The Tab Search Redesign
Google Chrome features a “Tab Search” button, usually located in the top-left or top-right corner of the window (represented by a small downward-facing arrow or a magnifying glass). This tool allows users with dozens of open tabs to quickly search through them by typing a keyword, rather than hunting for a tiny favicon. Google frequently tests different layouts and visual styles for this specific dropdown menu. The “Use the new Tab Search UI” experimental flag dictates whether Chrome renders the classic, compact search menu or a newer, redesigned version that might include larger text, different spacing, or integrated recently closed tabs.
While redesigns are meant to improve usability, they can sometimes introduce visual bugs, consume more screen real estate, or alter the keyboard navigation flow that power users rely on. If a recent Chrome update silently activated a new, clunky Tab Search interface that feels slower or harder to read than the old version, you don’t have to tolerate it. You can use this hidden flag to force the browser to revert to the classic, tried-and-true Tab Search layout.
How to Revert the Tab Search UI
You can force Chrome to disable the redesigned tab search interface via the experimental flags menu.
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click inside the main address bar at the top of the browser window.
- Type
chrome://flagsand press Enter. - On the “Experiments” page, use the search bar to look for Use the new Tab Search UI.
- If the flag is available, click the dropdown menu next to it and change it from “Default” (or Enabled) to Disabled.
- Click the blue Relaunch button at the bottom of the screen.
Upon restarting, clicking the Tab Search icon will launch the older, classic version of the dropdown menu, removing the newer design elements and restoring your familiar workflow.