How To Disable the New 'Tab Groups' Button in Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

I am going to teach you how to disable the new Tab Groups button in Google Chrome. Many of us use Chrome every day for work, study, or personal browsing. With constant updates, sometimes a new feature gets added that does not fit with the way we like to browse.

One of these features is the new Tab Groups button. It is designed to help organize your tabs, but not everyone finds it helpful, and it can clutter your interface. If you want a cleaner browsing experience, here is how to remove it.

Change the New Tab page if you are also personalizing the look and behavior of Chrome. Small tweaks add up to a cleaner, faster feel. This setting pairs well with hiding the Tab Groups button.

Why remove it

Tab Groups can assist in keeping your tabs organized by grouping them into categories. This can be convenient in some scenarios. Quite often it just adds unnecessary complexity to your browsing.

Show the bookmarks bar

Look at the top of your browser window and find the bookmarks bar running just below the address bar. It is usually populated with any bookmarks you saved for quick access. If your bookmarks bar is not showing, enable it.

Click the three-dot menu at the top right. Click Bookmarks. Click Show bookmarks bar.

Find the setting

Focus on your bookmarks bar. Find an empty space anywhere along it that does not have any bookmark icons. Right-click this empty area.

A menu appears with options to tailor the bookmarks bar. Look for the option labeled Show Tab Groups. If the Tab Groups feature is visible, you will see a check mark next to this option indicating it is turned on.

Hide the Tab Groups button

To disable the Tab Groups button, click Show Tab Groups to remove the check mark. The Tab Groups button will disappear from your interface immediately. You now have a more streamlined look.

Your bookmarks bar remains intact and ready to use. This quick change reduces clutter without affecting your saved sites. You can always reverse this later.

Fix unwanted new tabs if Chrome keeps opening extra tabs you did not ask for. Cleaning up those triggers pairs nicely with removing distractions like Tab Groups. It helps keep your session focused.

Bring it back

Return to the empty space on your bookmarks bar. Right-click, then click Show Tab Groups again to recheck it. This flexibility is one of the best parts of Chrome’s customization options.

If you are organizing large research sessions, you might decide to turn the button back on temporarily. You can hide it again when you no longer need it. The toggle is instant.

Create a new tab quickly once your toolbar is cleaned up. Keeping your workflow simple helps you stay focused. A tidy bar makes new tabs easier to spot.

Final thoughts

You have successfully hidden the Tab Groups button and reduced visual clutter. The toggle lives on the bookmarks bar context menu, so it is always easy to change. Use this setting to keep Chrome clean and focused on what matters.