Update To Google Chrome 116 With Faster Security Updates

Google Chrome has been updated to version 116 for select users as part of the “Early Stable Channel” release. To be precise, the exact build number is 116.0.5845.82 for Windows and Mac devices. This means that all Chrome users will receive the update soon.

If you didn’t already know, after Chrome 110, Google decided to prerelease the next Chrome versions to a handful of users for pre-release beta testing. This leaves room for improvement before the actual stable release which is expected only a week later.

Since this is an early release, Google did not publish any release notes. However, they did release a statement on making changes to the biweekly security updates that minorly upgraded Chrome’s build number. More on this ahead.

Latest Google Chrome Versions

Chrome 116 release summary

• Release Build:
  • Windows/Mac: 116.0.5845.82
  • Android: 116.0.5845.78
• Release Date: Wednesday, August 9th, 2023
• Compatibility: Windows 11, 10 (32-bit and 64-bit), Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android.
• Previous Build: 115.0.5790.90

New in Chrome 116

Weekly security updates

Before Chrome 16, Google published security updates for the Chrome browser on a bi-weekly basis, which was every two weeks. However, in their security announcement, they now p[lan to switch to a weekly schedule for releasing security updates.

This would mean that you can now upgrade your Chrome version (while remaining within the same major version) on a weekly basis, which would install the latest security patches and mitigate any vulnerabilities. The major version upgrade for CHrome will remain on a 4-week schedule.

Before Chrome version 77, Google published security updates every 35 days. After Chrome 77, they switched to a bi-weekly schedule to mitigate the risk of zero-day exploits. However, with the advancement of both skills and technology on the hacker’s end, they are now shifting to a weekly security release.

That said, Google has a message for Chrome’s users:

Not all security bug fixes are used for n-day exploitation. But we don’t know which bugs are exploited in practice, and which aren’t, so we treat all critical and high severity bugs as if they will be exploited. A lot of work goes into making sure these bugs get triaged and fixed as soon as possible. Rather than having fixes sitting and waiting to be included in the next bi-weekly update, weekly updates will allow us to get important security bug fixes to you sooner, and better protect you and your most sensitive data.

Google

In translation, Google means to say there is no point for a vulnerability to remain unpatched even when discovered and fixed. Weekly updates will help deliver the security patches faster, giving the attackers less time to exploit them.

With that, Google reminds its users to keep on the lookout and update their browsers as soon as one is available. You will be notified about an available update in the browser’s top-right corner, as in the image below.

One Time Permissions

Google is working on a permission dialog box that will enable you to allow certain permissions only one time. The option to select “Allow this time” is being added to the dialog box with Chrome 116.

These are the 3 options that users will now see and choose from:

• Allow this time: Temporarily allow.
• Allow on every visit: Persistent allow.
• Don’t allow: Persistent block.
• Clicking the “x” button: Temporary block.

Update to Chrome 116

Google Chrome is configured to be updated automatically by default. You can keep browsing the internet while Chrome downloads the newest version for you. It gets installed when you restart the browser.

If you already have Google Chrome installed on your computer, then updating it would be easy. Follow the guide below to update your existing Chrome browser to version 116.

Note: At the moment, the upgrade will only take place if you are a part of the Extended Stable Channel release. There is no way to check except for checking for the available update using these steps.

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the ellipses (3 dots) in the top-right corner.

   

2. Expand Help and click “About Google Chrome.”

   

3. Once the update is complete, click “Relaunch.”

   

   As soon as the About page opens, the browser will start searching for an update and automatically download it. Once it is ready to install, you will be presented with a Relaunch button. Click Relaunch.

   Note: The browser closes when you click Relaunch and then reopens, restoring all closed tabs.

The browser will now close and reopen. Once it does, you can navigate to the About Google Chrome page again and confirm that it has indeed been updated.

There are a few different methods that can also be used to update your Chrome browser to the latest version, including:

• Update using Google update
• Use the downloaded Chrome installer
• Using Ninite
• Download Chrome without using a browser

You can learn more about these methods in this guidepost.

You may also download the Chrome browser from the links below if you do not already have it.

Note: You may go through the Google Chrome updates blog to check the upcoming features in the beta and dev channels which will then be released to the upcoming version of Chrome 116 next month.

That said, at the moment, you cannot install Chrome 115 using standalone installers.

How to uninstall Google Chrome

On a Windows PC, you can uninstall Google Chrome from the settings app, and the Programs & Features applet.

From the Settings app

1. Navigate to the installed apps tab.

   • In Windows 11:

     Settings app >> Apps >> Installed Apps

   • In Windows 10:

     Settings app >> Apps

2. Search for “Google Chrome.”

3. Click on the 3 dots in front of “Google Chrome.”

   

   On Windows 11, click on the ellipses (3 dots) in front of Chrome.

   On Windows 10, click on “Google Chrome” to expand it.

4. Click Uninstall.

   

5. Click Uninstall again.

   

From Programs and Features

1. Open the Programs and Features applet by typing in “appwiz.cpl” in the Run Command box.

   

2. Double-click “Google Chrome” from the list.

   

   Alternatively, right-click Chrome and then click Uninstall from the context menu.

Google Chrome will now be removed from your PC.

Google Chrome Releases Version History