source: this person on reddit, basically just a cli shortcut but the Chrome Flags method no longer works
- Chrome must be closed.
- Right-click the Chrome icon on the taskbar, the bottom 2 options will say: Google Chrome, Unpin from taskbar
- Right-click the "Google Chrome" text > click on Properties.
- A window will open with 6 tabs, click on "Shortcut" tab.
- On the "Target" field, add --disable-features=CustomizeChromeSidePanel after the quotations.
- It should look like "C:...\chrome.exe" --disable-features=CustomizeChromeSidePanel
- Press "Apply" > close window.
- This will make Chrome apply these settings when the shortcut is clicked. Repeat this process for other Chrome shortcuts that you commonly use (start menu, desktop)