From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

My Google Chrome has changed, I guess with an update. There are two
main changes: there is no search bar in the middle of the page and the shortcuts are now my most visited sites and there isn't an "add
shortcut" button.

I have tried Chrome help but I don't have what it says e.g. there is
nothing at the bottom of the home page, so obvs nothing to click on or I
can get to "add shortcut" but it doesn't add it to the Chrome page but
to a folder on my PC instead.

Does anyone have a link to someone who really understands Chrome? Or is
such a person here?

I don't want to go back to Firefox as it changed from what I liked, plus
it clashed with some other programs.

I mostly like Chrome and am asking for help with Chrome!

TIA
--
Jane
The Amethyst Artist
BTME

http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/umra/cookbook.htm - Umrats' recipes










--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

On 01/09/2026 09:59, Jane Vernon wrote:

My Google Chrome has changed, I guess with an update.-a There are two
main changes: there is no search bar in the middle of the page and the shortcuts are now my most visited sites and there isn't an "add
shortcut" button.

I have tried Chrome help but I don't have what it says e.g. there is
nothing at the bottom of the home page, so obvs nothing to click on or I
can get to "add shortcut" but it doesn't add it to the Chrome page but
to a folder on my PC instead.

Does anyone have a link to someone who really understands Chrome?-a Or is such a person here?

I don't want to go back to Firefox as it changed from what I liked, plus
it clashed with some other programs.

I mostly like Chrome and am asking for help with Chrome!

TIA

Which version have you got? Mine is

Chrome is up to date
Version 152.0.7977.65 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Can you do the old uninstall/reinstall thing? As soon as you sign in
your bookmarks etc will reappear.
--
Kate B
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

On 01/09/2026 11:15, Kate B wrote:

On 01/09/2026 09:59, Jane Vernon wrote:

My Google Chrome has changed, I guess with an update.-a There are two
main changes: there is no search bar in the middle of the page and the
shortcuts are now my most visited sites and there isn't an "add
shortcut" button.

I have tried Chrome help but I don't have what it says e.g. there is
nothing at the bottom of the home page, so obvs nothing to click on or I
can get to "add shortcut" but it doesn't add it to the Chrome page but
to a folder on my PC instead.

Does anyone have a link to someone who really understands Chrome?-a Or is
such a person here?

I don't want to go back to Firefox as it changed from what I liked, plus
it clashed with some other programs.

I mostly like Chrome and am asking for help with Chrome!

TIA

Which version have you got? Mine is

Chrome is up to date
Version 152.0.7977.65 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Version 152.0.7977.65, so is mine.>

Can you do the old uninstall/reinstall thing? As soon as you sign in
your bookmarks etc will reappear.

Yes, I have done that. But it's worse than ever. I now no longer have
the grid of dots that allows me to access mail, calendar, etc etc. I
can ask Google where is my calendar and go to the right place and then I
have the grid, but otherwise not :(
--
Jane
The Amethyst Artist
BTME

http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/umra/cookbook.htm - Umrats' recipes








--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

On 2026/9/1 11:37:57, Jane Vernon wrote:

On 01/09/2026 11:15, Kate B wrote:

On 01/09/2026 09:59, Jane Vernon wrote:

My Google Chrome has changed, I guess with an update.-a There are two

I use Edge, but I always understood that's more or less Chrome.

main changes: there is no search bar in the middle of the page and the

At first, I thought you meant the Find box, which I get with Ctrl-F; but
then I read your "in the middle of the page", by which I presume you
mean the Google home page, https://www.google.com/ (or .co.uk, which now redirects to .com anyway). What page are you looking at?

shortcuts are now my most visited sites and there isn't an "add

By "shortcuts", do you mean in the bar across the top of the browser
window - under the address bar - or things somewhere in the body of the
page?

shortcut" button.

For me, the star at the right end of the address bar is "Add this page
to favourites" (it even spells it properly!); it's a star outline if I
hadn't alreadt added it to one of my favourites folders, or a filled
blue (and the tooltip is "Edit favourite for this page") if I have.
Apparently Ctrl-D would do it as well, but I have something else
(ClipDiary) on that.

I have tried Chrome help but I don't have what it says e.g. there is
nothing at the bottom of the home page, so obvs nothing to click on or I

by "the home page", again, do you mean www.google.com?

can get to "add shortcut" but it doesn't add it to the Chrome page but
to a folder on my PC instead.

I'm a bit confused; I use "shortcut" and "favo(u)rite" interchangeably,
as well as "bookmark"; it sounds as if you mean something else by
shortcut. I've never had any shortcuts on the Google pages; I've always
used the favourites bar, which allows me to access them whatever page
I'm looking at, without having to bring up the Google page first.

But I see there _is_ a function to have such shortcuts on "the home
page"; it seems to be something to do with the "Customise" icon, which
in Edge is a gearwheel at top right, and apparently in Chrome is a
pencil at bottom right, which has a Shortcuts section that can be
scrolled down to.

Does anyone have a link to someone who really understands Chrome?-a Or is >>> such a person here?

