Google frequently updates the minimum system requirements for the Chrome web browser. For example, if you are running an older operating system like Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or macOS High Sierra, Google Chrome will refuse to update past a specific version. Worse, every time you open the browser, Chrome will inject a permanent, highly annoying banner at the very top of your screen that says: “To get future Google Chrome updates, you’ll need Windows 10 or later.”
If you have an old laptop that physically cannot be upgraded to a newer operating system, this permanent banner wastes valuable vertical screen space and is visually distracting. While you cannot magically force Google to give you the newest browser updates, you can safely bypass and hide this nagging “Unsupported OS” warning so you can continue using your old computer in peace.
How to Safely Bypass the Chrome Unsupported OS Warning
You must modify the Google Chrome startup shortcut to disable the version-checking banner.
For Windows Users:
- Locate the Google Chrome shortcut icon on your Desktop (or right-click the icon in your Start Menu and select “Open file location”).
- Right-click the Chrome shortcut icon and select Properties.
- Look at the box labeled Target. It will show the file path, ending with
chrome.exe". - Click inside the Target box and press the ‘End’ key on your keyboard to move your cursor to the very end of the text.
- Press the Spacebar once, and carefully type the following exact command:
--disable-infobars - Click Apply and then OK. (You may need to provide administrator permission).
- Close Chrome entirely and launch it using this modified shortcut. The banner will be permanently suppressed.
For Mac Users:
On macOS, you cannot easily edit shortcuts. You must use the Terminal to launch Chrome without the banner.
- Open the Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
- Carefully copy and paste the following exact command:
/Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --disable-infobars & - Press Enter. Chrome will launch instantly, and the unsupported OS warning will be completely hidden.