TL;DR
To reopen your last Chrome session after a restart, first try Ctrl + Shift + T on Windows/Linux or Command + Shift + T on Mac. For automatic recovery in the future, go to Chrome Settings → On startup → Continue where you left off. If the previous window no longer appears in Recently closed, use History to recover individual pages.
Restarted your computer and opened Chrome to an empty window? In many cases, your previous tabs are still recoverable. Chrome can restore an entire recently closed window, reopen tabs one by one, or automatically resume your last session every time the browser starts.
Fastest way to restore your last Chrome session
Start with Chrome’s reopen shortcut:
| System | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Windows / Linux | Ctrl + Shift + T |
| Mac | Command + Shift + T |
Press it once after Chrome opens. If Chrome still remembers the window you closed before restarting, it can restore that window with its tabs. Press the shortcut repeatedly if several tabs or windows were closed.
Method 1: Use Continue where you left off
If you normally want Chrome to reopen the same pages after you close the browser or restart your computer, enable its startup restore setting:
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three-dot menu.
- Select Settings.
- Open On startup.
- Select Continue where you left off.
Google documents this setting as the option that tells Chrome to reopen the same pages you were viewing when you quit. It is convenient for day-to-day continuity, but it should not be treated as a permanent archive of important tabs.
Method 2: Check Recently closed
If the shortcut does not restore the window you need, open Chrome’s recent-session list. Depending on your version, you can find recently closed tabs and windows through the History menu or Tab Search.
Look for an entry representing a complete window or group of tabs. Opening that entry can be faster than recovering every page individually.
Method 3: Recover pages from Chrome History
If Chrome no longer has the old window as a restorable session, open History with Ctrl + H on Windows/Linux or Command + Y on Mac. Search for page titles, domains, or keywords you remember.
History is less convenient than a one-click session restore, but it can still recover individual sites after Chrome’s recent-session buffer has moved on.
Why Chrome sometimes does not restore the old session
Session recovery is not guaranteed forever. A session can become unavailable after multiple browser launches, profile changes, cleared browsing data, crashes, or other changes that replace Chrome’s recent-session state. Incognito tabs also are not designed to persist after the private session ends.
A safer way to keep tabs you actually need
There is an important difference between recovering tabs and saving tabs. Chrome’s session restore is useful when something closes unexpectedly. For pages you know you want later, save them deliberately.
Chrome’s saved tab groups and bookmarks can handle this. If you want a more structured workflow, Keeply lets you move open tabs into named collections and workspaces, save all open tabs, and search those saved links later. That makes it useful for project tabs that should survive beyond a single browser session.
What to use in each situation
| Situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Chrome just closed or restarted | Ctrl/Command + Shift + T |
| You want automatic reopening every launch | Continue where you left off |
| You lost one known page | Chrome History |
| You want a project group to persist | Saved tab group |
| You want organized long-term tab storage | Keeply collections/workspaces |
For more recovery options, see how to reopen closed tabs in Chrome. If you want to prevent the problem before shutting down, read how to save tabs before closing Chrome.
Frequently asked questions
How do I restore all Chrome tabs after restarting?
Try Ctrl + Shift + T on Windows/Linux or Command + Shift + T on Mac. If Chrome still has the previous window in its recent-session state, the shortcut can restore the window and its tabs.
How can I make Chrome always reopen my previous tabs?
Open Settings, choose On startup, then select Continue where you left off.
Can Chrome restore tabs after a computer crash?
Often yes, but not always. Try the reopen shortcut, Recently closed, and History. If Chrome’s session data was replaced or cleared, the complete old session may no longer be recoverable.
Does Chrome save Incognito tabs after restart?
No. Incognito sessions are intended to end when their private windows are closed, so you should not rely on session recovery for those tabs.
Is restoring a session the same as saving tabs?
No. Session restore is temporary recovery. Saving tabs to bookmarks, saved groups, or a tab manager gives you a more deliberate way to keep them for later.
