How to make Chrome open a new window for external Links

google-chromeweb-browsingwindow-manager

As some people might know, the default behavior for external links of Google Chrome is quite bad. I'm using Spaces, and opening a link in some application outside of Google Chrome while being on a different Space than the last used window of Chrome results in Chrome switching to the last focused window.

This behavior is just bad.

I want to change this behavior. On Windows, this is possible: How can you configure Chrome to open new browser instances in new windows rather than in a tab?

Sadly, I don't think this is possible on OS X Snow Leopard.

I'm already using a tool called RCDefaultApps. This is a system-control panel where I can specify default applications for different protocols. It just lacks the feature to specify additional command line arguments for the default application.

Can anyone help me there? Every hacks (aside from creating a custom Chromium build) are acceptable.

Best Answer

You can try using the AppleScript found on this page.

I just tried it out and it perfectly works fine in Chrome 12.0.742.122.

It's extremely easy to set up:

  • download the Bundle archive
  • double click it to unpack it
  • double click on OpenUrlInNewChromeWindow
  • open Safari and set the new "Browser" as the default browser in the Preferences.

new default browser