stream deck open chrome window for a specific user profile

3 min read 07-03-2025

The Stream Deck is a powerful tool for streamlining workflows. But did you know you can use it to open a Chrome window for a specific user profile? This can be incredibly useful if you switch between personal and work accounts frequently. This guide will show you how to set this up, along with troubleshooting tips.

Why Open a Specific Chrome Profile with Your Stream Deck?

Managing multiple Chrome profiles can be a hassle. Switching between personal and professional accounts constantly disrupts workflow. A Stream Deck button dedicated to launching a specific profile solves this problem. You can instantly access your work email, documents, or personal social media, all with a single button press.

Setting up Your Stream Deck for Chrome Profile Launch

Here's a step-by-step guide to configure your Stream Deck to open a Chrome window for a specific user profile:

1. Identify Your Profile Path

First, you need to locate the path to your desired Chrome user profile. This path is unique to each profile.

Windows: The profiles are usually located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data. Each profile will be in a folder named "Profile 1," "Profile 2," and so on. Find the correct folder for the profile you want to launch. Note the full path.
macOS: Chrome profiles reside in ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/. Similar to Windows, other profiles may be named "Profile 1," etc. Find your target profile and note its path.

2. Create a Batch Script (Windows) or Shell Script (macOS)

You'll need a short script to launch Chrome with the specified profile.

Windows Batch Script:

Create a new text file, paste the following, and save it as a .bat file (e.g., open_work_profile.bat):

start chrome.exe --profile-directory="Profile Name"

Replace "Profile Name" with the actual name of your profile folder (e.g., "Profile 1"). The full path is not needed here. Make sure the chrome.exe path is correct; if not, you will need to add it to the script. This is usually found in C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application.

macOS Shell Script:

Create a new text file, paste the following, and save it as a .sh file (e.g., open_work_profile.sh):

open /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app --args --profile-directory="Profile Name"

Again, replace "Profile Name" with your profile's name.

3. Configure Your Stream Deck Button

Now, you'll link this script to your Stream Deck button.

Open Stream Deck Software: Launch the Elgato Stream Deck software.
Add a New Action: Click on an empty button on your Stream Deck.
Select "Open Application": Choose this action from the available options.
Browse to Your Script: Locate and select the .bat (Windows) or .sh (macOS) file you created.
Save and Test: Save the settings. Press the button on your Stream Deck to test the functionality.

Troubleshooting Tips

Incorrect Profile Path: Double-check the profile name in your script. A slight typo will prevent it from working.
Script Permissions: On macOS, ensure the script has the correct execution permissions. Right-click the script, select "Get Info," and check the "execute" box.
Chrome Location: If Chrome isn't launching, verify that the path to chrome.exe (Windows) or /Applications/Google Chrome.app (macOS) is correct in your script.
Multiple Chrome Installations: If you have multiple Chrome versions installed, the script might be launching the wrong one. Verify you're targeting the correct installation path.

Enhancements and Additional Tips

Multiple Profiles: Create separate scripts and Stream Deck buttons for each profile you need to access quickly.
Custom Icons: Add custom icons to your Stream Deck buttons for better visual identification.
Error Handling: For more advanced users, consider adding error handling to your scripts to provide feedback if something goes wrong.

By following these steps, you can dramatically improve your workflow by launching specific Chrome profiles directly from your Stream Deck. Enjoy the efficiency!