Sorry, I see now (above was from asking Google) that Chrome and Edge
_are_ different.
[]

Which version have you got? Mine is

Chrome is up to date
Version 152.0.7977.65 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Microsoft Edge is up to date.
Version 152.0.4191.53 (Official build) (64-bit)

here. Obviously very similar!
[]

Yes, I have done that. But it's worse than ever. I now no longer have
the grid of dots that allows me to access mail, calendar, etc etc. I
can ask Google where is my calendar and go to the right place and then I have the grid, but otherwise not :(

I don't recognise what you mean by grid, and have never accessed mail
via browser (well, I have, but I know I'm doing so, because I'm going to
a web page with webmail or similar in the URL, like https://webmail.greenby.com/ or https://webmail.plus.net/).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"Bugger," said Pooh, feeling very annoyed.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

On 01/09/2026 11:37, Jane Vernon wrote:

On 01/09/2026 11:15, Kate B wrote:

On 01/09/2026 09:59, Jane Vernon wrote:

My Google Chrome has changed, I guess with an update.-a There are two
main changes: there is no search bar in the middle of the page and the
shortcuts are now my most visited sites and there isn't an "add
shortcut" button.

I have tried Chrome help but I don't have what it says e.g. there is
nothing at the bottom of the home page, so obvs nothing to click on or I >>> can get to "add shortcut" but it doesn't add it to the Chrome page but
to a folder on my PC instead.

Does anyone have a link to someone who really understands Chrome?-a Or is >>> such a person here?

I don't want to go back to Firefox as it changed from what I liked, plus >>> it clashed with some other programs.

I mostly like Chrome and am asking for help with Chrome!

TIA

Which version have you got? Mine is

Chrome is up to date
Version 152.0.7977.65 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Version 152.0.7977.65, so is mine.>

Can you do the old uninstall/reinstall thing? As soon as you sign in
your bookmarks etc will reappear.

Yes, I have done that.-a But it's worse than ever.-a I now no longer have the grid of dots that allows me to access mail, calendar, etc etc.-a I
can ask Google where is my calendar and go to the right place and then I have the grid, but otherwise not :(

Aaargh. Then I am at a loss. Is this on Windows 11?

Have you seen this? https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/146704899?hl=en&msgid=146708566
--
Kate B
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

On 01/09/2026 11:37, Jane Vernon wrote:

Which version have you got? Mine is

Chrome is up to date
Version 152.0.7977.65 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Version 152.0.7977.65, so is mine.>

Can you do the old uninstall/reinstall thing? As soon as you sign in
your bookmarks etc will reappear.

Yes, I have done that.-a But it's worse than ever.-a I now no longer have the grid of dots that allows me to access mail, calendar, etc etc.-a I
can ask Google where is my calendar and go to the right place and then I have the grid, but otherwise not EfOU

You've got me worried now because my Chrome is working OK (with just one
major fault - see below) so I looked to see what version I had and it
says "Nearly up to date! Relaunch Chrome to finish updating.
Version 151.0.7922.174 (Official Build) (64-bit)"

As I'm not aware of having clicked an "Update Chrome" button (I update
Windows when I'm told to do so) I don't know how long it might have been saying that but I use Chrome every day so if it updates automatically it
will have done so this morning. I am now wary of telling it to update
in case it does what yours is doing.

The one problem I do have is that for a few weeks now I have had no
sound in Chrome unless I re-start Windows. It's not a huge
inconvenience because I just automatically click Power-Restart as soon
as Windows opens first thing.
--
Jenny M Benson
Wrexham, UK
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

On 01/09/2026 13:24, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

On 2026/9/1 11:37:57, Jane Vernon wrote:

On 01/09/2026 11:15, Kate B wrote:

On 01/09/2026 09:59, Jane Vernon wrote:

My Google Chrome has changed, I guess with an update.-a There are two

I use Edge, but I always understood that's more or less Chrome.

main changes: there is no search bar in the middle of the page and the

At first, I thought you meant the Find box, which I get with Ctrl-F; but
then I read your "in the middle of the page", by which I presume you
mean the Google home page, https://www.google.com/ (or .co.uk, which now redirects to .com anyway). What page are you looking at?

shortcuts are now my most visited sites and there isn't an "add

By "shortcuts", do you mean in the bar across the top of the browser
window - under the address bar - or things somewhere in the body of the
page?

shortcut" button.

For me, the star at the right end of the address bar is "Add this page
to favourites" (it even spells it properly!); it's a star outline if I
hadn't alreadt added it to one of my favourites folders, or a filled
blue (and the tooltip is "Edit favourite for this page") if I have. Apparently Ctrl-D would do it as well, but I have something else
(ClipDiary) on that.

I have tried Chrome help but I don't have what it says e.g. there is
nothing at the bottom of the home page, so obvs nothing to click on or I

by "the home page", again, do you mean www.google.com?

can get to "add shortcut" but it doesn't add it to the Chrome page but >>>> to a folder on my PC instead.

I'm a bit confused; I use "shortcut" and "favo(u)rite" interchangeably,
as well as "bookmark"; it sounds as if you mean something else by
shortcut. I've never had any shortcuts on the Google pages; I've always
used the favourites bar, which allows me to access them whatever page
I'm looking at, without having to bring up the Google page first.

