Where did the Google Chrome Cupcake Go?

The Dev Channel of Google Chrome (pre-release versions not seen by most people) recently introduced multiprofile features (the “Chrome Cupcake”). Now, some people on Windows have seen that disappear. Others did not see it in the first place. The multiprofile features are still there and better than ever… they’re just hidden now.

(If you want to try cutting-edge features before the general Chrome releases, go to the Chrome Release Channels and click the “Dev Channel” link under your favored operating system. But be warned… they’re Dev because they may have bugs and are not ready for public release.)

If you did have Google Chrome (Dev Channel) and you updated recently, you will find that the cupcake icon in the corner is gone. The sudden disappearance of the Chrome multiprofile feature thrilled some and upset others. It looks like it may have been an accident, since the feature is still there, but looks substantially different now.

There are far more icons now: the old ones, like the suitcase and lab flask are gone, replaced by various human faces, a fancier-looking cupcake, a ninja, a cat, a dog, pizza, etc. Now there are 20 icons to choose from (although you are still limited to those–you cannot add your own images), which is a lot more than before.

How do you see those? You need to add the --multi-profiles command line switch.

In Windows, follow these steps:

1. Open the start menu
2. Search for “chrome” and drag it to the desktop (do NOT use the icon that says “Internet Google Chrome,” just use the normal Google Chrome icon)
3. Right-click your copy and click “properties”
4. In the “target” field, add --multi-profiles to the end of the field.
5. Click OK
6. Double-click the icon you modified

Now you should be able to see your multi-profile features again!