Setting Up The Arc Browser: Step-by-Step Guide For 2024

Windows 11 offers a variety of web browsers to choose from, despite Microsoft’s efforts to promote Microsoft Edge. But there’s a fresh contender in the browser arena called “Arc” that seeks to revolutionize your internet browsing experience.

What is the Arc Browser?

Arc, the latest addition to the web browsing world, is brought to you by the Browser Company. It’s not your typical browser though. It stands out with its unique design featuring vertical tabs on the sidebar, which many users find helpful for staying organized (not me though). With Arc, you have the freedom to group, folder, and customize your tabs with various color schemes.

But that’s not all! The Arc browser goes beyond just browsing. It offers a scrapbook tool and a feature to personalize websites, almost like a whole new operating system for the internet. (These are features that Windows users don’t have yet.)

Here’s the cherry on top: Arc, unlike Chrome, doesn’t track your every move online for various purposes like targeted ads or product improvement. It’s built on the Chromium engine, just like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, but the company assures that your browsing history and searches remain private, similar to Brave and DuckDuckGo browsers.

How to install the Arc Browser?

To get started with the Arc browser on Windows, simply head over to the official download page and grab the standalone installer. Just give it a double-click, and voila! The browser will take care of the installation process for you.

How to navigate the Arc Browser?

Arc stands out with its minimalistic interface, which sets it apart from other browsers. Instead of the traditional layout, this application utilizes vertical tabs and omits the address bar. This design choice maximizes the horizontal space available for viewing webpages and promotes better organization.

Arc, like all other Chromium-based browsers, offers split view functionality located in the top-right corner.

You won’t see an address bar here if you’re looking for one, especially on Windows. The macOS edition has a compact address bar located on the sidebar. The website’s name is prominently displayed instead. By clicking on the site’s name, a floating command bar will pop up for you to search for the website or specific term you’re interested in.

Does the Arc Browser support extensions?

Arc is built on the Chromium browser, so it naturally comes with extension support. It actually supports all the extensions that are available for Google Chrome. To access the extensions, simply go to the main menu and select the “Add extension” option under the “Extensions” submenu. Alternatively, you can directly open the Chrome Web Store.

The installation process is identical to installing extensions on Chrome, where you only have to click the Install button. 

You can find the extensions in the menu called “Site Control Center” located next to the website name at the top of the screen. Alternatively, you can also access them through the “Manage extensions” option in the “Extensions” submenu.

What settings can i change in the Arc Browser?

Yes, just like with other browsers, Arc has a range of settings that you can adjust. You can get to the Settings page by using the “Ctrl +, (comma)” shortcut on your keyboard or by selecting the “Settings” option from the main menu.

On the main interface, you’ll find only a handful of settings for syncing your tabs and bookmarks across different devices. You can also pick the frame backdrop style. Opting for the “Mica” choice will bring the desktop colors into the application, whereas selecting “Acrylic” will give you a transparent blur effect.

The primary settings lack extensive customization choices, so you’ll need to go into the profile settings. Here, you can adjust the search engine and other search-related preferences.

You have the option to adjust the timing of the archive tabs and modify where downloads are saved.

There are additional settings available in the browser for privacy, notifications, passwords, and more, but these just redirect to the Chromium browser settings. (The inability to customize settings directly in the Arc interface can make the browser feel lacking.)

How to customise the appearance of the Arc Browser?

To customize the look of Arc, simply right-click on the empty area and choose the “Edit Theme Color” option. This browser offers a fantastic feature that allows you to switch between various color schemes, making it one of its standout qualities.

You have the option to toggle between the light and dark theme color schemes in the interface. Adjust the slider to customize the color intensity, and then select your preferred color scheme from the choices provided.

What are the Spaces in the Arc Browser?

In Arc, spaces are like profiles in other Chromium-based browsers. To make a new space, just tap on the “+” (Add) option in the bottom-right corner of the sidebar. When making a new space, you’ll need to give it a name, link it to the same or a different profile, pick a theme, and hit the “Create space” button.

Spaces offer the advantage of allowing you to neatly divide your online activities into different categories such as personal, work, or school.

You won’t see this feature in many other browsers – the ability to shift tabs between spaces. But it’s not always smooth sailing. If you’re working with two spaces that have different profiles, moving the tab might log you out of the site.

Should I switch to Arc from Chrome or Edge?

Although Arc presents an interesting concept, it fails to bring any groundbreaking innovations aside from a different appearance, a unique tab management system, and a few intriguing features that may not be frequently utilized.

Moreover, it seems like an incomplete application for Windows users at the moment, lacking many features available in the macOS version. Moreover, it poses a challenge for users due to its distinctive approach, making the initial experience less intuitive.

If you are fond of vertical tabs, you can enable this layout on Chrome and Edge. Similarly, if you appreciate the ability to customize the browser’s color scheme, Chrome offers themes, color adjustments, and the option to create personalized color schemes. Microsoft Edge also provides various color scheme choices, along with the option to download numerous themes from the store.

For those interested in “Boosts” on Chrome and Edge, extensions like Stylebot can be installed to modify the design of almost any website.

Personally, I use Edge, and based on its current state, I do not foresee switching my browser to Arc.

Leave a Comment

Share this