But I see there _is_ a function to have such shortcuts on "the home
page"; it seems to be something to do with the "Customise" icon, which
in Edge is a gearwheel at top right, and apparently in Chrome is a
pencil at bottom right, which has a Shortcuts section that can be
scrolled down to.

Does anyone have a link to someone who really understands Chrome?-a Or is >>>> such a person here?

Sorry, I see now (above was from asking Google) that Chrome and Edge
_are_ different.
[]

Which version have you got? Mine is

Chrome is up to date
Version 152.0.7977.65 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Microsoft Edge is up to date.
Version 152.0.4191.53 (Official build) (64-bit)

here. Obviously very similar!
[]

Yes, I have done that. But it's worse than ever. I now no longer have
the grid of dots that allows me to access mail, calendar, etc etc. I
can ask Google where is my calendar and go to the right place and then I
have the grid, but otherwise not :(

I don't recognise what you mean by grid, and have never accessed mail
via browser (well, I have, but I know I'm doing so, because I'm going to
a web page with webmail or similar in the URL, like https://webmail.greenby.com/ or https://webmail.plus.net/).

Sorry, jpeg, too many questions which don't actually relate to what I
was asking! I was using terms as used by Google. I have no idea how
that relates to the way you use them.
--
Jane
The Amethyst Artist
BTME

http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/umra/cookbook.htm - Umrats' recipes








--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

On 01/09/2026 13:29, Kate B wrote:

On 01/09/2026 11:37, Jane Vernon wrote:

On 01/09/2026 11:15, Kate B wrote:

On 01/09/2026 09:59, Jane Vernon wrote:

My Google Chrome has changed, I guess with an update.-a There are two
main changes: there is no search bar in the middle of the page and the >>>> shortcuts are now my most visited sites and there isn't an "add
shortcut" button.

I have tried Chrome help but I don't have what it says e.g. there is
nothing at the bottom of the home page, so obvs nothing to click on
or I
can get to "add shortcut" but it doesn't add it to the Chrome page but >>>> to a folder on my PC instead.

Does anyone have a link to someone who really understands Chrome?
Or is
such a person here?

I don't want to go back to Firefox as it changed from what I liked,
plus
it clashed with some other programs.

I mostly like Chrome and am asking for help with Chrome!

TIA

Which version have you got? Mine is

Chrome is up to date
Version 152.0.7977.65 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Version 152.0.7977.65, so is mine.>

Can you do the old uninstall/reinstall thing? As soon as you sign in
your bookmarks etc will reappear.

Yes, I have done that.-a But it's worse than ever.-a I now no longer
have the grid of dots that allows me to access mail, calendar, etc
etc.-a I can ask Google where is my calendar and go to the right place
and then I have the grid, but otherwise not :(

Aaargh. Then I am at a loss. Is this on Windows 11?

Have you seen this? https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/146704899?hl=en&msgid=146708566

Yes I think so. I, too, am at a loss. If I type google.co.uk into the omnibox (grrrr) I get the search bar in the middle of the page but no shortcuts. Maybe the shortcuts on the Google home page are a thing of
the past and I should just open a new folder of shortcuts I'm likely to
need.

Thanks for assistance offered!
--
Jane
The Amethyst Artist
BTME

http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/umra/cookbook.htm - Umrats' recipes








--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

On 2026/9/2 10:22:27, Jane Vernon wrote:
[]

Yes I think so. I, too, am at a loss. If I type google.co.uk into the

Address bar?

omnibox (grrrr) I get the search bar in the middle of the page but no shortcuts. Maybe the shortcuts on the Google home page are a thing of
the past and I should just open a new folder of shortcuts I'm likely to need.

Thanks for assistance offered!

I put shortcuts on the Google home page into the "This exact word or phrase" box (which is the same as putting "shortcuts on the Google home
page", i. e. with the quotes, into the normal search box), and got: ========================================================================
You can customize shortcuts on your Google Chrome new tab page by
clicking the Customize Chrome button and managing the shortcuts section. [YouTube link]

How to Add and Manage Shortcuts in Chrome
rCo *Open a new tab* in your browser.
rCo Click *Customize Chrome* (often a pencil or settings icon in the
corner) to open the side panel.
rCo Scroll to *Shortcuts* and choose between *My shortcuts* (sites you
pick) or *Most visited sites* (sites you visit often).
rCo Click *Add shortcut* under the search box, then enter the name and web address to add a new one.
rCo Hover over any existing shortcut and click the *three dots* to edit or remove it. [YouTube link]

If you meant something else, like keyboard shortcuts for searching or
shortcuts on the mobile app home screen, let me know! ========================================================================
Does that help? the "Scroll ..." line sounds like the fault you
described (a way to choose between much-visited sites and something else).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

A biochemist walks into a student bar and says to the barman: "I'd like
a pint of adenosine triphosphate, please."
"Certainly," says the barman, "that'll be ATP."
(Quoted in) The Independent, 2013-7-13
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2