I needed to silently deploy a Chrome extension and force it enabled.
Normally when needing to push out or otherwise manage Chrome settings I would use the Google Chrome ADMX templates to define some Group Policy Objects. For example I could have used the “Configure the list of force-installed apps and extensions” GPO to push out the extension. However on this occasion I also needed to deploy to some client that are not domain joined.
Solution was to deploy a registry key, I used my MDM solution but you equally cloud use a script or whatever,
First you will need the ID for the extension you can either get this from the URL when viewing the extension of the Chrome Web Store
![](https://geekshangout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/deploy_chrome_extesion_01-1024x415.png)
Of if you have the extension installed somewhere you can visit chrome://extensions on that computer. Toggle on “Developer mode” in the top right and you will see the ID
![](https://geekshangout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/deploy_chrome_extesion_02.png)
Via whatever method you choose create a String registry key under HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionInstallForcelist to silently install the required Extension ID
![](https://geekshangout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/deploy_chrome_extesion_03-1024x379.png)
![](https://geekshangout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/deploy_chrome_extesion_04-1024x501.png)
The REG_SZ value name needs to be a number. I choose an random number of 5, it just needs to be a number not currently in use
The REG_SZ data value is made up the extension id semicolon followed by an update URL of https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx
For example;
ppnbnpeolgkicgegkbkbjmhlideopiji;https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx
Once set/deployed the extension should be silently installed and forced on so the user can’t disable it. You can check by visiting chrome://extensions
![](https://geekshangout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/deploy_chrome_extesion_05-1024x368.png)
What could be the cause, mine is not installing. I followed the instructions and steps but doesn’t install after restarting chrome. I’m using Windows 10 64bits
Hi,
What if the file is in the local file system? Who do I need to add its location, please?
Using Wow6432Node path worked!