How to disable "Search images with Google" opening in the side panel in Chrome
Since late May 2024, when using "Search images with Google" in Google Chrome,
what used to open in a new tab now appears in the right side panel... and it's Google Lens.
(Version 125.0.6422.77)
I think I fixed this before... Can we please stop this already!
Even after searching, I only found old methods like turning off "Enable Lens features in Chrome." from "chrome://flags." (This item is not available in the current version)
After some searching, I found a solution, so here's how to do it.
(Update) Here's how to revert "Search with Google Lens" in later versions
Solution
Modify the Chrome shortcut on your desktop.
Right-click and select 'Properties'.
Add --disable-features=LensStandalone to the end of 'Target'.
It should look like this.
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --disable-features=LensStandaloneSave the properties by clicking 'OK'.
Now, close all Chrome windows once, then launch it again from the shortcut.
"Search images with Google" now opens in a new tab!
Don't forget to restart Chrome.
Fixing the Taskbar
If Chrome is pinned to your taskbar, launching it from there next time will revert the changes, so
Unpin it once and then re-pin it.
If you have multiple accounts pinned to the taskbar
Unpin all of them once.
Click the gear icon (Manage profiles) from the account icon in the top right of Chrome.
From the '...' in the top right of the account you want to pin to the taskbar, click 'Edit'.
Turn on 'Create desktop shortcut' at the bottom.
Once created, add --disable-features=LensStandalone to the end of 'Target' in its properties.
It will look like this now.
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --profile-directory="Profile 0" --disable-features=LensStandalonePin the saved shortcut to the taskbar.
This is annoying, seriously, let's stop this.
Hope this reaches someone facing the same problem.
Comments
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Anonymous
This was truly helpful. Since a few days ago, it had become Lens, and I couldn't revert it no matter what, I was about to give up, but now I can search images like before, which is very convenient!
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Owner
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