Pin in the side panel to add the icon to your toolbar.
Chat with Gemini from the address bar
You can quickly get help from Gemini with creative and complex tasks, like planning a trip or learning more about a new topic with this new shortcut in Chrome.
- Type “@” in the address bar and select Chat with Gemini.
- Write your prompt.
- Get your response on gemini.google.com.
The latest Chrome update is both feature-rich and security-focused, primarily fixes security vulnerabilities. The company noted that Google Chrome 138 patches 8 different security issues. However, it will not support systems running Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
It is recommended to install the update ASAP to protect the browser and system from potential exploits.
How to install Chrome on Windows 11/10
Installing Google Chrome 138 is as simple as downloading it. Just run the installer downloaded from the abovementioned download links. Chrome starts differently depending upon the version of Windows you’re using. Let’s see, we install Chrome using a web installer.
First, visit the Chrome official site and click the Download Chrome button
- The next screen brings up the terms and service screen,
- Read the terms and license agreement, then click the accept and install button to download the web setup file of Chrome.
- Now open the download location, right-click on chromeSetup.exe and select run as administrator,
- This will take less than a minute (depending on your internet speed) to complete the download and installation process.
Once done
Windows 10 or 11: A Chrome window opens after everything is done. You can make Chrome your default browser.
You have successfully installed Google Chrome on Windows 10.
Where to Find More Information:
- Chrome Releases Blog: For official announcements and general release information: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/
- Chrome for Developers: For detailed information on developer-focused updates, visit https://developer.chrome.com/
- Chrome Enterprise and Education Release Notes: For enterprise-specific changes: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/7679408?hl=en
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