You can stop Chrome from opening new windows by checking your settings and ensuring the "Open each selected result in a new browser window" option is unchecked.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
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Open Chrome Settings: Click on the three vertical dots (the Chrome menu) in the top-right corner of the Chrome window and select "Settings."
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Navigate to Advanced Settings: In the Settings menu, scroll down and click on "Advanced."
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Find the "Open links" Setting: Look for a section related to how Chrome handles opening links. It might be under "Accessibility" or "Browsing."
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Disable the New Window Option: You're looking for a setting that specifically says something like "Open each selected result in a new browser window" or "Open external links in a new window." Make sure this option is unchecked (turned off).
Why is Chrome opening new windows?
Sometimes a browser extension or a specific website setting can override your default Chrome settings. If the above solution doesn't work, consider the following:
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Check Your Extensions: Disable any extensions that might be related to tab or window management to see if one of them is causing the issue. Go to
chrome://extensions/to manage your extensions. Disable them one by one to identify the culprit. -
Website-Specific Settings: Some websites have custom settings that force links to open in new windows. If this only happens on certain websites, there might not be a general solution.
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Malware or Unwanted Software: In rare cases, malware can alter browser behavior. Run a malware scan using a reputable antivirus program. Chrome also has a built-in malware scanner:
Settings > Reset and clean up > Clean up computer. -
Operating System Settings: While less common, your operating system's settings can sometimes influence how applications handle links. This is unlikely to be the root cause if the problem only occurs in Chrome.
By checking your Chrome settings, disabling potentially problematic extensions, and scanning for malware, you should be able to prevent Chrome from unnecessarily opening new windows.
