How to Restore the Full URL in Chrome's Address Bar: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever noticed that Chrome sometimes hides the "https://" or "www." part of a website address in the address bar? This can be frustrating, especially when you need to see the full URL for security or troubleshooting purposes. This article will guide you through various methods to restore the full URL in Chrome, ensuring you always have complete visibility of the website address.

Why Does Chrome Hide Parts of the URL?

Chrome's developers implemented this feature to simplify the browsing experience and declutter the address bar. The idea was to focus on the core domain name, making it easier for users to identify the website they're visiting. However, this simplification can sometimes be detrimental, as it hides valuable information about the website's protocol (https for secure sites, http for non-secure) and subdomain.

Method 1: The "Always Show Full URLs" Option (Chrome version 83+)

The easiest and most straightforward way to display the full URL is through Chrome's built-in setting:

• Right-click inside the address bar.
• Select "Always show full URLs" in the context menu.

If you don't see this option:

1. Type chrome://flags into the address bar and press Enter.
2. Search for "Show full URL".
3. Enable the flag and restart Chrome.

This method should ensure that you always see the full URL, including the protocol and subdomain.

Method 2: Using Command Line Switches

This method involves modifying the Chrome shortcut to include specific commands that disable the URL hiding feature.

1. Find the Chrome shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.

2. Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties".

3. In the "Target" field, add the following command after the existing path (make sure there's a space before the command):

   --disable-features=OmniboxUIExperimentHideSteadyStateUrlScheme,OmniboxUIExperimentHideSteadyStateUrlTrivialSubdomains,OmniboxUIExperimentHideFileUrlScheme

4. Click "Apply" and then "OK".

5. Restart Chrome using the modified shortcut.

This method disables the specific features responsible for hiding the URL scheme (http/https) and trivial subdomains (like "www").

Method 3: Installing the "Suspicious Site Reporter" Extension

This might seem counterintuitive, but installing Google's own "Suspicious Site Reporter" extension can also force Chrome to display the full URL.

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for "Suspicious Site Reporter".
2. Click "Add to Chrome" to install the extension.

Chrome/Chromium explicitly checks if this extension is installed and enabled, and toggles the URL elision feature accordingly.

Method 4: Creating a Custom Extension (Advanced)

If you prefer not to install the official "Suspicious Site Reporter" extension, you can create a minimal extension that achieves the same result.

1. Create a new folder on your computer.

2. Inside the folder, create a new text file named manifest.json.

3. Copy and paste the following code into the manifest.json file:

   {
     "name": "Keep full URL",
     "description": "Prevent elision of www and other trivial subdomains in the address bar",
     "version": "1.0",
     "manifest_version": 2,
     "key": "MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEAowA8wOUQ8ShyITJ15B9rcJrnoolyo+OLj07g8QWBlEBikgszYwlbc88OIRL+dJOASok3yG6RQ60fvIjBrtNEk1yQZJfNwF/CN0jFrkE3HN3xVMoX0XIQPB93kDZARcfR5nwU3RUgwwWGTqt69KSSU8QzRRQJSEgM8GENa3OBhw1UBn/I/RbhaFcTykJSomo9j55goJwNzUhXTJk458DQ5diY+gWMadDXlDBa8cciCVlaGOjBV5ezmxnD6p1GXhrvyEKZP8IlreDJC2Nw9hxrT3GIo1FzbmeDPANKJ9pkY1H3LOVsGJDtytBpD/FRErlvfkJVqp3N5ifF2EQ8lOAHrQIDAQAB"
   }
   

4. Save the manifest.json file.

5. Open chrome://extensions in Chrome.

6. Enable "Developer mode" in the top right corner.

7. Click "Load unpacked" and select the folder you created.

This extension uses the same ID as the Google's official extension, effectively achieving the same result.

Method 5: Double-Clicking the URL Bar

This is the simplest workaround. Double-clicking the URL bar will temporarily reveal the full URL. However, it reverts to the shortened version once you navigate away or interact with the page.

Why is Seeing the Full URL Important?

• Security: Knowing the full URL helps you verify that you are indeed on the intended website and not a phishing site trying to impersonate it.
• Troubleshooting: Full URLs are essential when reporting website issues or sharing specific page addresses with others.
• Transparency: Seeing the full URL provides a more transparent view of the website's structure and how it organizes its content.

Conclusion

While Chrome's attempt to simplify the address bar is understandable, many users prefer to see the full URL for various reasons. By using one of the methods described above, you can easily customize Chrome to display the complete website address, ensuring a more informative and secure browsing experience.