Most browsers allow you to set up individual user profiles. This is not only useful when several people use the browser, but also for yourself. For example, you can create separate browser profiles for business and personal use, for example. We’ll show you how to optimize your browser for any job.
All modern browsers can save passwords, track browsing history, and save bookmarks. They also allow you to install all kinds of extensions. That is all nice, but it is less useful if the data of fellow users are also included. With the help of user profiles you can store all this data separately, so that the data does not get in the way of each other. We show you how to do that in Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Chrome: create user profile
To create a (first) user profile, click on the profile icon at the top right you† You can here now Guest if you do not want to save cookies, search or browsing history during this surfing session. This is kind of incognito mode. We only want to work with profiles and so choose + Add† If you want to log in to this profile with a Google account, click on login† Otherwise, press the button Continue without an accountso that bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history are only stored locally in the profile.
Let’s assume the second option. Enter a name or label and choose a theme color. Leave the check mark at Create a shortcut to boot directly from the desktop with this browser profile. Confirm with Finished†
Chrome: Edit
Click on the profile icon again and choose Turn on sync if you still want to synchronize the data with other computers via your Google account. You can adjust your profile name and theme color via the pencil icon. You can also choose a suitable avatar here; there are about thirty models.
You can create even more profiles from the same drop-down menu. You can quickly switch to another profile via the gear icon, for example from your business to your personal profile. By the way, you’ll notice that Chrome starts with this toggle box by default unless you uncheck Show at startup† From this window it is also possible to remove a profile: press the button with the three dots and choose remove†
It was once possible profiles lock with a password, but unfortunately Google has not kept this feature. It is still possible with the free extension LockPW† click on add to Chrome / Add Extension to install it. Launch the extension from your profile and click Next† You can leave the default settings untouched and only enter a password (2x). Confirm with Save† When you now want to open your profile, you will first be asked for your password.
edge
Also in Edge, click on the profile icon at the top right and choose Browse as guest (for more privacy) or Add profile† In the latter case, after your confirmation, you can indicate add whether you want to sign up for the sync of your data or if you prefer to keep everything local. For this click on Start without your data† Select both a Overall view †System Default† light or Dark) like a Theme† Via the button More… you can choose from several nice themes online: click on To download and on Add theme†
Now press Next one and indicate whether you want to pin one or more of the suggested websites to your Windows taskbar. Confirm with Complete: The profile is immediately active.
Click the profile icon again and select Manage profile settings† Here you can adjust all kinds of options and also switch to another profile. Click on the button with the three dots and choose To process to change the profile name or avatar.
Choose remove to delete the profile. To lock your profile with a password, you can also use the Chrome extension LockPW here.
Find more tips for the Edge browser here.
Firefox: wizard
It is also possible to work with user profiles in Firefox. This is slightly less polished than with Chrome or Edge. There are two ways to address the built-in profile manager. If Firefox is already started, tap about:profiles in the address bar. Then click here Create a new profile, so that the Wizard starts. click on Next one and enter a profile name.
All profile data will be saved in the suggested folder unless you change it with Choose folder† In any case, select an empty folder that you will only use for this profile. If you delete this profile afterwards, this entire folder will be emptied. Finish with Complete and the new profile is added.
You can now switch to the desired profile from the profile window. You can do it from here too rename† remove or Set as default profile† If you start the browser with this profile for the first time, you will still have the opportunity to log in with your Firefox account and to choose a color setting (theme).
Firefox: extra
You can also start the profile manager if Firefox is not already open. To do this, press Windows key+R and feed firefox.exe -p from. You can also create, rename and delete profiles in this way. Uncheck Use selected profile without prompting at startup if you want Firefox to ask you which profile you want to work with every time you start up.
You can create shortcuts yourself to start Firefox with a specific user profile. To do this, right click on your desktop and choose New / Shortcut† Bee Specify the location of the item fill in the following:
“C:Program FilesMozilla Firefoxfirefox.exe” -no-remote -p “Computer Total”
Change the path to the correct Firefox installation folder and change “Computer Total” in the desired profile name. Press Next oneenter a meaningful name and press Complete†
Firefox Profile Maker
Firefox Profile Maker is especially interesting for those who want an extra secure profile. as soon as you click Start you get a whole host of configuration options broken down into headings, such as Annoyances† Browser Features† Privacy† Website Tracking† Security and addons† Set everything to your liking by pressing Save & next to click. In the end, several downloads will become available. The webpage states exactly what to do with each download.
This is how you click Download profile.zip to create a user profile based on your choices, then extract the zip archive to an empty folder. Then start the Firefox Profile Manager, choose Create a new profileenter a name and refer via Choose folder to the newly created folder.
