How-To: Install Chrome Extensions Manually, the New Way
Peter (@peterreiser) alerted me to a new feature of Google Chrome. Starting in Chrome 21, the browser will no longer allow installation of extensions via the .crx file.
Instead, you’ll get a message that extensions can only be installed from the Chrome Web Store. This is a bummer if you have an extension you built and want to deploy within an enterprise. Not all extensions are appropriate for external consumption, e.g. the WebCenter Chrome extension Rich (@rmanalan) and Anthony (@anthonyslai) built a couple years ago.
This is exactly how I discovered Chrome’s new feature. People are still using the WebCenter Chrome extension internally, and Peter ran into a user who hit a wall and didn’t know how to proceed.
Google added this feature as a security measure, but they also accounted for my use case.
You can still install extensions manually, but now to do so, you need to download the .crx file first, then drag and drop it onto the chrome://chrome/extensions/ page.
Yup, you read that right. That page has a sweet little HTML5 dropzone that lights up when you drag a .crx file onto it, and the rest is easy peasy.
Anyway, given how popular Chrome has become, I’m guessing someone out there will benefit from this tip.
Possibly Related Posts
- Chrome Extensions for Web Types
- Up Next, More Browser Tools for WebCenter Sharing
- Enhancing the WebCenter Chrome Extension
- Share to WebCenter Chrome Extension
- An Update to the WebCenter Chrome Extension
September 7th, 2012 at 3:07 am
thank you so much!
September 16th, 2012 at 3:48 am
Thank you thank you so much for this tip! you saved my chrome!
September 16th, 2012 at 7:23 am
Happy to help.
January 8th, 2013 at 10:06 am
i done same to install YouTube™ to MP3 Converter – Xenra.com 1.0.0 extension. it is now appearing in tools-> extension window but not appearing when i open you tube.. how to get this?
January 8th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Maybe YouTube is blocking it
February 5th, 2013 at 6:26 am
Someone did benefit from this… thanks a lot!
February 5th, 2013 at 9:49 am
I’m here to help.
February 16th, 2013 at 3:45 am
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March 14th, 2013 at 12:24 am
Salute! thanks man
April 9th, 2013 at 10:46 am
This doesn’t work anymore.
April 9th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
@Scooterbaga: Works exactly as described for me on Chrome 28.
April 27th, 2013 at 5:39 pm
Hi,
I’m dropping the .crx file into the box that appears on the extensions page but chrome is just adding it as a link to the website. The extension doesn’t ever get added.
Is there a way that I can add it manually?
April 27th, 2013 at 8:28 pm
@SysAdmin: No idea, did you try the Google for ideas?
April 28th, 2013 at 9:19 am
Hi Jake,
I saw online that you are involved with new application ideas. I am a business management student and I have an app concept to assist nonprofits how do I send it to you/Oracle? (I am not selling anything). I really only have email. Thanks for your time and consideration.
April 28th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
@Darrell: You’ll have to work through your local or regional Oracle PR.
April 29th, 2013 at 6:30 am
Thanks Jake! I’m in SO Cal and it got a bit vague as to where ANY PR contacts were on the website: can you give me a tad more direction for a good CA PR contact and I PROMISE I won’t muck up this thread anymore. Keep up the great work!
April 29th, 2013 at 7:17 am
@Darrell: Oracle is headquartered in the Bay Area. You’ll find the official contact points here:
http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/contact/index.html